Ladies of Liberty

The Women Who Shaped Our Nation

By: Cokie Roberts

Narrated by: Cokie Roberts

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

In Founding Mothers, Cokie Roberts paid homage to the heroic women whose patriotism and sacrifice helped create a new nation. Now the number-one New York Times best-selling author and renowned political commentator - praised in USA Today as a "custodian of time-honored values" - continues the story of early America's influential women with Ladies of Liberty. In her "delightfully intimate and confiding" style ( Publishers Weekly), Roberts presents a colorful blend of biographical portraits and behind-the-scenes vignettes chronicling women's public roles and private responsibilities.

Recounted with the insight and humor of an expert storyteller and drawing on personal correspondence, private journals, and other primary sources - many of them previously unpublished - Roberts brings to life the extraordinary accomplishments of women who laid the groundwork for a better society. Almost every quotation here is written by a woman, to a woman, or about a woman.

From first ladies to freethinkers, educators to explorers, this exceptional group includes Abigail Adams, Margaret Bayard Smith, Martha Jefferson, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Monroe, Louisa Catherine Adams, Eliza Hamilton, Theodosia Burr, Rebecca Gratz, Louisa Livingston, Rosalie Calvert, Sacajawea, and others.

In a much-needed addition to the shelves of Founding Father literature, Roberts sheds new light on the generation of heroines, reformers, and visionaries who helped shape our nation, giving these ladies of liberty the recognition they so greatly deserve.

©2008 Cokie Roberts (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

Ladies of Iron Will

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Interesting stories about the founding of our country as told by the founders wives and daughters. It only increased my respect for Dolly Madison.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Ladies of Liberty?

The fact that women's charitable organizations had unmarried ladies be the treasurer so that a husband couldn't get his hands on their funds.

Which scene was your favorite?

Almost any scene with Dolly Madison.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Men of vision and women of fortitude.

Any additional comments?

Cokie Roberts does a great job narrating her work.

Great book

This book was incredibly interesting once I got over the monotonous voice of the author. I would have liked a more engaging narrator, luckily the subject was engaging and I loved the book. The four stars are because the narration took me a while to accept, not for the content of the book.

Never underestimate their power!

What a profoundly delightful account of the women & their experiences in the early years of our nation's youth. In light of the current political conflicts - it seems there is nothing new under the sun! Abigail Adams deserves credit for first calling out "fake news" and Dolly Madison honored as "Presidentess". I absolutely LOVED the accounts of their lives, their lives, their influence and LEADERSHIP as unsung heroines of America's founding and success!

Ladies of Liberty

A terrific listen full of interesting people and their stories. You'll realize how neglected women are in our history books.

Founding Fathers who married up

I've read bits and pieces of the contributions many women made at the founding of this Country. It was nice to see more of them in one place. I listened, & then bought the book for later reference.

Interesting perspective

A good source for understanding sacrifices endured by our country’s founding families. The Biblical axiom that “Suffering produces patience- patience produces character and character produces hope” is on ful display. A truly heroic age for all people of all political persuasions.

Wow..can not get enough!

What did you love best about Ladies of Liberty?

Okie does an amazing job weaving the lives from actual letters together to paint a full picture.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

You really get to know the Adams family and their dynamics from John's presidency to John Quincy's.

Which character – as performed by Cokie Roberts – was your favorite?

I smile now when I hear her voice. She is a wonderful story teller both in her writing a ready of it.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Louisa Adams who is married to John Quincy was quite a remarkable lady. She made a forty-day journey across war-ravaged Europe by coach in winter. Roving bands of stragglers and highwaymen filled her with "unspeakable terrors" for her son trying to get to John.

Fascinating listen !

Cokie brings history alive with many details not taught in American history classes. I loved listening to this book and learning more about the amazing women who were the Founding Mothers of our country! Wonderful and well written! Thank you Cokie!

loved it

Informative and entertaining. I hated turning it off when I had to do something else.

Informative

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Seemed more like an outline of the ladies and it was hard to follow. To be fair, I think I was looking for more of a story about the lives of these liberty ladies. Roberts did make the lives of Abigail and Louisa Adams as well as Dolly Madison interesting.