First Ladies: The Saga of the Presidents' Wives and Their Power, 1961-1990

From Publishers Weekly This second in the two-volume study of the presidents' wives begins with the White House years of Jacqueline Kennedy. In accenting the virtues of this former first lady, delete? she is well known for so many, more sensational things!/the book goes into the refurbishing in great detail, which is why the reviewer mentions it--but your point is well taken and we've deleted.gs Anthony brings to light her little-noted but considerable influence on diplomatic and political events. The author studies his subjects in greater depth in this volume than in the first, as he follows the life of each of the seven female incumbents of the last three decades. A sense of intimacy and a behind-the-scenes flavor is embellished by the author's access to private papers, which alsothe sense of intimacy and the behind-the-scenes flavor reveal relationships?/that should fix it.gs reveal relationships that continue among first ladies. These mini-biographies serve to raise consciousness about the vastok that "extensive" used in last review? contributions made by these women in their secondary roles. usage is wrong, the history is neither tailored to each individual reader, nor filtered by author's personal experience (reviewer has just called book "objective")--what is reviewer trying to say?/I've deleted; we don't need that sentence.gs Photos not seen by PW . Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library Journal This reviewer commented enthusiastically upon the first volume of this stylish work ( LJ 8/90), which now concludes with an insider's look at the power and influence of the most recent First Ladies: Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Patricia Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, and Barbara Bush. Kennedy translated the largely symbolic First Ladyship into a visible and potent unelected office, "potentially the most powerful 'appointed' post in the federal government." Those who followed adopted this activist view, expanding and embellishing their roles energetically, wisely, and successfully. Private papers, personal photographs, and interviews with the First Ladies enliven this brilliantly accessible, definitive history. Anthony's engaging writing style makes this an entertaining reading experience. Highly recommended for most libraries.