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"A vivid portrait of a woman whose remarkable role and achievements in history have largely been relegated to the shadows... A fascinating read!" —Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday and The Ways We Hide From the USA Today bestselling author of The Engineer's Wife comes an incredible historical novel about the First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency. Socialite Edith Bolling has been in no hurry to find a new husband since she was widowed, preferring to fill her days with good friends and travel. But the enchanting courting of President Woodrow Wilson wins Edith over and she becomes the First Lady of the United States. The position is uncomfortable for the fiercely independent Edith, but she's determined to rise to the challenges of her new marriage—from the bloodthirsty press to the shadows of the first World War. Warming to her new role, Edith is soon indispensable to her husband's presidency. She replaces the staff that Woodrow finds distracting, and discusses policy with him daily. Throughout the war, she encrypts top- secret messages and despite lacking formal education becomes an important adviser. When peace talks begin in Europe, she attends at Woodrow's side. But just as the critical fight to ratify the treaty to end the war and create a League of Nations in order to prevent another, Woodrow's always-delicate health takes a dramatic turn for the worse. In her determination to preserve both his progress and his reputation, Edith all but assumes the presidency herself. Now, Edith must contend with the demands of a tumultuous country, the secrets of Woodrow's true condition, and the potentially devastating consequences of her failure. At once sweeping and intimate, The President's Wife is an astonishing portrait of a courageous First Lady and the sacrifices she made to protect her husband and her country at all costs.
Reviews with the most likes.
The President's Wife is “serious” but enjoyable historical fiction. The subject is fascinating yet little known (at least to me), and although the story moved slowly, I never lost interest.
Edith Galt Wilson was President Woodrow Wilson's second wife. Married during Wilson's first term as president, Edith became known as the “first female president” when she tried to protect her husband after a stroke. She assumed many of his duties as she tried to preserve his presidency and protect his health and legacy.
Most of my criticisms are of her life choices and not necessarily of the story. Their courtship was somewhat creepy, at least on the part of the President. And Edith's actions after his stroke were misguided at best. But the novel led me to understand the motivations behind these actions, and I was intrigued enough to read through to the end. Although I didn't always agree with Edith, I liked her and felt I understood why she acted as she did.
I would highly recommend this novel for anyone looking for thoughtful, well-written biographical fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel to read and review.