the woman who ran for president:the many lives of Victoria Woodhull
595952
I learned much from this book. I never knew as well as many others that a woman ran for President 1860. This Woodhull opened the door for woman rights.
She did a lot of things that was not very lady like. She did what she had to do.
Good reading.
3787353
This is a very well researched and written book about a woman who went from being a political and social elite in Washington DC to becoming a famous spy for the Confederacy during the Civil War.  She was a personal friend of President Buchanan and the Confederacy's President as well as many Democratic and Republican Members of Congress. Intelligent, articulate, fearless and outspoken Rose Greenhow led both a charmed life and one of great sorrow.  Unfortunately she was on the wrong side of history as an outspoken advocate and supporter of slavery, which proved to be her undoing.
2156378
A wonderful example that women today follow. Her book gives us an inside look at her daily life, along with her professional career. From her Miss America title, two days later, her first national press conference, her marriage, along with her two children, she's a powerful woman. Being as I enjoy pictures, one of the best portions of her life that she shares with us is the center of her book. This portion gives us a six page photographic view of her entire life.
3606328
Several books about Nancy Pelosi were rushed to print as soon as she became Speaker of the House in 2007; most are poorly written and thinly-researched.  This book, by contrast, provides careful, in-depth analysis of Pelosi's speakership and the nature of the House she led from 2007 through 2010.  It's a must-read for anyone interested in both her leadership and congressional politics in the early 21st century.  The book is academic, but readers less inclined towards academic research will still find the book approachable and compelling.
429867
Hillary Clinton's book is excellent. She reflected on what happened with humility and honesty. She is a public servant who is deeply concerned for our country and expresses those concerns with great hope as well.  She was often criticized as not being "warm" but her book shows her to be a woman of intelligence and warmth. She shares her life priorities of family, being a grandmother and how that helped her regain her equilibrium after such a huge loss. She showed me she is very like the rest of us but only with a higher profile career. It is obvious in reading her book that she is a deep thinker, brilliant, able to think about and respond to complex ideas, and has a long term commitment to issues of women and children. She was the target of lies and rumors for years. If a lie is repeated enough then people accept it as truth. How she was able to continue to be productive when facing such character assassination is beyond me. It shows the strength of her character that she could push them aside in order to be of service to her country. I predict that in a few years, history will be very kind to Hillary Clinton and will have a special place in history for her long term service and the good she did for America. I feel proud for what she did for all women in trying to break open the glass ceiling.
1162345
Disappointed by recent US political events, I decided to read about a "good" politician. I searched and settled on this book about an exceptional, fascinating, intelligent and talented woman. Highly recommended!
3376088
Thoroughly researched and presented in a highly readable format, DeRose tells the story of a congressional race between friends and future presidents James Madison and James Monroe. Throughout the narrative, DeRose masterfully brings to life the competing political interests that surrounded the founding of our nation and the stories of two men who were at front and center of the debate.  In an age where the public often hears the cliche that "elections have consequences," DeRose tells the story of an election that did have consequences reaching to the present. Therefore, this book can be highly recommeded to anyone with an interest in American history or politics.
893498
This memoir is a perfect blend of autobiographical information in the Bush political life, and the characteristic humor that defines the former First Lady. Mrs. Bush takes the reader through her early days, her courtship with the future President, and their lives all the way through the White House years. The book is part diary entry, part commentary, part, autobiography. It is a must read for any history buff, Bush fan, or any person who enjoys a light hearted read.
2184980
Primary sources are crucial to the study of history. In this work, Secretary Clinton provides a valuable insight into her experience during the 2016 Campaign for US President. She begins with a stark and heart breaking exposition on her experience as a woman in US politics and moves from phase to phase of her experience with a mixture of introspection and empirical analysis. As the person at the center of a historic moment, Clinton provides the reader anecdotes that were shared with others during the campaign and its aftermath, and goes beyond to provide an important gift to readers who look back at the election of 2016 and wonder....."What Happened".

Whether the reader agrees or disagrees with Secretary Clinton's politics or views, this book will become a primary resource for casual and academic scholars interested in Hillary Rodham Clinton's role in the history of the United States.
3105307
From start to finish,I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although I had followed Hillary Clinton's campaign trail via television bites and newspaper coverage, it is through Beth Harpaz's book that I learned about the missing links -- what it was really like behind-the-scenes and behind the headlines. The author's writing  style is smooth and fast paced, yet she manages to fit in an incredible amount of detail, insight and delightful (and often humorous) trivia about this historically significant race for the votes.  I also enjoyed Harpaz's honest accounts of her struggle to balance a rough reporter's working schedule with her equally challenging role of mother and wife. As I read each chapter, I felt like I was peeking into the press van's windows and seeing the truly human side of this type of adventure.  Highly recommended.
408684
Well written, and interesting account of the 2008 Democratic Primary, in which the party "leaders" sandbagged the historic presidential run of Hillary Clinton.  The book contains the authors personal story of dealing with misogyny over her lifetime, but the main thrust details what it was like to be a Hillary supporter in 2008, to see the media degrade her and her supporters.  It also looks at how women on both the conservative and liberal sides have been the victims of media misogyny for far too long.  Beautifully done, I couldn't put it down, and highly recommend it!
3693258
A great read for those interested in the many sides of her story.
2288005
ELEANOR AND HICK: THE LOVE AFFAIR THAT SHAPED A FIRST LADY.

Thats one eye-catching title, isn't it? It certainly captured my attention. With all the fuss now, with some politicians acting like LGBTQ people aren't even human, its amazing to look back in history and see that Eleanor Roosevelt might have had an intimate relationship with Lorena Hickok. They certainly loved each other emotionally, and their letters suggest there was a physical component to their relationship, but well never know for sure.

ELEANOR AND HICK was an interesting read for me. I read some aloud to my mother, who isn't a book or history person, and she found it interesting as well. The author doesnt just focus on Eleanor and Hick. This is more a narrative of Eleanors years as First Lady and after, the impact she had and the work she did. Included in that narrative is information on the rise of women in the Democratic party, the presidency and policies of FDR, and the many influential women Eleanor knew.  The author did hop around a bit chronologically, which could be confusing.

The real brilliance of this book for me was the information on Hick. Hicks been somewhat lost to history, which is a tragedy, because she did a lot of good stuff. She was the top female reporter of her day, but her relationship with Eleanor overshadowed the rest of her life. After she quit the AP, she never knew if she got a job because of her skills or because she was Eleanors friend.

All the additional narrative in the book helps provide a clear picture of those years, but I would have preferred a tighter focus on Eleanor and Hicks relationship. In particular, I expected to see more of their letters quoted in the book. I didn't feel like the author convinced me either way that they had a true love affair. However, I could see the shaping that Hick had on Eleanor, as Hick encouraged her to write the My Day column, to find purpose after FDRs death, etc.

Overall, ELEANOR AND HICK read more like a dual biography for me than the exploration of a love affair.
4452020
As Teddy Roosevelt's oldest child, Alice was introduced to the lifestyles of the rich and politically well-connected early on in her life. She never got over living in the White House. To read her correspondence on the subject, it was forever hers. Alice was a diva. She was the original "it's all about me" celebutant. Very few people ever denied her, and when they did, woe be unto them.

She was married to the Speaker of the House, had a child by a distinguished senator from Idaho and held political sway over the inner circles of Washington, D.C. until her death in 1980.

Stacy Cordery's new biography is voluminous, coming in at 608 pages, not including the references and bibliography. Cordery has done a thorough and sincere job, but even her meticulous efforts can't make "Princess Alice," as she was called, a likable creature. She may have been admirable from afar, but up close and personal, she was selfish, self-centered and hated sharing the spotlight with anyone.
2916129
I enjoyed this book immensely and it's unfortunate that the former First Lady's life was not described as it is in this book when she was in office. Sitting presidents typically get a bad press and public reaction to Bush was negative. It would have boosted the Bush family image if some of the details of this book, without compromising national security, were promoted to the press. For example, I was amazed to see the detail of trips that Laura Bush made to Afghanistan.

After a rather boring and normal life as a teacher, Laura Bush meets George. This is when the book takes off.

She tells us about how she felt at the end of the day. How she went beyond merely encouraging education to start literary conferences, even inspiring Putin's wife to do likewise.  Her fun on the Bush Ranch and at Camp David add insights into Laura Bush's family life.  Her relationship with her parents-in-law shows great respect.

The researchers, writers and publishers created a great portrait and a highly readable biography.
3103009
1920, especially its presidential election, was a signpost for the modern era.

Contestants included six men who either became president (Warren Harding, his running mate Calvin Coolidge, primary candidate Herbert Hoover, 1920 vice presidential candidate Franklin Roosevelt) a former president who wanted to return (Teddy Roosevelt) and the current president who wanted to keep, then regain the White House despite debilitating health (Woodrow Wilson).

The era saw its first signs of minority politics and empowerment as women got the vote (a concept both parties fought, then fought for credit when passed.) African-Americans asserted themselves economically and politically (through the brief rise of Marcus Garvey) despite vehement race-baiting throughout the campaign. The country also attempted, at times brutally, to purge the national effects of rum (the Volstead act, introducing Prohibition) Romanism (a Naval scandal involving homosexuality and exploitation of young men) and rebellion ranging from eloquent third-party Soviet sympathizers like Socialist Euegene Debs to  anarchists like infamous Italian immigrants Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.

Historian David Pietruska organizes "1920: The Year of the Six Presidents," around an engrossing, detailed map of the election's personalities, issues, and events. Starting from outside a circle  working into the campaign middle, he vectors pre-1920 biographies of idealistic, arrogant Wilson, then-beloved Hoover who fed millions after the end of the Great War, handsome political/personal rogue Franklin Roosevelt, taciturn, businesslike Coolidge (whom Pietruska seems to respect most) and the already-legendary Teddy Roosevelt who, before dying in early 1920, wanted his brand of progressivism and national sovereignty to replace Wilson's overriding commitment to the League of Nations.

But Warren Harding, whose brief presidential term rarely receives history class mention, arises as the star of Pietruska's book and the best example of his research. Helped by strategist Harry Daugherty, Harding takes a middle-of-the road path to election: not offending supporters of other candidates and realizing "normalcy," not vision, was needed after the Great War and its subsequent internal strife. "The best of the second-raters," as Harding is called during the convention, proves good enough.

Pietruska wisely allows women, especially those close to power, to share 1920's election stage. Edith Wilson guards access to her husband, becoming "America's first female president" when he's incapacitated. "Dutchess" Florence Harding supports husband Warren by building a near business-like relationship even as Harding has affairs, fathers children out of wedlock, deals with vicious, racist rumors of his ancestry and even foreshadows his fate. Eleanor Roosevelt knew even in 1920 husband Franklin's relationship with secretary Missy LeHand rendered their marriage more political  than romantic. (You can draw lines to a more recent presidency where husband and wife appeared to share power despite publicized marital difficulty.)

Pietruska starts "1920" introducing his cast, then concludes by updating timelines even of his minor if interesting players (writers H.L. Menken and Edna Ferber, opposing presidential candidate James Cox, even the Chicago and San Francisco auditoriums hosting each party's convention). His empathy and attention to detail caps "1920," a savory look at often unsavory characters in an neglected American era. Recommended.
3572271
I revisited this autobiography after the unfortunate passing of Mrs. Graham.  Her insights to government business and the media has served as an invaluable reference as I teach U.S. Government and AP Government and Politics to high school seniors.  Her anecdotal stories served to make the story of her marriage to the Washington Post most interesting. Her story-telling style indicates a woman who might have been approachable, and in turn, insightful to the needs and wants of many of the folks who worked for the Post.
However, there were two underlying themes that remind the reader that she was from another social strata.  The first was her incessant name dropping and the fact that she was clueless to the dynamics of her marriage.
I have only two criticisms: the name dropping and her acknowledgment of the fact that she had never ironed an article of clothing.  Although it may be true, that is not something of which I would boast, or even admit.