Edith Kermit Roosevelt: Creating the Modern First Lady (Modern First Ladies)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.35 (664 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 070061902X |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 176 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-04-02 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
All those interested in how the role of the presidential wife has evolved will find in this stimulating book a major contribution to the literature on a fascinating president. It also brings to life a first lady whose legacy must now be seen in a more nuanced and challenging light.. His sprightly retelling of her White House years will likely provoke controversy and debate. While many who knew her found her inspiring and gracious, family members also recalled a more astringent and sometimes nasty personality. Few first ladies have enjoyed a better reputation among historians than Edith Kermit Roosevelt. Gould looks beneath the surface of her life to examine the intricate legacy of her tenure from 1901 to 1909.The narrative in this book thus uncovers much new about Edith Roosevelt. Lewis Gould's path-breaking study, however, presents a more complex and interesting figure than the somewhat secularized saint Edith Roosevelt has become in the literature on first ladies. Far from being averse to activism, Edith Roosevelt served as a celebrity sponsor at a New York musical benefit and also intervened in a high-profile custody dispute. Gould traces her role in the failed marriage of a United States senator, her efforts to secure the ambassador from Great Britain that she wanted, and the growing tension between her and Helen Taft in 1908-1909. Most important of all, Gould reveals the first lady's deep animus toward African Americ
Sean Gardner said Great book. Great book, received the book with no problem.. Great bio I enjoyed reading Lewis Gould's brief, but insightful biography on Edith Roosevelt. I found myself reading the historiography more intently than the actual chapters. He provided concise paths to find more information on the woman who was constantly in TR's shadow.. A Major Book on a Major First Lady The works of Lewis L. Gould, one of our leading scholars of the presidency, are particularly distinguished for their depth of manuscript research. This new book about Edith Kermit Roosevelt is no exception. The volume combines lively writing with probing interpretations grounded upon the surviving records. It delves into Edith Kermit Roosevelt's many roles behind the scenes, along with such key matters as her husband's decision not to run again in 1908. Crucially, the book also discusses her possible role as enabler in the administration's more regrettable racial policies. Despite this scar, the Ro
Lewis L. . Gould’s other books include The Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt; Four Hats in the Ring: The 1912 Election and the Birth of Modern American Politics; Helen Taft: Our Musical First Lady; and The Modern American Presidency
Although never a political junkie, she held vigorous—not necessarily just—opinions and was able to exert considerable influence over an adoring husband. --Margaret Flanagan . Although greatly overshadowed by the long historical shadow cast by niece-in-law Eleanor Roosevelt, Edith’s legacy included modernizing and expanding the role of the presidential spouse. In reality, according to the letters and journal entries Gould mines, she could be a bit of a tartar. Because her marriage to Theodore Roosevelt was rock solid, and he