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First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies
First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies | Kate Andersen Brower
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the groundbreaking backstairs look at the White House, The Residence, comes an intimate, news-making look at the true modern power brokers at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: the First Ladies, from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama.One of the most underestimated and challenging positions in the world, the First Lady of the United States must be many things: an inspiring leader with a forward-thinking agenda of her own; a savvy politician, skilled at navigating the treacherous rapids of Washington; a wife and mother operating under constant scrutiny; and an able CEO responsible for the smooth operation of countless services and special events at the White House. Now, as she did in her smash #1 bestseller The Residence, former White House correspondent Kate Andersen Brower draws on a wide array of untapped, candid sources from residence staff and social secretaries to friends and political advisers to tell the stories of the ten remarkable women who have defined that role since 1960.Brower offers new insights into this privileged group of remarkable women, including Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Patricia Nixon, Betty Ford, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama. The stories she shares range from the heartwarming to the shocking and tragic, exploring everything from the first ladies political crusades to their rivalries with Washington figures; from their friendships with other first ladies to their public and private relationships with their husbands. She also offers a detailed and insightful new portrait of one of the most-watched first ladies of all time, Hillary Clinton, asking what her tumultuous years in the White House may tell us about her own historic presidential run . . . and what life could be like with the nation s first First Husband.Candid and illuminating, this first group biography of the modern first ladies provides a revealing look at life upstairs and downstairs at the world s most powerful address."
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JenReadsAlot
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Mehso-so

I really enjoyed another book by this author but this one was so all over the place it annoyed me. #roll100 @PuddleJumper #readyourkindle @CBee

PuddleJumper That's a shame 3w
CBee Onward to the next ☺️ 3w
37 likes2 comments
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BookwormDownUnder
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Mehso-so

My first #NFNov read! Well, I listened. It was only ok. #TodayILearned that I would not want to be friends with any of the First Ladies. They all seem like jerks in this book!
@Clwojick @rsteve388
Am I supposed to put down the points earned in this post? First time competitor!

rsteve388 Cool! That's a bummer that the first ladies were jerks! As for the points you can put them in the post but if not no worries we count them for you at the end of each day so 8pm MST. Good Job! 4y
rsteve388 4 pts 4y
BookwormDownUnder @rsteve388 I finished the book. 🤓 4y
rsteve388 5 pts for the finish and 3 for the TIL so 8 total I'll update you tomorrow. 4y
16 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Megabooks
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Cinfhen Cool cover❤️just saw your review/ guess I‘ll pass 😘 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen The one about the VPs was much better if you‘re interested. First Women was just too disorganized! 5y
Cinfhen I just finished an awesome audio book so I‘m trying to decide what to listen to next. I‘m thinking about Evicted 🤔or I‘m considering the new Atwood. Have you listened to it??? 5y
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Megabooks @Cinfhen Not The Testaments, but I did find Evicted worth two listens. Dion Graham is fantastic as a narrator!! And the story is incredibly compelling. One of those really good narrative nonfictions with some sociology on top. 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen 👍🏻👍🏻 5y
Cinfhen Started it!!! Dion‘s voice is SO soothing 💕 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen like lemonade on a hot day! 5y
107 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Megabooks
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed her (later) book First in Line (about the VPs) so much, I decided to read this one. Unfortunately, it was really disorganized, and by the last two hours, I was extremely frustrated! It was really hard to finish.

The stories were interesting, but I just wished she had organized them chronologically or topically or any way. I just couldn‘t make heads or tails of it!! 🤦🏻‍♀️😬 There‘s a good book here, but she didn‘t write it!! 3⭐️

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Sydsavvy
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This is excellent!!!

35 likes2 stack adds
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Tahoe
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Got this book for a Seminar and after taking a look I present: Betty Ford on the Cabinet Room table (where seats were often reserved for men only) the day before she left the White House!
Awesome 😄

#strongwomen #FirstLadies

@LittleBug bet you love it xD

LittleBug Nice!!🤩 6y
11 likes1 comment
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LMJenkins
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LadyChristy
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Sooooo hoooootttttt out today...🌞🔥I spent the day holed up in the Central Air and Audio”baked” this Frozen Raspberry Lemonade Pie 🎧👌🏻🍋#audiobaking

Eggs Beautiful 6y
rather_be_reading yummmy!! 🍋🍋 6y
HKGirl Oh, that looks good! 😋 6y
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ladym30 That looks so good! 6y
Kappadeemom I‘ve made that before and it‘s so good!! 6y
GripLitGrl Looks yummy!😋 6y
60 likes6 comments
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parttimedomestic
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I‘m not sure about this one, so far it seems really gossipy and aimless. #tobailornottobail

33 likes1 stack add
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LMJenkins
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For today‘s #ReadingResolutions, I offer you two books about (and with this word in the title) #Power! “First Women” is timely because Barbara Bush has been on the mind this week and in “The Art of Power,” Jon Meacham (who eulogized Mrs. Bush coincidentally) profiles Thomas Jefferson.
@Jess7

30 likes1 stack add
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MeganMarieWrites
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God bless Jackie Kennedy.

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DaffValsaint
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So excited about this one!!!

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. 6y
DaffValsaint Thank you for the warm welcome! I'll make sure I check your tips. :) 6y
2 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kbuggle
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Pickpick

Finally wrapped up the last pages of this one.. a great look into the women who carry the White House.

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Born.A.Reader
Pickpick

Loved this!! I highly recommend if you're even remotely curious about the lives of the First Ladies (from Jackie Kennedy thru Michelle Obama). It's not political, merely a great flowing biography of the last 10 First Ladies. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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MaleficentBookDragon
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The Kindle Daily Deals get me every time.#kindledailydeal

readordierachel Me too. It's so hard to resist! 6y
GlassAsDiamonds Me (having successfully missed this sale but not this post) “OOOHH! I wanted this!!”, runs to computer and buys within seconds.... and now I have yet another book on my TBR (But The Residence was fantastic). #blamelisty ?? 😊😊😊 6y
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kbuggle
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Lady reading on a rainy day.

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Shazzer
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Pickpick

Interesting read. It's about the first ladies from the 1960s onwards. It's talks about the relationships between the ladies and their husbands and also the way first ladies support or don't in some cases

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Kdazy
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Rainy day snuggles to start a new book! #sonotintopolitics #roguebookbingo

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Born.A.Reader
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My only books with #numbertitles. I thought I had more than I do. Hmmm...
#riotgrams

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Born.A.Reader
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*squeals* I dropped by B&N on my way home from work, because had a coupon (burning a hole in my pocket -and due to expire on Sunday!) and came home with these! Buy 2 get 1 free, I used my 20% off coupon AND my membership 10% off as well! #bookhaul
But in all seriousness, I think I may have to instill a book buying ban for myself for the next couple months -my TBR is threatening to revolt! May has seen plentiful book buying. #imighthaveaproblem

Born.A.Reader @mjdowens Very true! 😂😂 7y
Zelma I used both of my 20% off coupons yesterday on secret santa. 😁 7y
41 likes3 comments
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RoxyWilde
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Pretty good so far

6 likes1 stack add
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jmtrivera
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Pickpick

I'm not super into politics, but I found this a pretty interesting look at the most recent First Ladies and their roles in the politics of their time. Also, it made me really want to watch The West Wing again. #BookBingo2017 #RogueBookBingo #ABookAboutPolitics

LiteraryinLawrence Yup, I am currently rewatching West Wing too. I guess as an antidote to the current political climate. Bartlet 2020, anyone? 7y
Reecaspieces I love Bartlet!!! Great show! 7y
32 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Brendaough
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Verity
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I've missed a couple of days of #riotgrams after an unfortunate incident involving a pool of stagnant water and my phone, which has seen me reduced to taking photos on my iPad. Less than ideal. Anyway, this is my #currentread. Or the hardback one at any rate. It only came out last year, but it feels like it was written expecting a different future.

17 likes1 stack add
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KGlibrarian
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Pickpick

A fascinating look at the lives of ten First Ladies, from Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama. The author's accessible prose highlights life in the East Wing and beyond. An enjoyable read for anyone who is intrigued by American politics, the inside workings of the White House, and women's contributions to society.

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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

I gained so much respect for these women while reading this book! It covers each of the pictured former First Ladies and includes, Mamie Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy , Laura Bush and Michelle Obama. Fascinating information about their lives in and out of the White House, their legacy and relationships with each other.

61 likes2 stack adds
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kaylaraeintheway
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#24in48 Rainbow stack challenge ❤️💛💚💙💜

britt_brooke Pretty! 🌈 7y
13 likes1 comment
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SarahJoyce
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Pickpick

I can't think of a more perfect time for this book. It gave me a greater appreciation of the women that are always in the background of American history and was a quick and enlightening read.
Gotta say I have some new favorite white house figures, and a lot of new trivia facts!

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SarahJoyce
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Currently reading about some incredibly strong women 😍

3 likes1 stack add
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DivineDiana
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Current audio. Stories of Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton make me feel a little sad 😔

MicheleinPhilly Did you see Mrs. Obama's final address the other day? 😭 7y
DivineDiana I saw posts on Facebook. Saved to watch. She is a woman I admire greatly. I will miss her. 7y
46 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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kendrastephaniekaryn
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Started the year off right - with a smoothie, protein bar, and a great book!

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Verity
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My Christmas book from Him Indoors. Just what I wanted. I love it when that happens.

15 likes1 stack add
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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I saw this one recommended on Litsy awhile back, and thank goodness I added it to my Goodreads TBR list because they sent me an email that it's on sale today. I'm snapping that one up 😉

Yes, I'm a book addict, and even more so...a book on sale addict! LOL

DogMomIrene Books on sale are difficult to resist. Sometimes I scroll through my book apps, find a book I forgot I bought on sale, and it's like a surprise birthday present! 7y
WhatDeeReads I tried this one on audio an hated the narrator. May work better in print. 7y
ElizabethAndino That's cool! Is there a setting on Goodreads to get the sale notifications? 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @ElizabethAndino I don't know, it was a new feature that was added after it was bought by Amazon, sometimes I'll get them when a book goes on sale, sometimes not. It seems sort of hit and miss, but I'd be willing to bet it gets better as time goes on, because it should help their sales. If you aren't getting then, maybe just check the GR settings for your account, I'm guessing it would be somewhere near notification emails. 7y
66 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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KrisConstantReader
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I recently bought The Residence but haven't read it yet. This one looks like a great addition--I just can't ever get enough of books about #politics

56 likes1 stack add
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WhatStaceyReads
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Just a few weeks until the election so I thought now would be a good time to read this.

4 likes1 stack add
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see.chels.read
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grace and power is an understatement. these women are fierce in more ways than one!

8 likes2 stack adds
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indigo
Pickpick

I learned new things about the modern First Ladies and my perceptions of some of them were changed (for the better). The pressures and criticism these women face are amazing, especially since they never asked to be First Lady. A nice insight into the White House. This book doesn't disappoint!

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LauraLeah
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I am a history fan and have a fascination with the Presidency. I knew this book was coming out and overjoyed to see it at the library today.

10 likes3 stack adds
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Belles
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Pickpick

Awesome look at the presidency from the inside out. Couldn't help but consider how Bill Clinton or Mrs. Trump might add content to this book!

MrBook Nice pic! 8y
6 likes1 comment
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Sasha728
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Started reading this tonight. Not exactly what I was expecting but that's not necessarily bad. Right now it's just OK but I'm going to keep reading.

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Bookish_penguin
Bailedbailed

I wanted to love this but it was just too much information in one place. I'd love to see a condensed version.

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KarenaFagan
Mehso-so

While there was some interesting things said, the book felt gossipy. Also "anonymous" former employees making claims of catty remarks from one First Lady about another made me feel squicky.

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BestOfFates
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Pickpick

Humanizing & informative & a completely new look at the women who've inhabited the White House. *audio*

BookishFeminist Really looking forward to getting around to this! I'm next up for the ebook at my library. 8y
BestOfFates @BookishFeminist I just grabbed it when it came up at the library, I hadn't heard much about it, but it's a fast, enjoyable read! 8y
18 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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BestOfFates
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My favorite revelation of the morning? When debating policy the Carters would switch to Spanish, which none of the advisors spoke. The Hoovers did the same with Chinese!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That is a great factoid! And was enough to make me want to read this book! 8y
BestOfFates @Riveted_Reader_Melissa It is filled with little facts like that which really deepen your perception of past First Ladies & their husbands! 8y
Brooke_H I looooove your photos! What apps do you use? My pics are so YAWN in comparison! 8y
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BestOfFates @Brooke_H Aw, thanks - as I mainly read/listen to library books I can't do cute photo set-ups so try to at least manipulate the screenshots well! Mainly use A Beautiful Mess (ABM) b/c I used to read their blog but there's prob a free app that's similar if you explore! 8y
Brooke_H Thank you!! 8y
Lindseyastin Never heard of this book! Intrigued! 8y
BestOfFates @Lindseyastin you'd like it! It's an easy read! 8y
MMFinck Cool tidbit! 8y
22 likes4 stack adds8 comments
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BestOfFates
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Palace of Illusions is hitting me too hard so I'm taking a break to listen to First Women.

19 likes3 stack adds
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LBertelson
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Although I'm only on page 8, I can already tell I will enjoy this as thoroughly as I did Ms. Brower's first book, The Residence, about the behind the scenes White House life as shared by staffers who served from the Kennedys through the Obamas. A delightful not at all kiss and tell inside look.

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KarenaFagan
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This is residual from Hamilton. Eliza (and Angelica, really) would have made fab First Ladies. #literaryloot

WhatDeeReads I gotta read this. I'm obsessed with the First Ladies. 8y
7 likes2 stack adds1 comment