Rating The First Ladies: The Women Who Influenced The Presidency

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and informative, almost....
Review: Being a science and math major in college, I never had the time to spend reading history books, other than what I had to read. Now that my time is more my own, I was delighted to learn about this book but was somewhat cautious in the overall assessments of the first ladies since I read that the Siera Institute (?) had been the vehicle for the ratings. Knowing that the vast majority of college professors are liberal, I wondered how much of these ratings were skewed to the left, literally. Then, when I finally got to almost the end of the book and read the assessment for Nancy Reagan, the author warns that this first lady instead of ranking second-to-last, should have rated in the very top of the rankings....but due to liberal bias of the raters, she had a very low score....so, where does this leave me, the reader, in all that I had read beforehand? All of the prior ratings were null and void or to accepted with a grain of salt? Well, why didn't he say that in the very beginning? - Instead of telling the reader that it was hoped that more conservative academics would participate in the Siera poll? Did I waste my time reading this book? I don't really think so. Much of the book describes the events during each president's administration and how it affected his first lady. How she dealt with the events, and how her personality impacted the course of events. That was the history lesson. I can evaluate the rest for myself.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting History
Review: If you are interested in, or fascinated by U.S. history then Rating the First Ladies is a must read. Unlike most history books which can be dry and boring, I found this account of America's First Ladies and the roles they have played in the U.S. Presidency to be not only informative, but downright entertaining. Each First Lady's biography is filled with interesting and juicy tidbits of information. This book helped me to realize that the First Ladies of the United States have played an integral role in the U.S. Presidency as well as national and world politics long before Hillary Clinton or Barbara Bush ever occupied the White House. Some of our least formally educated First Ladies became the greatest help to their Presidential husbands. Rating the First Ladies is a great read. All Americans should have a copy of this book in their home.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This book puts the Hillary phenomenon into perspective. She's rated No. 2, second only to Eleanor Roosevelt, but the author's take on her presents her fully -- with political strengths and blemishes. What I like about this book is its candor, and the fact that it's non-partisan. Roberts reveals all the warts, whether the first lady is Republican or Democrat. Beginning with Martha Washington, first ladies have influenced world events, shaped domestic policies, had their hands in politics, and hired and fired Cabinet officials. They have also held White House séances, consulted astrologers, taken bribes, and abused power. From the top-ranked Eleanor Roosevelt to last-placed Mary Lincoln, Roberts looks at the way each First Lady has used her unelected power to shape her husband's administration and political destiny, further his causes, and in many cases, promote her own. Roberts shows them as ambitious, ambivalent, idealistic, greedy, egotistical, and selfless, in biographical essays that make for compelling and surprising reading.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This book really delivers. It's enjoyable history, with short chapters on each first lady that read like short stories. Don't be fooled by those who say you can't compare first ladies simply because modern ones get more media coverage. That's like saying you can't compare presidents because television didn't exist when Lincoln was in the White House. Throughout history, first ladies have been chronicled in letters, books, newspapers, and accounts from their contemporaries. Later radio and television were included. This book relies on these and many other sources, but gives a unique viewpoint that only a political insider can add. There are many new revelations here about Nancy Reagan (whom the author clearly admires) and Barbara Bush, among others. I liked it because it adds a whole new dimension to presidential history. But if all you like about first ladies is the fluff, skip this book. This is a book about the nitty-gritty of politics and power.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous!!!
Review: This book was a Christmas gift, and I didn't know what to expect since I'm not really into politics and I like biography more. Once I started reading I was hooked by the biographies and the way the writer places each woman in the sweep of the history and politics of her times. I found the rating system easy to understand and the author explained it in great detail in the book's introduction. John Roberts really brings politics to life, instead of the dry boring subject I always thought it was. I'm really glad I read it this year, when the focus is on presidential candidates and potential first ladies. I plan to give this book to many on my birthday list this year.