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The President’s Wife
The incredible story of the First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Engineer's Wife and The War Nurse.
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.
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.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 15, 2023
About the author
Tracey Enerson Wood
6 books375 followersTracey Enerson Wood has always had a writing bug. While working as a Registered Nurse, starting an interior design company, raising two children, and bouncing around the world as a military wife, she indulged in her passion as a playwright, screenwriter and short story writer. She has authored magazine columns and other non-fiction, written and directed plays of all lengths, including Grits, Fleas and Carrots, Rocks and Other Hard Places, Alone, and Fog. Her screenplays include Strike Three and Roebling's Bridge. The Engineer's Wife is her first published novel.
Other passions include food and cooking, and honoring military heroes. Her co-authored anthology/cookbook Homefront Cooking, American Veterans share Recipes, Wit, and Wisdom, was released in May, 2018, and all authors' profits will be donated to organizations that support veterans.
A New Jersey native, she now lives with her family in Germany and Florida, and loves to travel, so be careful giving out casual invitations, she will show up anywhere.
(source: Amazon)
Other passions include food and cooking, and honoring military heroes. Her co-authored anthology/cookbook Homefront Cooking, American Veterans share Recipes, Wit, and Wisdom, was released in May, 2018, and all authors' profits will be donated to organizations that support veterans.
A New Jersey native, she now lives with her family in Germany and Florida, and loves to travel, so be careful giving out casual invitations, she will show up anywhere.
(source: Amazon)
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October 3, 2023
Real Rating: 3.75* of five
The Publisher Says: The incredible story of 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.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Charming historical fiction about two people of riper years whose love for each other is tested, re-tested, and ultimately short-lived due to death.
So many things about Woodrow Wilson are awful to me. A racist, an ivory-tower academic without the track record to be the strong-arming law-ramming president thr first World War demanded; but most of all the man who gave away the keys to the economy to the banksters of Jekyll Island's cabal in 1913, thus dooming us to cycles of boom and bust that would only get worse every time the banksters clawed more money from our pockets to feed their greed and gambling addiction.
*ahem*
That not being what this book's about, let me tell you about it, not him.
First of all, it's a novel about two older people whose lives are mostly behind them finding comfort and companionship at the end. That one of them is the president of the US is, in a strange way, tangential to their story. They had a true connection to each other as people, as a man and a woman left alone by the deaths of their spouses. Author Wood gives us the sense that, had they met without this central fact being present, they likely would've had an affair because they were so simpatico. The way their relationship played out, so very publicly, and at such high volume, meant that the end of the affair was inevitably going to be marriage...nothing less would assuage the "moral standards" of the day. Edith Bolling was, thank goodness, a practical person, aware of the world around her and its demands; also to be praised is her full belief in Wilson's political and social progressivism (as far as it went, anyway), so her voice was added to his, not in conflict with it in the battles he was waging.
The Great War, as World War One was called at the time, was only one item on Wilson's plate and isn't the major focus of the book. More weight is given to the all-important enfranchisement of women. This is the one unqualified success of Wilson's presidency. Edith Bolling Wilson was influential on the president's support for this amendment to the Constitution.
Again, more important than the history lesson of the book is the close relationship between these two people. The background of their lives together was always public, and the work they did together was consequential to this very day. But they themselves, as people, are Author Wood's focus. She does not present them as superhuman archetypes. Thy are believable characters, strong people with powerful convictions, who found each other in the last act of the play that is a human's life. Their needs and their interests matched so well that it feels, to this elderly reader, as though they each found the satisfaction of an entire lifetime's search for their best partner.
It's a fine story, about interesting people, and it's told well. Enjoy it soon.
The Publisher Says: The incredible story of 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.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Charming historical fiction about two people of riper years whose love for each other is tested, re-tested, and ultimately short-lived due to death.
So many things about Woodrow Wilson are awful to me. A racist, an ivory-tower academic without the track record to be the strong-arming law-ramming president thr first World War demanded; but most of all the man who gave away the keys to the economy to the banksters of Jekyll Island's cabal in 1913, thus dooming us to cycles of boom and bust that would only get worse every time the banksters clawed more money from our pockets to feed their greed and gambling addiction.
*ahem*
That not being what this book's about, let me tell you about it, not him.
First of all, it's a novel about two older people whose lives are mostly behind them finding comfort and companionship at the end. That one of them is the president of the US is, in a strange way, tangential to their story. They had a true connection to each other as people, as a man and a woman left alone by the deaths of their spouses. Author Wood gives us the sense that, had they met without this central fact being present, they likely would've had an affair because they were so simpatico. The way their relationship played out, so very publicly, and at such high volume, meant that the end of the affair was inevitably going to be marriage...nothing less would assuage the "moral standards" of the day. Edith Bolling was, thank goodness, a practical person, aware of the world around her and its demands; also to be praised is her full belief in Wilson's political and social progressivism (as far as it went, anyway), so her voice was added to his, not in conflict with it in the battles he was waging.
The Great War, as World War One was called at the time, was only one item on Wilson's plate and isn't the major focus of the book. More weight is given to the all-important enfranchisement of women. This is the one unqualified success of Wilson's presidency. Edith Bolling Wilson was influential on the president's support for this amendment to the Constitution.
Again, more important than the history lesson of the book is the close relationship between these two people. The background of their lives together was always public, and the work they did together was consequential to this very day. But they themselves, as people, are Author Wood's focus. She does not present them as superhuman archetypes. Thy are believable characters, strong people with powerful convictions, who found each other in the last act of the play that is a human's life. Their needs and their interests matched so well that it feels, to this elderly reader, as though they each found the satisfaction of an entire lifetime's search for their best partner.
It's a fine story, about interesting people, and it's told well. Enjoy it soon.
August 23, 2023
Edith Bolling is a widow, she turned her deceased husband’s jewellery business around and enjoys her independence. Edith is friends with President Woodrow Wilson’s first cousin Helen Bones and through her they meet. President Wilson had recently lost his wife Ellen, he has three grown up daughters, Margaret, Jessie and Eleanor.
Woodrow Wilson proposes to Edith very early on in their relationship, she thinks it’s too soon and they must wait. The president and Edith have quite a few things in common, both were born in Virginia and Woodrow woos her with romantic letters during their courtship. Edith and Woodrow marry on the 18th of December 1915, in a small ceremony at her house and Edith becomes the First Lady of the United States.
Despite the President wanting America to remain neutral, they become involved in The Great War and Edith want's to help raising money for the war. Edith is aware of the food shortage in Europe, she encourages Americans to start planting fruit and vegetable gardens.
The war years take their toll on Americas 28th President and Edith does what she can to lessen his burden and it ages him. Edith is the initial First Lady to travel overseas with her husband to Europe for the peace talks, the treaty of Versailles is being drawn up, the possibility of creating a League of Nations and to prevent another world war in the future.
Despite president Wilson’s health being careful monitored, his body starts to fail and Edith becomes his Stewart, with her help and guidance he manages to finish his term of office.
I received a digital copy of The President’s Wife from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. Tracey Enerson Wood bases her historical fiction novels on real women, using true facts and I didn’t know a lot about Edith Wilson prior to reading the book. Edith was married to Woodrow, of course he spoke to her and shared his thoughts, she was his confidante and only Edith knows if she crossed the line. Edith Wilson was a woman who loved her country, her husband, did she influence his presidency and make crucial decisions while Woodrow was unwell? I discovered American politics is rather complicated, times and people's opinions have changed. I really enjoyed the authors previous books, The Engineer's Wife and The War Nurse and I gave The President's Wife four stars.
Woodrow Wilson proposes to Edith very early on in their relationship, she thinks it’s too soon and they must wait. The president and Edith have quite a few things in common, both were born in Virginia and Woodrow woos her with romantic letters during their courtship. Edith and Woodrow marry on the 18th of December 1915, in a small ceremony at her house and Edith becomes the First Lady of the United States.
Despite the President wanting America to remain neutral, they become involved in The Great War and Edith want's to help raising money for the war. Edith is aware of the food shortage in Europe, she encourages Americans to start planting fruit and vegetable gardens.
The war years take their toll on Americas 28th President and Edith does what she can to lessen his burden and it ages him. Edith is the initial First Lady to travel overseas with her husband to Europe for the peace talks, the treaty of Versailles is being drawn up, the possibility of creating a League of Nations and to prevent another world war in the future.
Despite president Wilson’s health being careful monitored, his body starts to fail and Edith becomes his Stewart, with her help and guidance he manages to finish his term of office.
I received a digital copy of The President’s Wife from Edelweiss and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. Tracey Enerson Wood bases her historical fiction novels on real women, using true facts and I didn’t know a lot about Edith Wilson prior to reading the book. Edith was married to Woodrow, of course he spoke to her and shared his thoughts, she was his confidante and only Edith knows if she crossed the line. Edith Wilson was a woman who loved her country, her husband, did she influence his presidency and make crucial decisions while Woodrow was unwell? I discovered American politics is rather complicated, times and people's opinions have changed. I really enjoyed the authors previous books, The Engineer's Wife and The War Nurse and I gave The President's Wife four stars.
July 13, 2023
'She was falling for his precious ideals, his sense of duty, and his willingness to sacrifice whatever he could of himself and his reputation to do the right thing...'
The President's Wife reflects upon Edith Wilson as not only a large driving force behind Woodrow and therefore his government, but also the woman. Her devotion and loyalty to the man and his reciprocating need to have her constantly by his side resulted in a stubborn, tunnel vision in striving for their goals.
When widower Woodrow Wilson met widow Edith Bolling Galt, during tea at the White House, it seemed like a real coup de foudre. He put on a charm offensive and persisted with their relationship even after she initially declined his proposal, 'in this stage of our lives, time is not measured in weeks, or months or years, but by deep human experiences.' Edith had resisted not only due to the expediency of their relationship but also a reticence to the public spotlight and mixing with Ivy League political powerhouses. However, Wilson saw her as 'a voice of common sense, from the people, not just the cloistered circle of myopic government.' So as WWI kicked off, and America tried to not only maintain its neutrality but also be active peacemakers to Europe, Edit and Woodrow married. However, when Edith married the man, was she a lover, a helpmeet, or a US citizen? As Woodrow's presidency and health steered into murky and rough waters, these roles often became conflated. And, when Wilson had a severe stroke, Edith's loyalty to both man and country begins to be questioned, 'But had her love blinded her to an unwelcome truth? Had protecting her husband resulted in great suffering for the country, in the world?'
I enjoyed reading this book, although I would have enjoyed reading more about Edith's time 'directing' the government after Woodrow's stroke and more of their life, adjusting after government - particularly how she reacclimatised. A good overall read.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The President's Wife reflects upon Edith Wilson as not only a large driving force behind Woodrow and therefore his government, but also the woman. Her devotion and loyalty to the man and his reciprocating need to have her constantly by his side resulted in a stubborn, tunnel vision in striving for their goals.
When widower Woodrow Wilson met widow Edith Bolling Galt, during tea at the White House, it seemed like a real coup de foudre. He put on a charm offensive and persisted with their relationship even after she initially declined his proposal, 'in this stage of our lives, time is not measured in weeks, or months or years, but by deep human experiences.' Edith had resisted not only due to the expediency of their relationship but also a reticence to the public spotlight and mixing with Ivy League political powerhouses. However, Wilson saw her as 'a voice of common sense, from the people, not just the cloistered circle of myopic government.' So as WWI kicked off, and America tried to not only maintain its neutrality but also be active peacemakers to Europe, Edit and Woodrow married. However, when Edith married the man, was she a lover, a helpmeet, or a US citizen? As Woodrow's presidency and health steered into murky and rough waters, these roles often became conflated. And, when Wilson had a severe stroke, Edith's loyalty to both man and country begins to be questioned, 'But had her love blinded her to an unwelcome truth? Had protecting her husband resulted in great suffering for the country, in the world?'
I enjoyed reading this book, although I would have enjoyed reading more about Edith's time 'directing' the government after Woodrow's stroke and more of their life, adjusting after government - particularly how she reacclimatised. A good overall read.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 4, 2023
3.5⭐️ There were some aspects of this story I enjoyed, such as learning more about Woodrow Wilson and his wife, Edith, who in many ways became his right hand during the latter half of his presidency. However, I don’t think the writing style of this one worked for me. I found myself struggling to stay engaged and to connect on an emotional level with these central figures.
March 31, 2023
Publication date: August 15, 2023. This book conveys the story of President Wilson and his second wife, Edith, during their White House years. Edith became the president's confidante and advisor, and assumed great control during his illness during the last year of his term. The question that lingers is was this a wise decision or not? My knowledge of these historical events was limited and this book was a refreshing read of an important era of our history. Our Federal income tax and women' s right to vote are just a few of the issues whose feet are planted in the times examined in this book. Excellent reading!
My thanks to the author, Tracey Emerson Wood, and the publisher. Source books Landmark, for my ARC of this soon to be published book. #Goodreads Giveaway
My thanks to the author, Tracey Emerson Wood, and the publisher. Source books Landmark, for my ARC of this soon to be published book. #Goodreads Giveaway
July 5, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
A historical fiction that centers on Edith Bolling, the second wife of American President Woodrow Wilson. The story follows their courtship and his terms of the presidency. Great premise, but I failed to connect to a lot of these characters and there were a few cringe scenes.
As a Canadian who loves history, I can name a few American presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, Grant, the Roosevelts( both Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt), Eisenhower, Kennedy, Regan, Nixon, Ford, Johnson, Carter, Bush(both father and son), Clinton, Obama, Trump, and Biden. But all I knew about Woodrow Wilson was that he was the President during WWI.
Please don't come at me that they're not in chronological order.🤣
Now, as interesting as the political leaders and their lives can be, one could argue that as far as U.S. history is concerned, it is also who is beside the president that is interesting. It has always fascinated me how much attention is paid to the woman who is beside the President. The one who earns the title of First Lady. Remind you once again that, I am Canadian and I don't think many of us could name 5 wives of Canadian Prime Ministers. Case in point( Sophie Trudeau, Margaret Trudeau, Aline Chretien, Zoe Laurier), and honestly it's shocking I knew that off the top of my head.
So now you're probably asking yourselves " Who was Edith?" and "Why is she getting a book of her own? " Well...... probably because when her husband suffered a stroke, she kept working behind the scenes basically assuming the presidency. Scandalous!!
I think there are a few reasons Edith is not as well known as some of the other presidential wives. Many of her contemporaries felt that the whole marriage between her and Woodrow had begun as an affair when his first wife was still alive. Those around Wilson chafed at how much the president consulted with his wife on different issues. Add to that her actions in the last two years of her husband's presidency in which there was much criticism. As the book reveals, she was very against women having the vote( which makes her a product of her time), but Edith was also very involved in helping many causes during WWI. So I think I leave this reading of her life with the knowledge that she was very complex.
I mentioned that I had difficulty relating to the characters and I did and I think it is largely because I found most of the dialogues between Edith and Woodrow to be weird. Not when they were talking about the issues of the time BUT when he referred to her as "his little girl."🤮 It's a shame I didn't like it more. I
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
#ThePresidentsWife #NetGalley.
Expected Publication Date 15/08/23
Goodreads Review 05/07/23
A historical fiction that centers on Edith Bolling, the second wife of American President Woodrow Wilson. The story follows their courtship and his terms of the presidency. Great premise, but I failed to connect to a lot of these characters and there were a few cringe scenes.
As a Canadian who loves history, I can name a few American presidents Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln, Grant, the Roosevelts( both Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt), Eisenhower, Kennedy, Regan, Nixon, Ford, Johnson, Carter, Bush(both father and son), Clinton, Obama, Trump, and Biden. But all I knew about Woodrow Wilson was that he was the President during WWI.
Please don't come at me that they're not in chronological order.🤣
Now, as interesting as the political leaders and their lives can be, one could argue that as far as U.S. history is concerned, it is also who is beside the president that is interesting. It has always fascinated me how much attention is paid to the woman who is beside the President. The one who earns the title of First Lady. Remind you once again that, I am Canadian and I don't think many of us could name 5 wives of Canadian Prime Ministers. Case in point( Sophie Trudeau, Margaret Trudeau, Aline Chretien, Zoe Laurier), and honestly it's shocking I knew that off the top of my head.
So now you're probably asking yourselves " Who was Edith?" and "Why is she getting a book of her own? " Well...... probably because when her husband suffered a stroke, she kept working behind the scenes basically assuming the presidency. Scandalous!!
I think there are a few reasons Edith is not as well known as some of the other presidential wives. Many of her contemporaries felt that the whole marriage between her and Woodrow had begun as an affair when his first wife was still alive. Those around Wilson chafed at how much the president consulted with his wife on different issues. Add to that her actions in the last two years of her husband's presidency in which there was much criticism. As the book reveals, she was very against women having the vote( which makes her a product of her time), but Edith was also very involved in helping many causes during WWI. So I think I leave this reading of her life with the knowledge that she was very complex.
I mentioned that I had difficulty relating to the characters and I did and I think it is largely because I found most of the dialogues between Edith and Woodrow to be weird. Not when they were talking about the issues of the time BUT when he referred to her as "his little girl."🤮 It's a shame I didn't like it more. I
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
#ThePresidentsWife #NetGalley.
Expected Publication Date 15/08/23
Goodreads Review 05/07/23
September 14, 2023
This was a real slog-fest to get through. The synopsis sounded fascinating - Woodrow Wilson’s second wife, Edith, for all intents and purposes, assumes the duties of the presidency when her husband’s health fails and he can no longer carry out the responsibilities himself (all while protecting his secret from the public). This was all new information to me and I couldn’t wait to read all about it.
Unfortunately, Woodrow’s health doesn’t take a turn until about 50 pages from the end of the book! Getting to that point was torture and not worth the wait in my opinion. The story was told in a strange way. It seemed like the author’s research revealed many interesting factoids and tales, but they were often interjected into the story at random, neither enhancing the story or fitting in where they were placed. Just odd. Edith did not come across as very likeable and I found it hard to care about anything or anyone. Disappointing.
Unfortunately, Woodrow’s health doesn’t take a turn until about 50 pages from the end of the book! Getting to that point was torture and not worth the wait in my opinion. The story was told in a strange way. It seemed like the author’s research revealed many interesting factoids and tales, but they were often interjected into the story at random, neither enhancing the story or fitting in where they were placed. Just odd. Edith did not come across as very likeable and I found it hard to care about anything or anyone. Disappointing.
May 22, 2023
This is sure to be an appealing book for lovers of history, as well as historical fiction and all things presidential. I enjoyed learning about Edith and Woodrow Wilson and their time in our country's history from this story and I even ended up researching a little more about them on my own.
The story gives us a glimpse into the sanguine, yet sometimes turbulent, lives of Edith and Woodrow Wilson, from the time they first met in 1915, when he was a newly widowed President, until they left the White House in 1921. It encompasses many historical events, such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the U.S. entry into WWI, the formation of the League of Nations after the war, and the fight for women's right to vote. Edith became very involved in what was taking place during her husband's presidency.
Like all First Ladies, Edith was a role model, an idol, and often a target of ridicule. She was devoted to her husband and her country, even when protecting one was quite possibly detrimental to the other. Her choices and actions following her husband's stroke were interesting to read about, because there is so much discussion in today's political arena about our current President's mental stability. Also, the story reveals how it was possible for unelected individuals to have an impact on critical issues affecting the nation. I wish that my history classes in school had been this fascinating.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
The story gives us a glimpse into the sanguine, yet sometimes turbulent, lives of Edith and Woodrow Wilson, from the time they first met in 1915, when he was a newly widowed President, until they left the White House in 1921. It encompasses many historical events, such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the U.S. entry into WWI, the formation of the League of Nations after the war, and the fight for women's right to vote. Edith became very involved in what was taking place during her husband's presidency.
Like all First Ladies, Edith was a role model, an idol, and often a target of ridicule. She was devoted to her husband and her country, even when protecting one was quite possibly detrimental to the other. Her choices and actions following her husband's stroke were interesting to read about, because there is so much discussion in today's political arena about our current President's mental stability. Also, the story reveals how it was possible for unelected individuals to have an impact on critical issues affecting the nation. I wish that my history classes in school had been this fascinating.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
January 26, 2023
“Edith wished she could spread out all these events over the rest of her life, when she could enjoy each one thoroughly.”
I liked Edith and enjoyed reading about her life as the wife of President Woodrow Wilson. This time in history became more interesting to me when viewed through the lens of Edith.
With historical fiction, I often wonder “how much of this is true?” The author doesn’t specify in her notes at the end. However, much of the story revolves around recorded historical events. I like Tracey Enerson Wood’s writing style and I always learn from her books. I especially enjoyed the scene where Edith met Julia Stimson, who Wood wrote about in The War Nurse.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
“No peace can last, or ought to last, which does not recognize and accept the principle that governments derive all their just powers from the consent of the governed, and that no right anywhere exists to hand peoples about from sovereignty to sovereignty as if they were property.”
Woodrow Wilson in “The President’s Wife”
I liked Edith and enjoyed reading about her life as the wife of President Woodrow Wilson. This time in history became more interesting to me when viewed through the lens of Edith.
With historical fiction, I often wonder “how much of this is true?” The author doesn’t specify in her notes at the end. However, much of the story revolves around recorded historical events. I like Tracey Enerson Wood’s writing style and I always learn from her books. I especially enjoyed the scene where Edith met Julia Stimson, who Wood wrote about in The War Nurse.
Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.
“No peace can last, or ought to last, which does not recognize and accept the principle that governments derive all their just powers from the consent of the governed, and that no right anywhere exists to hand peoples about from sovereignty to sovereignty as if they were property.”
Woodrow Wilson in “The President’s Wife”
August 15, 2023
I enjoyed Wood’s previous books The Engineer’s Wife and The War Nurse, so I was thrilled to get an advanced audio from RB Media. Of course I ordered the physical book which arrives on Pub Day August 15th. The narrator Libby McKnight did a fantastic job with this wonderful book.
This is the story of President Woodrow Wilson meeting a new woman Edith Bolling after hew was widowed. Sparks fly immediately and a proposal is made by Woodrow. He appreciates not only her beauty but her mind.
She becomes crucial during his presidency and he confides in her on a daily basis. After the Great War during peace talks and other meetings she realizes Woodrow is not well. With his health failing Edith shares the details only with his most trusted advisors. She works tirelessly behind the scenes “running the show”.
I sat in one sitting on Sunday to listen to this amazing novel. Wood nailed the characters and her research was evident throughout the novel.
Thank you RB Media for this advanced copy. I also bought the physical book which arrives on Pub Day August 15th.
This is the story of President Woodrow Wilson meeting a new woman Edith Bolling after hew was widowed. Sparks fly immediately and a proposal is made by Woodrow. He appreciates not only her beauty but her mind.
She becomes crucial during his presidency and he confides in her on a daily basis. After the Great War during peace talks and other meetings she realizes Woodrow is not well. With his health failing Edith shares the details only with his most trusted advisors. She works tirelessly behind the scenes “running the show”.
I sat in one sitting on Sunday to listen to this amazing novel. Wood nailed the characters and her research was evident throughout the novel.
Thank you RB Media for this advanced copy. I also bought the physical book which arrives on Pub Day August 15th.
July 19, 2023
Sorry to say I dnfed it at 50%. The story was good. But it felt too political for me, and that is not my cup of tea
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
September 4, 2023
I enjoyed this book immensely!! Biographical historical fiction done right. No sensationalism, no lurid details (I hate when historical fiction is really a romance in disguise) just interesting life of Edith and Woodrow Wilson. The author didn’t imagine them to have 2023 mindsets. They behaved according to their day. I learned more than I knew before about WW1 and his presidency. Highly recommend for HF fans, especially presidential HF fans!
Want to read
October 1, 2023Richard made me do it.
April 4, 2023
An interesting, informative historical novel about Edith Bolling Galt who married widower Woodrow Wilson during his first term as President of the United States. The novel begins with their meeting and courtship and continues through the election, his second term in office, and his health issues that led to Edith all but taking over the running of the country and concludes with an epilogue several decades later.
The President's Wife is very well-researched and I enjoyed learning about Woodrow Wilson's perspective on the war in Europe, his 14 points statement of principles, the establishment of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles. It was also interesting to learn more about the state of US politics early in the 20th century particularly as it related to racism and to women's rights. I had a hard time getting engaged with the story though and felt like the courtship went on far too long (close to 1/3 of the novel) when it was really Edith's role in the Wilson presidency that I was most interested in. I found Edith unlikeable due to her opposition to women's rights so that likely contributed to my ambivalence toward her story.
Overall, this was an average read for me - strong on history but not as strong on weaving the facts into an engaging story. It was a bit disappointing as I had loved the author's previous book, The Engineer's Wife, and had hoped that I would enjoy this one as much.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
The President's Wife is very well-researched and I enjoyed learning about Woodrow Wilson's perspective on the war in Europe, his 14 points statement of principles, the establishment of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles. It was also interesting to learn more about the state of US politics early in the 20th century particularly as it related to racism and to women's rights. I had a hard time getting engaged with the story though and felt like the courtship went on far too long (close to 1/3 of the novel) when it was really Edith's role in the Wilson presidency that I was most interested in. I found Edith unlikeable due to her opposition to women's rights so that likely contributed to my ambivalence toward her story.
Overall, this was an average read for me - strong on history but not as strong on weaving the facts into an engaging story. It was a bit disappointing as I had loved the author's previous book, The Engineer's Wife, and had hoped that I would enjoy this one as much.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 4, 2024
Things I don't care about:
• the china pattern on The White House dishes
• what Edith and Woodrow Wilson ate for breakfast on their honeymoon
• the color of the carpet in the royal hall of some European castle
• a single character in this book
Edith Wilson is a delicate little flower who is against women's suffrage and defines herself only as the wife of a powerful man. She whines, complains, manipulates, and acts selfishly and petty through this whole story. This book was NOT for me.
• the china pattern on The White House dishes
• what Edith and Woodrow Wilson ate for breakfast on their honeymoon
• the color of the carpet in the royal hall of some European castle
• a single character in this book
Edith Wilson is a delicate little flower who is against women's suffrage and defines herself only as the wife of a powerful man. She whines, complains, manipulates, and acts selfishly and petty through this whole story. This book was NOT for me.
August 11, 2023
My honest review is freely provided in return for the kindness by NetGalley and the author/publisher in providing me with this book to review.
It’s not often that I give up on a book, and it’s a shame I didn’t like this more. Not knowing anything about Edith Wilson I was very interested to learn more, but I struggled to connect with the characters, and found not only the dialogue a bit strange but also their behavior to be at odds with the time.
It’s not often that I give up on a book, and it’s a shame I didn’t like this more. Not knowing anything about Edith Wilson I was very interested to learn more, but I struggled to connect with the characters, and found not only the dialogue a bit strange but also their behavior to be at odds with the time.
September 13, 2023
Gave the book 86 pages and it was sooooo boring! Too many other books to read!
July 27, 2023
The President's Wife
By Tracey Enerson Wood
Pub Date 15 Aug 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark
Historical Fiction
Rating: 4/5
Tracey Emerson Wood's historical novel The President's Wife is about Edith and Woodrow Wilson. Edith Wilson is portrayed as a strong and independent woman who becomes the first lady of the United States. Edith and Woodrow were both widowers in 1915 when a well-documented love story took place between them. Rather than focusing primarily on the period following his debilitating stroke in 1919, the book explores their relationship during the tumultuous times prior to America's entry into WWI. Woodrow's challenges are met with courage and resilience by Edith. She stands by Woodrow's side as his confidant and supports him regardless of the odds.
As I read Wood's book, I became immersed in the characters' lives and the lives of their families. As a result, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the political pressures and difficulties of the times. I came to appreciate the often trying decisions made by characters within the novel. Wood provided a deeper understanding of the Wilsons' legacy by highlighting the Suffrage movement, women's rights and the determination to pass the 19th Amendment.
The demands of a turbulent country, Woodrow's secrets, and the potentially devastating consequences of her failure were among Edith's challenges. At all costs, she made sacrifices for her husband and country. By presenting both Edith and Woodrow in an emotional and complex light, Wood has effectively shown how their intertwined lives and shared ambitions influenced America's history and culture.
Thank you Tracey Enerson Wood and Sourcebooks Landmark @Bookmarked for this beautiful book I received in the mail. It is a wonderful and enlightening journey back in time.
#ThePresidentsWife #TraceyEnersonWood #gifted
#books #tbrpile #bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
By Tracey Enerson Wood
Pub Date 15 Aug 2023
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, Sourcebooks Landmark
Historical Fiction
Rating: 4/5
Tracey Emerson Wood's historical novel The President's Wife is about Edith and Woodrow Wilson. Edith Wilson is portrayed as a strong and independent woman who becomes the first lady of the United States. Edith and Woodrow were both widowers in 1915 when a well-documented love story took place between them. Rather than focusing primarily on the period following his debilitating stroke in 1919, the book explores their relationship during the tumultuous times prior to America's entry into WWI. Woodrow's challenges are met with courage and resilience by Edith. She stands by Woodrow's side as his confidant and supports him regardless of the odds.
As I read Wood's book, I became immersed in the characters' lives and the lives of their families. As a result, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the political pressures and difficulties of the times. I came to appreciate the often trying decisions made by characters within the novel. Wood provided a deeper understanding of the Wilsons' legacy by highlighting the Suffrage movement, women's rights and the determination to pass the 19th Amendment.
The demands of a turbulent country, Woodrow's secrets, and the potentially devastating consequences of her failure were among Edith's challenges. At all costs, she made sacrifices for her husband and country. By presenting both Edith and Woodrow in an emotional and complex light, Wood has effectively shown how their intertwined lives and shared ambitions influenced America's history and culture.
Thank you Tracey Enerson Wood and Sourcebooks Landmark @Bookmarked for this beautiful book I received in the mail. It is a wonderful and enlightening journey back in time.
#ThePresidentsWife #TraceyEnersonWood #gifted
#books #tbrpile #bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
August 18, 2023
Informative, sentimental, and intriguing!
The President’s Wife is a vivid, captivating tale that sweeps you away to the early 1900s and into the life of successful entrepreneur Edith Bolling who, after befriending the President’s cousin and meeting President Woodrow Wilson while attending a dinner at the White House, quickly becomes his friend, confidant, wife, and subsequent decision maker when during the latter part of his presidency he suffers a debilitating stroke which leaves him unable to fulfil all of his head-of-state duties.
The prose is evocative and rich. The characters are multilayered, engaging, and intelligent. And the plot, infused with love letters, is a fascinating tale about life, loss, family, friendship, history, emotion, determination, decisions, obligations, passion, war, secrets, alliances, and the intricacies of world politics during the early twentieth century.
Overall, The President’s Wife is a well-written, enlightening, exceptionally researched story by Tracey Enerson Wood that incorporates an engaging mix of real-life historical figures, insightful information, and plausible fiction into a comprehensive tale about the life, loves, losses, actions, and accomplishments of Edith Bolling Wilson both individually and in her role as the First Lady of the United States.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The President’s Wife is a vivid, captivating tale that sweeps you away to the early 1900s and into the life of successful entrepreneur Edith Bolling who, after befriending the President’s cousin and meeting President Woodrow Wilson while attending a dinner at the White House, quickly becomes his friend, confidant, wife, and subsequent decision maker when during the latter part of his presidency he suffers a debilitating stroke which leaves him unable to fulfil all of his head-of-state duties.
The prose is evocative and rich. The characters are multilayered, engaging, and intelligent. And the plot, infused with love letters, is a fascinating tale about life, loss, family, friendship, history, emotion, determination, decisions, obligations, passion, war, secrets, alliances, and the intricacies of world politics during the early twentieth century.
Overall, The President’s Wife is a well-written, enlightening, exceptionally researched story by Tracey Enerson Wood that incorporates an engaging mix of real-life historical figures, insightful information, and plausible fiction into a comprehensive tale about the life, loves, losses, actions, and accomplishments of Edith Bolling Wilson both individually and in her role as the First Lady of the United States.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2023
"The President's Wife" by Tracey Enerson Wood is a captivating historical novel that skillfully combines rich historical detail while also allowing readers to experience a compelling presidential romance. Set in a tumultuous period of American history, Wood's storytelling transports readers to the White House, offering a glimpse into the life of the First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency.
What truly sets this novel apart is the meticulous attention to historical accuracy. Wood's research shines through, immersing readers in the intricacies of the time as well as the couple. The vivid descriptions of the era, from the political climate to the societal norms, create an authentic backdrop for the story.
In summary, "The President's Wife" is a well-crafted historical novel that offers readers a unique blend of history and romance. Tracey Enerson Wood's storytelling prowess and meticulous research make it a compelling and enjoyable read for anyone interested in a glimpse into the past and the complexities of a presidential love story.
What truly sets this novel apart is the meticulous attention to historical accuracy. Wood's research shines through, immersing readers in the intricacies of the time as well as the couple. The vivid descriptions of the era, from the political climate to the societal norms, create an authentic backdrop for the story.
In summary, "The President's Wife" is a well-crafted historical novel that offers readers a unique blend of history and romance. Tracey Enerson Wood's storytelling prowess and meticulous research make it a compelling and enjoyable read for anyone interested in a glimpse into the past and the complexities of a presidential love story.
January 25, 2023
I was very impressed with the writing and research on this book. I had no knowledge of President Woodrow Wilson, prior to reading this novel. I was absorbed in being educated and often took the time to do my own fact-finding. A benchmark for me to fully enjoy a book, is my desire to seek more information and achieve further clarification. I was quite stunned to learn, about the active role, in which Mrs. Wilson actively participated, with the “running” of the government during President Wilson’s temporary incapacitation. It certainly begs the question, as to how many other times, this has occured? Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark, for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #SourceBooksLandmark, #Netgalley.
August 30, 2023
The President’s Wife is the story of Edith Wilson née Bolling who goes from a relatively unknown socialite to the First Lady of the United States.
Edith never wanted or needed the spotlight. After losing her first husband she was content to spend her days visiting with friends and traveling. She grew to enjoy the level of independence she had after her husband passed, and had no plans to change until Woodrow decides he cannot live without her. He too had lost his wife, but unlike Edith, he didn’t enjoy living without a companion.
Edith quickly became indispensable to President Wilson, who suffered from multiple maladies. He values her opinions so much he dispenses with certain staff and takes to discussing policy with her, even as the country is dragged into World War I. Eventually his health takes a dramatic toll, and rather than tarnish his legacy, Edith does all that she can to help him finish his term in office even making presidential policy decisions in his stead.
Edith Wilson was a force of nature—independent, but deeply loyal to her husband. Her story was an interesting one I didn’t know much about until this novel. Though the topic was interesting, the story did drag quite a bit for me and I ended up speeding up my audiobook to get through it. If American history is your thing, this book is likely more intriguing to you than me.
Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media, and the author for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The President’s Wife is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
Edith never wanted or needed the spotlight. After losing her first husband she was content to spend her days visiting with friends and traveling. She grew to enjoy the level of independence she had after her husband passed, and had no plans to change until Woodrow decides he cannot live without her. He too had lost his wife, but unlike Edith, he didn’t enjoy living without a companion.
Edith quickly became indispensable to President Wilson, who suffered from multiple maladies. He values her opinions so much he dispenses with certain staff and takes to discussing policy with her, even as the country is dragged into World War I. Eventually his health takes a dramatic toll, and rather than tarnish his legacy, Edith does all that she can to help him finish his term in office even making presidential policy decisions in his stead.
Edith Wilson was a force of nature—independent, but deeply loyal to her husband. Her story was an interesting one I didn’t know much about until this novel. Though the topic was interesting, the story did drag quite a bit for me and I ended up speeding up my audiobook to get through it. If American history is your thing, this book is likely more intriguing to you than me.
Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media, and the author for the advanced copy of the audiobook. The President’s Wife is out now. All opinions are my own.
Http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
January 18, 2023
Having written my undergraduate thesis on Edith Wilson’s political power in her husband’s administration (and given several years of healing after the thesis process), I was excited to read a fictionalized version of the woman I knew so well.
Additionally, I am a huge fan of The American President, which features a widowed president dating while in the White House, which this story emulated, just 75 years earlier.
While I understand that the story was following true events that could not be altered for the sake of fiction, I didn’t find Edith’s story to have enough narrative thrust to be compelling. Knowing what was coming as I did, I often wished to skip past some of the more mundane events to get to the more exciting. I fully expected the bill of the novel to take place after Wilson’s stroke when Edith had the most power and influence, but I was surprised that the focus was really on the war and League of Nations.
Additionally, I am a huge fan of The American President, which features a widowed president dating while in the White House, which this story emulated, just 75 years earlier.
While I understand that the story was following true events that could not be altered for the sake of fiction, I didn’t find Edith’s story to have enough narrative thrust to be compelling. Knowing what was coming as I did, I often wished to skip past some of the more mundane events to get to the more exciting. I fully expected the bill of the novel to take place after Wilson’s stroke when Edith had the most power and influence, but I was surprised that the focus was really on the war and League of Nations.
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October 11, 2023
I started this book over a week ago and struggled to read it without breaks. It’s beautifully written and character driven, but there isn’t enough to make me hold on or invest in these characters. At 52% it is a DNF.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy to review.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy to review.
March 19, 2024
Very slow moving. Struggled to finish. Too many extraneous details such as what Edith and Woodrow ate for breakfast on their honeymoon! Would not recommend.
August 18, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Edith Bolling is in no rush to find a new husband; as a wealthy widow with a thriving business she is loving life by traveling and spending time with her friends. Soon she is being courted by the romantic President Woodrow Wilson and is married while he is in office during his first term. Edith proves to be an asset to him as his health fails during WWI and the peace negotiations that follow.
🇺🇸
I thought this book was very interesting! Even as a history student I didn’t know much information about Edith and her role in the Wilson administration. We’ve all heard of Wilson’s work with WWI, specifically the Fourteen Points and his desire for a League of Nations; however Edith was supporting him behind the scenes and after his stroke in 1919. Edith was as close as being president as could be by prescreening all the concerns and taking meetings while Wilson was recuperating.
🇺🇸
Although this is fiction the book explores her thoughts and ideas of her actions after the war and with peace negotiations and if they helped contribute to WWII; the deadliest war in modern history. Edith does feel some guilt of how handled affairs considering all the moving pieces and her own ideals to what a new world would look like in her eyes and her husband’s eyes. If she acted differently would the peace be have been stronger and prevented such a horrible war?
🇺🇸
I loved the romance in the story - who knew that Wilson was such a romantic! I love that the book had excerpts of love letters they wrote to each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for a free digital copy on exchange for an honest review. This book will be published 15 AUGUST 2023.
Edith Bolling is in no rush to find a new husband; as a wealthy widow with a thriving business she is loving life by traveling and spending time with her friends. Soon she is being courted by the romantic President Woodrow Wilson and is married while he is in office during his first term. Edith proves to be an asset to him as his health fails during WWI and the peace negotiations that follow.
🇺🇸
I thought this book was very interesting! Even as a history student I didn’t know much information about Edith and her role in the Wilson administration. We’ve all heard of Wilson’s work with WWI, specifically the Fourteen Points and his desire for a League of Nations; however Edith was supporting him behind the scenes and after his stroke in 1919. Edith was as close as being president as could be by prescreening all the concerns and taking meetings while Wilson was recuperating.
🇺🇸
Although this is fiction the book explores her thoughts and ideas of her actions after the war and with peace negotiations and if they helped contribute to WWII; the deadliest war in modern history. Edith does feel some guilt of how handled affairs considering all the moving pieces and her own ideals to what a new world would look like in her eyes and her husband’s eyes. If she acted differently would the peace be have been stronger and prevented such a horrible war?
🇺🇸
I loved the romance in the story - who knew that Wilson was such a romantic! I love that the book had excerpts of love letters they wrote to each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for a free digital copy on exchange for an honest review. This book will be published 15 AUGUST 2023.
August 3, 2024
The most interesting passage in the book: Woodrow Wilson planned to resign early if he lost the election to Justice Hughes, the Republican candidate in 1916. A country at the brink of war, a prolonged transfer of power at a critical time would not do, he reasoned. Wilson thought the months from the election until the inauguration in March might be better served by the newly elected president.
How would that work? “I would, of course, need agreements from the V.P., Secretary of State Lancing and Hughes. We wouldn’t proceed unless that was in place. First Lansing would resign and I would appoint Hughes as Secretary of State. Once he was confirmed, V.P. Marshall and I would resign bringing Justice Hughes into the White House.”
When Edith Wilson saw, during the war, that White House china was not made in the U.S. she got Wilson to agree to order it from Lenox in Massachusetts. It was the first American-made bone china service for the White House.
Sheep were brought to mow the White House grass in support of the war effort.
Wilson suffered from asthma, headaches, strokes and had little appetite. Vice President Marshall was reported to say he wouldn’t serve as president if Wilson stepped down due to a stroke. He was there only to balance the ticket it said.
The story was descriptive of places and people and their courtship. It was a nice read but not what I’d call riveting.
How would that work? “I would, of course, need agreements from the V.P., Secretary of State Lancing and Hughes. We wouldn’t proceed unless that was in place. First Lansing would resign and I would appoint Hughes as Secretary of State. Once he was confirmed, V.P. Marshall and I would resign bringing Justice Hughes into the White House.”
When Edith Wilson saw, during the war, that White House china was not made in the U.S. she got Wilson to agree to order it from Lenox in Massachusetts. It was the first American-made bone china service for the White House.
Sheep were brought to mow the White House grass in support of the war effort.
Wilson suffered from asthma, headaches, strokes and had little appetite. Vice President Marshall was reported to say he wouldn’t serve as president if Wilson stepped down due to a stroke. He was there only to balance the ticket it said.
The story was descriptive of places and people and their courtship. It was a nice read but not what I’d call riveting.
August 13, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for what was an outstanding and well-researched book. I truly got, what I believe to be the best of reading historical fiction, from this book. I learned and I enjoyed.
I’d heard the story of Edith Wilson assuming the presidency after the President had a stroke. What I didn’t know was so much more and what I found in this book. How Edith had been raised and shaped by a small southern environment, that she was not in favor of women’s right to vote, that she decrypted/encrypted wartime messages for her husband and gave him advice on a plethora of issues. All this and more put her in a position to carry out the policies of her husband or influence policy with her own considerations. It seemed she was plagued with that doubt even onto her own death, but she preserved her husband’s legacy.
This was a throughly researched piece of work. Aside from that, it was a compelling read that not only focused on history, but on relationships. The romance of the Wilson’s, their family and extended relatives, political loyalties and lack thereof. How all of those may have impacted decisions and actions taken.
Outstanding book!
I’d heard the story of Edith Wilson assuming the presidency after the President had a stroke. What I didn’t know was so much more and what I found in this book. How Edith had been raised and shaped by a small southern environment, that she was not in favor of women’s right to vote, that she decrypted/encrypted wartime messages for her husband and gave him advice on a plethora of issues. All this and more put her in a position to carry out the policies of her husband or influence policy with her own considerations. It seemed she was plagued with that doubt even onto her own death, but she preserved her husband’s legacy.
This was a throughly researched piece of work. Aside from that, it was a compelling read that not only focused on history, but on relationships. The romance of the Wilson’s, their family and extended relatives, political loyalties and lack thereof. How all of those may have impacted decisions and actions taken.
Outstanding book!
August 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this story about Woodrow Wilson's second wife, Edith Bolling Wilson. I never really knew anything about her before reading this book and I am so glad I did. She was a widow and not really looking for a husband, but Woodrow charmed her into marrying him. She was a quiet trailblazer during this time as she played golf with Wilson, loved baseball, drove her own car all over DC and East Coast, and was the sounding board for the President and his policies and decisions. Edith got along with Wilson's daughters from his first marriage (first wife passed away). Surprising though she was not a support of the Suffragette Movement. The President's health was not great and without her support and strength, his presidency would have turned out differently, I think. This is an historical fiction novel, with the central focus being the love story between Edith and Woodrow. I enjoyed the behind the scenes imagining of life at the White House and how Edith wasn't afraid to make decisions based on her beliefs. The book's timeline includes World War I, but this it is the background, and not a war-themed story. As a resident of Maryland and frequent visitor to DC, I enjoyed the local references to Hains Point and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, among others. If you are looking for an interesting HF story about this era, I highly recommend this book. I give it 4.5 stars.
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. The views expressed are my own.
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. The views expressed are my own.
October 27, 2023
I would give this four stars but for the fact that the author didn’t feel the need to provide an afterward talking about what was fact and where she took literary liberties. I enjoyed the book. I felt I learned a lot about a time and people about which I knew little. I thought Edith’s character was well drawn and engaging, as where her supporting cast, but I also felt that the woman deserved some acknowledgement beyond the fiction. I hope the author did extensive research before taking the liberty of telling a very private story, or at least drawing some very broad conclusions. I thought the real historical figures deserved some acknowledgment and recognition as well. I hate it when historical fiction writers neglect this very important part of what they do.
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