Hidden Power, Kati Marton
Hidden Power, Kati Marton
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Hidden Power
Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History

Author: Kati Marton

Narrator: Jane Alexander

Abridged: 5 hr 46 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/18/2001


Synopsis

An extraordinary work of history and original reporting that reveals the ways in which presidential marriages have affected the tone, character, and policies of twelve administrations, from Woodrow and Edith Wilson to George W. and Laura Bush.

Each of the marriages that Kati Marton examines in this hugely appealing book offers up its own unexpected lessons about power and marriage, about the influence of presidential wives, and about the evolution of women’s roles in the twentieth century. Based on private White House documents and on interviews with the participants and with eyewitnesses to presidential events, Hidden Power explores how both the personal dynamics and public faces of White House marriages have shaped our history.

We see Edith Wilson literally running the government when her deeply beloved husband becomes ill; how the combination of Franklin Roosevelt’s reassuring spirit and his wife’s humility guided the country through Depression and war; how Bess Truman’s loyalty, bluntness, and unpretentiousness were some of her
husband’s greatest resources; the superb and necessary diplomacy of Jacqueline Kennedy.

We observe Lady Bird Johnson retaining her own compass in the face of massive criticism of her husband; how Patricia Nixon’s estrangement from her husband fed his paranoia; how the Fords reassured us after the debacles of Vietnam and Watergate; Rosalynn Carter’s struggle to carve out new territory as first lady; the generally constructive role Nancy Reagan played, despite her frivolous reputation; the razor-sharp political instincts behind Barbara Bush’s grandmotherly image; how Hillary Clinton saved her husband’s presidency; and how Laura Bush provides emotional ballast for her husband.

Here are the stories of the ultimate power couples—each one very different, but all of them informative, lively, and absolutely fascinating.

About The Author

Kati Marton is the author of four previous books, including The Polk Conspiracy, Raoul Wallenberg and A Death in Jerusalem. A former correspondent for NPR and ABC News, she has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair, and The New Republic. She lives in New York City with her husband, Richard Holbrooke.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Michelle | PurelyBooks on December 04, 2021

I am so embarrassed to say that I took years to finish reading this book. I began reading it in college, got busy, and didn’t pick it up again for another 10 years! I picked it up again on March 7, 2020, though, I didn’t finish reading it until a bit over a year later on April 28, 2021! You may ask......more

Goodreads review by Karla on August 27, 2008

A fascinating look at the private side of public life and how the stressers of the presidency united and/or divided the presidents and their wives. Even more interesting to me was the way each of the wives interpreted her role as first lady and how that fit or clashed with society's view of her role......more

Goodreads review by Anne on April 02, 2013

Interesting to pick up and put down - begins with "fools for love" about Edith and Woodrow Wilson and the next is The Partnership That Changed the World" - Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. I"ll keep you posted. So far I'm fascinated .........more

Goodreads review by Beth on February 08, 2012

Very interesting. New perspective on history. So many first ladies lost parents early in life; did that lead them to marrying powerful men? Makes me want to read more about presidential history.......more

Goodreads review by John Ryan on October 26, 2022

Marton covers First Ladies from Wilson to the start of Bush II. Each had different relationships, from equal partnership to clear avoidance. From Edith Wilson propping up her husband after his stroke, to “two for the price of one” Clinton, to an absentee First Lady like Nixon. While most of the Firs......more


Quotes

“Insightful. . . . Colorful. . . . A shrewd and illuminating look at the juncture where the personal and the political overlap.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Irresistible. . . . An entertaining shot of history. . . . Scores of interviews and extensive research have turned up some revealing anecdotes and shrewd insights.” –The New York Times

“Brilliant. . . . Delectable. . . . Marton has a deft hand with narrative. . . . It’s the intimate, keyhole view of these marriages that gives Hidden Power its allure.” –Newsday

“Fascinating . . . well-researched.” –The New York Times Book Review