It's time for the ladies--the First Ladies, that is--to get their time in the spotlight

What does a First Lady do? What makes a First Lady successful? If you've always wanted to know, this is the place to come to for the answers! This reference has the inside scoop on all the First Ladies, including Michelle Obama's campaigns for healthy eating and Jackie Kennedy's emphasis on art and culture. In First Ladies For Dummies, you'll find out how these women's values, initiatives, and style have influenced all our lives, and how they've become true role models for generations.

With the detailed biographies and personal profiles in First Ladies For Dummies, you'll gain a well-rounded knowledge of the United States' 47 First Ladies. From Martha to Melania, from Jackie to Dr. Jill, and everyone in between, every First Lady has left her stamp on the White House, in the Rose Garden, and in history, and this book covers it all. It includes:

• An historical context for a deeper understanding of the world these First Ladies lived in

• Accounts of their childhoods and early lives to learn who these women were before they stepped foot in the White House

• Each First Lady's interests and achievements

  Whether you're a history fanatic or just curious about these highly accomplished women, you'll find lots of fun facts about them in First Ladies For Dummies. Pick up your copy to be in the know!

  Autorentext

Marcus Stadelmann, PhD, is a Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science and History at the University of Texas at Tyler. Along with teaching at universities in California, Utah, and Texas, Dr. Stadelmann is the author or co-author of eight books in his discipline, including U.S. Presidents For Dummies. His favorite First Lady is Dolley Madison.

Klappentext

47 unique women. 47 engrossing tales.

Few historical characters have fascinated the public like the First Ladies of the United States of America. From Martha Washington to Dr. Jill Biden, the triumphs and stumbles of these powerful women have been the subject of debate for centuries. Perfect for history fanatics as well as those just a little curious about how the wives of American presidents have risen to meet history in their own unique ways, First Ladies For Dummies tells the gripping stories of the women behind the Oval Office. Inside

• **Grasp their historical contexts
• Explore what drove them
• Find out about their histories
• Learn about their values
• Understand their styles
• Measure their impact on culture
• Uncover the truth behind the gossip

• Discover little-known facts**

  Zusammenfassung
  It's time for the ladiesthe First Ladies, that isto get their time in the spotlight

  What does a First Lady do? What makes a First Lady successful? If you've always wanted to know, this is the place to come to for the answers! This reference has the inside scoop on all the First Ladies, including Michelle Obama's campaigns for healthy eating and Jackie Kennedy's emphasis on art and culture. In First Ladies For Dummies, you'll find out how these women's values, initiatives, and style have influenced all our lives, and how they've become true role models for generations.

  With the detailed biographies and personal profiles in First Ladies For Dummies, you'll gain a well-rounded knowledge of the United States' 47 First Ladies. From Martha to Melania, from Jackie to Dr. Jill, and everyone in between, every First Lady has left her stamp on the White House, in the Rose Garden, and in history, and this book covers it all. It includes:

• An historical context for a deeper understanding of the world these First Ladies lived in
• Accounts of their childhoods and early lives to learn who these women were before they stepped foot in the White House

• Each First Lady's interests and achievements
  Whether you're a history fanatic or just curious about these highly accomplished women, you'll find lots of fun facts about them in First Ladies For Dummies. Pick up your copy to be in the know!

  Inhalt

Introduction 1

About This Book 2

Conventions Used in This Book 2

Icons Used in This Book 3

Beyond the Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: Understanding First Ladies 5

Chapter 1: The Changing Role of First Ladies in the United States 7

First Ladies in U.S History 8

Defining a First Lady 8

Powers of the First Lady 10

The Evolution of the Position of First Lady 12

Phase I (17891829) 12

Phase II (18291869) 13

Phase III (18691933) 13

Phase IV (1933Present) 14

Chapter 2: First Lady Rankings and Evaluations 17

Evaluating the First Ladies 18

Ranking U.S First Ladies 19

The Siena Research Institute Survey 20

Discussing ten evaluation criteria 22

Part 2: Setting the Precedent 25

Chapter 3: Becoming the First First Lady 27

Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (17311802) 28

Joining Forces with George, the Love of Her Life 29

Taking an active role 29

Becoming a war hero 29

Going First: From Lady Washington to First Lady 30

Learning her way 32

Starting traditions 32

Taking sides 33

Hosting the World in Retirement 33

Chapter 4: Setting Precedents 37

Abigail Smith Adams (17441818) 37

Becoming a revolutionary 39

Living life abroad 39

Becoming First Lady 40

Turning into Mrs President 40

Moving to and hating Washington, D.C 42

Living out her life 42

Becoming famous after her death 43

Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (17481782) 43

Dying too soon 45

Becoming First Lady after her death 45

Dolley Payne Todd Madison (17681849) 46

Moving forward with charm and popularity 47

Blazing the trail for future First Ladies 49

Saving a painting 49

Becoming the first lady named First Lady 51

Chapter 5: Continuing to Set an Example 53

Elizabeth Kortright Monroe (17681830) 54

Going abroad and saving an American hero's wife 55

Embracing European life 56

Going home and being miserable 57

Louisa Johnson Adams (17751852) 58

Living an adventure 60

Becoming First Lady 61

Seeking the election of 1824 62

Going back to Washington, D.C 63

Rachel Donelson Jackson (17671828) 63

Meeting Jackson 65

Almost becoming First Lady 66

Part 3: Leading Up to a Civil War 69

Chapter 6: Calling in a First Lady Substitute 71

Hannah Hoes Van Buren (17831819) 72

Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison (17751864) 74

Letitia Christian Tyler (17901842) 76

Being the wife of an absent politician 77

Allowing Priscilla Tyler to step in 78

Julia Gardiner Tyler (18201889) 79

Becoming the youngest First Lady, briefly 80

Going home to Virginia 81

Dying a Confederate 81

Chapter 7: Acting Like a President 83

Sarah Childress Polk (18031891) 83

Becoming a Politician-Er, Wife of One 84

Getting into politics 85

Becoming a working First Lady 86

Helping make policy 88

Going into Retirement Alone 90

Chapter 8: To Be or Not to Be First Lady 93

Margaret Smith Taylor (17881852) 93

Having a family and traveling America 94

Preferring to remain private 95

Abigail Powers Fillmore (17981853) 96

Tutoring the (future) president 97

Becoming First Lady by default 97 Jane...