The First Ladies Paperback – June 4, 2024

Eleanor and Dr Bethune come to life in this historical novel. Make sure to read writer notes after not before.Well researched and a great write.I bought 5 copies to send to all the women in my life

I learned so much by reading this book; however, it got a little tedious and redundant. I think some of it could have been left out.

I have enjoyed reading many of Marie Benedict’s books. So I was anxious to also read this one. I learn so much from each book. This book was different. I learned so much about myself and also about how I’ve missed lessons along the way in my life. I was raised to not look at the color of a person’s skin but to be open to all people. But what was lacking was an understanding of what others have gone through in their daily lives and how that affected them and how I might have had a part in that without even realizing it. I am a senior citizen who is not through learning how to make the world a better place for us all.

More stories like this should be written. It brings to life reality and how things should be. Life is so short and some squander it away in their narrow-mindedness. I loved this book.

A fictional story based on the genuine and revealing friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt, an outspoken first lady and strong proponent of women's rights and equality for all, and Activist, Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune (known as "First Lady of the Struggle”) who fought for the rights of the “negro”. Their friendship occurred during a time when it was almost unheard of for blacks and whites to share a close friendship - especially in public.Several years following his near death from polio, Theodore Roosevelt was still working to strengthen himself. He used a wheelchair only in private. In public he wanted to be seen as strong. In 1898 he was elected as the Governor of New York, later he became the 26th president of the United States. After Eleanor discovered that Teddy was having an ongoing extramarital affair they lived together as husband and wife in name only but remained political partners.The book begins in 1927 and runs through the epilogue in 1945. The chapters are very brief and alternate the point-of-view of Mary and Eleanor. The reading can be slow and the book itself is quite detailed and repetitive. Since the events are told from two points of view, everything was repeated. Sometimes I felt like I was reading the diaries of the two women rather than a novel. Initially, the book was quite compelling, full of interesting information on each of the women and their backgrounds. Unfortunately, there are so many extraneous details that the story deteriorated into a lot of needless minutiae. Needlessly detailed conversations and descriptions of events and people occurred throughout. Honestly, despite the fascinating subject matter, the book became tedious and I considered not finishing on more than one occasion. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a Learning Experience with all of its factual and enhanced information. I loved the creative manner that the First Ladies engaged and how they genuinely supported each other personally and professionally.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Book club rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨✨✨ (3.8 average)The First LadiesBy: Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher MurrayGenre: Historical Fiction✨ First, yay for a wonderful book club at our favorite coffee shop @802_bean_company and enjoyed some St. Patty’s day drinks and a small baby shower for a member ♥️✨ This book is about two incredible women who deserve recognition for Women’s History month. I learned a lot about Mary Bethune McLeod, the First Lady of the Struggle, and Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the United States and wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The two women developed a working partnership and personal friendship during a time when it was not common for a black woman and a white woman to do so, setting the stage for progressive new policies and pushes towards equity. Swipe for synopsis!✨ I found it fascinating that the authors were only able to gather much of this history through the Pittsburgh Courier, the colored newspaper at the time. Go Pittsburgh 🖤💛✨ Mary outlined the commonalities between herself and Eleanor and these are also some of my most important beliefs:♥️A belief that youth are our future♥️A desire to elevate women♥️A dedication to education♥️A drive for service✨ I liked the short chapters and clear dual character POV.✨ I was interested in the nods to the open marriage between FDR and Eleanor as well as the alleged Boston marriage she may have had. FDR is more of a cad than I ever knew too 🤣✨ It was interesting to explore the transition of the two parties through the time - Republicans were traditionally the party of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and Democrats included the racist policies of the Southern Democrats. This began to transition and change during FDRs three term presidency due to Eleanor Roosevelt’s thinking and Mary’s party support.✨I didn’t rate this as highly as my favorite book co-written by these two, The Personal Librarian. I appreciated that it covered such a long time from the Depression to the New Deal and into WWII but I didn’t feel hugely moved by a plot. I think this one’s for those who like character relationships and development over plot driven books.

A story of love and sadness, both expressed by the first ladies. Laughter and tears shared. Lots of patience and tolerance in both women, as well as understanding.