Faith of Our Mothers: The Stories of Presidential Mothers from Mary Washington to Barbara Bush (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "WHAT TO MAKE of the mother of the father of our nation has long challenged historians..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, New York, John Quincy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Faith of Our Mothers tells the remarkable stories of the mothers of our nation's presidents and of their influence on their sons. Presidential scholar Harold Gullan explores these engaging persons in chronological order, examining the lives and formative roles played by America's forty-three first mothers.

A fascinating read, Faith of Our Mothers delves into a significant but neglected facet of American history. In examining the "faith" of the presidential mothers, Gullan describes primarily their faith in their sons' potential, but he also looks at their (often) devout religious faith. Where possible, Gullan also touches on their ancestry, childhood, and marriage, as well as telling the story of the years after the birth of their presidential sons.

Popularly written and accented with pictures of many of the figures discussed, Faith of Our Mothers provides a unique look at the maternal inspiration behind the presidents—and our nation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 406 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802849261
• ISBN-13: 978-0802849267
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,008,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the hand the rocks the cradle....., June 21, 2002

By	Karen Sampson Hudson "Karen Sampson Hudson" (Reno, NV United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Harold Gullan's well-researched provides us with an entertaining look at the First Mothers. He has grouped them not in straight chronological fashion but instead by categories such as "Maternal Ambition" and "Continuity and Change."
The mothers since around 1900 are more fully fleshed out, since more material is available about them than about the women of previous times, with the exception of Abigail Adams. The wide correspondence of John Q. Adams' mother provides us with a detailed picture of her life and times.
Whether they were hard-working, hands-on moms like Hannah Nixon on the West Coast, or wealthy like Rose Kennedy and Sarah Roosevelt on the East Coast who employed nannies to change diapers, all the First Mothers loved and supported their sons, influenced and inspired them. Some adhered to the values of the Puritan faith of early America, and its characteristics of simple living, cheerfulness, and service. Others, like two southerners, Virginia Kelley and Lillian Carter, were free spirited individuals. Can you grow up to be president if your mom cooks for the family only on Sunday and relies on others to fill in during the week? Ask Jimmy Carter!
"Remember the ladies," Abigail Adams advised her husband. Kudoes to Harold Gullan for following her suggestion and giving us "Faith of our Mothers."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patriotic Inspiration, November 2, 2001

By A Customer

What a perfect book for these difficult times. This book is filled with inspirational and insightful stories about the mothers of our nation's presidents. I'd highly recommend it as a Christmas gift!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good history and good reading, January 24, 2002

By	Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

What a delightful book. It is well written and intersting. By looking at each Presidential mother the reader will many times have a better understanding of the son. The author doesn't sugar coat anything.Many of these women were incredibly galant, good or bold but others were poor or ineffectual mothers. The author mentions gently, that Franklin Pierce's mother had a drinking problem--and so did Franklin and talks candidly about the smothering domineering ways of FDR's mother. I very much enjoyed it.

Kimberley Lindsay Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men