First Ladies (DK Eyewitness Books) [Hardcover]

DK Publishing (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: DK Eyewitness Books

Meet forty-five dynamic women -- from Martha Washington to America's newest first lady. Here is a captivating, photo-filled guide to the extraordinary women who have made their mark on the White House, and the nation. Eyewitness First Ladies explores the second hardest job in America--and the forty-five exceptional women who did it. Filled with stunning, full-color photographs of personal mementos, family pictures, and campaign memorabilia, this is an engaging visual tour of U.S. History, as seen through the eyes of America's first ladies. See Dolly Madison's snuffbox, Mary Todd Lincoln's mourning cape, Edith Wilson's tiara, Eleanor Roosevelt's writing desk, and Pat Nixon's party favors. Learn about the part Martha Washington played in the American Revolution, why the White House can be both a palace and a prison, how Frances Harding won her husband's campaign, and of the scandal that haunted Rachel Jackson. Discover why Jackie Kennedy won an Emmy Award, which president's wife was the first to attend cabinet meetings, the first lady who was suspected of treason, and much much more.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Rachel Jackson. Jane Pierce. Ellen Arthur. Eliza Johnson. Recognize any of these names? How about Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Rodham Clinton, or Laura Bush? That's right. Every one of these women was (or is) married to a president of the United States. Certain first ladies have staked their claim in history, either because their husbands were especially popular as president or because of their own activities and accomplishments in the White House. But many more have almost slipped into obscurity.

First Ladies, in the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness popular reference book series, introduces readers to every one of America's first ladies, including the sisters and nieces who stepped in as official hostesses when needed. Learn about the first ladies who played exceptionally strong roles in their husbands' administrations--at a time when women were only expected to meekly look after their households. Many of these women changed the course of history, using their own influence and that of the president to achieve women's suffrage, fight against racism, and advocate for education. Stunning photos and illustrations of these remarkable women fill the pages, detailing their clothing, fans, and jewelry; their campaign buttons and knickknacks; and their husbands. The photos are accompanied by compelling captions and brief text about each woman, as well as a box highlighting the president she married, her years as first lady, and her birth, marriage, and death dates. Young readers of both genders will be proud to trace America's history through the eyes of these behind-the-scenes powerhouses. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Review

The folks at DK have almost single-handedly rejuvenated if not reinvented the often moribund world of non-fiction books for children. [Eyewitness series] (Newsweek) ...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] (The New York Times) These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] (School Library Journal) ...a fascinating guide... (Kansas City Star)

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN; 1St Edition edition (April 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789473976
• ISBN-13: 978-0789473974
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,086,220 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Women, June 7, 2002

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Ladies (DK Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

"How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself." -Anais Nin (1903-1977)

Being a First Lady is undeniably challenging. Here, you will meet forty-four dynamic women who made their mark on the White House and the nation. In an "eyewitness" format, this guide explores their lives through stunning full-color photographs and brief summaries of their lives.

You will soon gain a new respect for women who were willing to give up a simpler and less stressful existence to serve our nation.

Find out how Martha Washington risked her life to travel thousands of miles from the comfort and security of her home to visit General Washington at his field headquarters and how she tended to the sick and even helped mend uniforms.

See how calmly Dolley Madison handled the looting and burning of Washington and calmly kept her head in a crisis when having to relocate to temporary quarters.

Through the ages, you see how the President's wives took more and more responsibilities and encouraged their husband's success.

I also enjoyed all the pictures of the trinkets, designer gowns, campaign memorabilia, gifts and jewelry.

A visual journey of the evolution of women in America.

There is no box
made by God
nor us
But that the sides
can be flattened
and the top blown off
to make a dance floor
on which to
celebrate life.
- Kenneth Caraway

~The Rebecca Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and Informative, July 2, 2002

By 

Allyn "pianogirl" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: First Ladies (DK Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

First Ladies have always interested me, and I thought this Eyewitness book was a wonderful book on the topic. It has a page or two on every First Lady since Martha Washington-maybe more if the First Lady was extremely popular. Good photographs of the First Ladies themselves, as well as their clothing and possessions, enhance the well-written text. The text not only focuses on the bare facts of each lady's life, but includes interesting facts and "personality sketches." "Eyewitness: First Ladies" taught me about many first ladies that I had never even heard of before, and it is a "must" for anyone interested in the topic.