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3.0 out of 5 stars
The Woman Behind the Throne in America., August 21, 2006
This review is from: First Ladies: Women Who Called The White House Home (First Ladies) (Paperback)
Not all of the First Ladies were Presidents' wifes. Some were unmarried, others widowers. The women who did serve as official hostess were all unique and individual in what they tried to do. Not often does a woman have the chance to do such elaborate entertaining, at least not in the old days. Sarah Polk banned dancing at the White House and insisted on a strictly formal regime. Dolly Madison had been in charge of gay (the old definition), happy occasions and had a cake named after her. Mrs. Lincoln would have been the grand dame had she not become unglued after the death of son Tad, and witnessing the murder of her husband. Mrs. Kennedy brought an elegance and bought all new china for entertaining. She was as much like a movie star as we ever had, even with her little Marilyn Monroe voice.
As First Lady, Mrs. Johnson took on an outside project of having wildflowers planted along the Interstates of her hometown, Texas. The beauty along the highways (they lack dense trees and foliage like Tennessee) was so noted, and many years later we have red poppies and other wildflowers in clumps and bunches at some spots along our wide system of interstates. Perhaps other states have followed suit.
Claudia (called Lady Bird from her youth) chose a jonquil-yellow long gown with matched coat, complete with sable, to emulate the preceding First Lady. The color of bright, vivid yellow is probably the reason her gown is not in the Smithsonian collection. It might have gone across big in Dallas, but not in D.C., even if it was created by a New Yorker. Mary Todd Lincoln chose a royal purple velvet gown, as befitting her wealthy status in Kentucky. You'd think she might have come from Knoxville as purple is the choice of many women here.
Claudia's father was a farmer and businessman aptly named Thomas Jefferson Taylor. She had a fabulous education and graduated from the University of Texas with a law degree thirty years before Hillary got hers. So she could have been the first First Lady to be a lawyer, though she did not practice as she was married soon after graduation and raised two lovely daughters.
As wife of the Vice president, she went on official trips with her husband to 33 countries. She went to Dallas as the wife of the Vice President and returned as the First Lady. The assassin's bullet took the life of the most popular U. S. President ever in the state of Texas on November 22, 1963. Lyndon took the oath of office on the plane carrying Kennedy's body back to the nation's capital. He was always an impatient man and led this country into an inner turmoil which will never be over. Amid the chaotic confusion that followed after JFK's untimely death, she was thrust to the forefront, assuming duties and responsibilities of hostess at the White House during the days of deep mourning. All traces of the Kennedys were obliterated as if they had never been in the White House. It was a travesty against such a fine politician, his family, and the country who stayed glued to the t.v. set to watch John-John salute his father's casket on the horse-driven cortege. Nothing the Johnsons achieved in office will ever erase that from the souls and consciences of his "fellow Americans." She was the perfect mate for the politician who had to have his way -- gracious and kind. Her family background helped her to serve our country in a stately way.
The White House is the place all Americans desire to tour. The day I took my boys to Washington, DC, it was closed (off-limits to the public) as they were entertaining the Russian leader. Even Dulles House where he spent the night was blocked to traffic. We went around in circles but we inadvertently found the Westgate Hotel and I got out of the car to take Geoffrey's picture as he is the one who recognized it.
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