Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History [Paperback]

Kati Marton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 2002

Kati Marton’s bestselling Hidden Power is an engrossing look at twelve presidential marriages–from Edith and Woodrow Wilson to Laura and George W. Bush–that have profoundly affected America’s history.

Marton uncovers the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the ultimate power couples, showing how first ladies have used their privileged access to the president to influence staffing, promote causes, and engage directly in policy-making. Edith Wilson secretly ran the country after Woodrow’s debilitating stroke. Eleanor Roosevelt was FDR’s moral compass. And Laura Bush, initially shy of any public role, has proven to be the emotional ballast for her husband. Through extensive research and interviews, Marton reveals the substantial–yet often overlooked–legacy of presidential wives, providing insight into the evolution of women’s roles in the twentieth century and vividly depicting the synergy of these unique political partnerships.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Insightful. . . . Colorful. . . . A shrewd and illuminating look at the juncture where the personal and the political overlap.” –The Wall Street Journal

“Irresistible. . . . An entertaining shot of history. . . . Scores of interviews and extensive research have turned up some revealing anecdotes and shrewd insights.” –The New York Times

“Brilliant. . . . Delectable. . . . Marton has a deft hand with narrative. . . . It’s the intimate, keyhole view of these marriages that gives Hidden Power its allure.” –Newsday

“Fascinating . . . well-researched.” –The New York Times Book Review

From the Inside Flap

Kati Marton?s bestselling Hidden Power is an engrossing look at twelve presidential marriages?from Edith and Woodrow Wilson to Laura and George W. Bush?that have profoundly affected America?s history.

Marton uncovers the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the ultimate power couples, showing how first ladies have used their privileged access to the president to influence staffing, promote causes, and engage directly in policy-making. Edith Wilson secretly ran the country after Woodrow?s debilitating stroke. Eleanor Roosevelt was FDR?s moral compass. And Laura Bush, initially shy of any public role, has proven to be the emotional ballast for her husband. Through extensive research and interviews, Marton reveals the substantial?yet often overlooked?legacy of presidential wives, providing insight into the evolution of women?s roles in the twentieth century and vividly depicting the synergy of these unique political partnerships.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (July 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385721889
• ISBN-13: 978-0385721882
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,816 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Succinct, Entertaining, Insightful, August 22, 2003

By 

Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History (Paperback)

This is more than a study of the evolution of American society than a history per se of Presidential marriages. The one theme - - apart from the relationship between personal and political lives - is how First Ladies viewed and interpreted that most ambiguous of positions. For this is a story told from the point of view of the woman - not the man - and for that reason it is all the more intriguing.

Each President has natural strengths but the adage "Behind every successful man is a woman" was never truer. The marriages can be divided into three categories - normal, those that recovered and those that never reconciled.

In the first category are Truman, Ford, Bush I, Bush II, Reagan and Carter. Lady Bird and Jackie chose to accept infidelity as part and parcel of the marriage while Roosevelt, Nixon and Clinton committed acts that forever scarred. Indeed, sexual infidelity seems a secondary theme. Eleanor never trusted FDR after her discovery, Jackie sought refuge in other arenas, Lady Bird found a life in other activities and Hillary - the most humiliated of all - found solace in a career apart from her husband.

As far as ideological sway, I found very little to challenge. True, the author seemed to praise Democratic administrations more than Republican ones but her personal stories were strictly non-partisan. She would sum up a chapter such as ,"The Clinton Administration is the story of a marriage" or "For Nancy, it was always only Ronnie." She managed to find the essence of the relationship and her conclusions were not only surprising but surprisingly on target.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and informational, but quite biased by author, November 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History (Paperback)

The book covers several presidential marriages of the 20th century. I knew very little about the presidents of the early 1900's, so it was fascinating reading about the marriages and issues of the times. It was clearly written by a writer who is not a historian. As evidenced by her footnotes, her research was based on other peoples books, newspapers and magazines such as Newsweek. She also interviewed a number of presidential spouses herself. The result is an intriguing blend of little-known facts and interesting quotes.

However, the author clearly formed personal opinions about each and every spouse in the book. Unfortunately her bias became stronger as the book progressed. By the time I reached the most recent presidential marriages, the book had turned into personal commentary of each presidency rather than the informational book it had been at the start.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revealing look into presidential marriages..., August 8, 2010

By 

C. Skeen (New Mexico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History (Paperback)

Hidden Power by Kati Marton was a fascinating and revealing look into presidential marriages. These marriages not only shaped our country's history but also relected the culture at the time. It was a real page turner that was hard to put down. This is said by one who usually reads mysteries and thrillers and a few biographies! This book was written in a way to keep your attention and want to know more. It tells so much more about the inner workings of the govenment and the White House and the first families that we never learned in history class.
Thanks for enlightening me, and offering this book used at an excellant price! I saw the author interviewed on televion and immediately searched Amazon for the book.
Carole Skeen