First Ladies - Rilegato

The First Lady is a public office which is unique to the United States. No other country holds equivalent expectations of the person who happens to be married to the highest officer in the nation. This is the first study of the role of these women, and of its significance to the position of women in American society at large. The author, who finds that many of the First Ladies were not as traditional as has been assumed, discusses the issues raised by public recognition that they were often important advisers, as well as being ambitious in their own right. She also analyzes their influence on American politics and life in a book that provides new insight in understanding the role of women in American society and how this role has and continues to change.