Caroli provides an interesting overview of a position most Americans take for granted, about which they may hold very deep-seeded opinions they may not even realize. Her historical treatment provides the backdrop I would guess many people lack in drawing conclusions about contemporary first ladies, and this background is, and always would be, cogent.

I remember (with some regret) as a child remarking to my mother during the 1980 elections that Nancy Reagan was prettier than Rosalyn Carter. My mother replied, "Well, Reagan was a movie star! Don't draw your conclusions based on how they LOOK..." Now, 19 years later, I get the facts to back up my mother's admonition.

The book is only a gloss, not an in depth treatment, and Caroli states she's not trying to draw wide-ranging conclusions. The strength of the book comes in her setting forward a small written portrait of each woman and her times, giving the reader a good spring board for further study in areas of interest.

A favorite account was of Betty Ford's candor and refreshing attitude with the press. Through this book I developed a real interest in her and the work she did during her time in office. Even democratic friends say they remember her time in the White House as good years for the "office" of first lady.

Thomas, Caroli & Kessner, seem to have done a remarkable evaluation of the entire immigrant picture. I believe every individual in America, today, needs to familiarize themselves with the wonderful information, and discover the lure that America has , as well as, recognize our country's role in the world arena. Too many of us take for granted our inalienable rights, and many more of us, probably don't even know the depth of these rights, to make them our own reality. I especially like the way the authors capture the Indochine and Korean influx, as they are very recently, one of the most visible minorities present in urban life. Read their story and understand the dynamics of their decision to make America their home. This book lets the reader get to know all people on a human level. Great Job!

I enjoyed immensely this collective biography of a group of women linked by a family name made famous by two presidents. Each was a notable, and in some cases extraordinary character in her own right. It is not an easy task to untangle and explicate the intricate skeins of nine overlapping stories, but the author succeeds wonderfully by filling her book with memorable details, photographs and contexts for each of these women. I felt very well guided through the complexities of their relationships with each other and to the men of the family, and the influences they exerted, many of which have not been as clearly profiled in biographies focusing on the Roosevelt men. I was grateful for the large doses of social historical context, which helped me appreciate the scope of some of the lesser-known women's accomplishments. Caroli writes in the most affecting terms, clearly delineating each personality in her own right and in terms of the mark she left on American history. The choice to approach these women as a large group differentiates this book from other Roosevelt biographies and underlines the qualities of immense energy, curiosity, and forcefulness of character which are the common threads of these women's lives.

I found it a fascinating read and could not put the book down.

I wasn't expecting to like this book. The Roosevelt women I knew about, like Eleanor, seemed too wealthy and upper class to interest me. However, once I started reading (at a friend's recommendation), I was drawn into each of these Roosevelt women's stories. The history and politics in the book were easy to grasp, and everything that happened in the lives of the women discussed was made vivid and dramatic by the author. I wish I could sit down with her and have a cup of coffee and hear about the parts she left out.

I've just finished a wonderful book which I'd like to recommend to anyone interested in a good read. Betty Boyd Caroli's, THE ROOSEVELT WOMEN, reads like a good novel. It's filled with interesting stories, enticing gossip, and legendary women, - all combined with good history. Although I was familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt's story, I must admit that I knew very little about most of the Roosevelt women Ms. Caroli introduced me to. These aunts and cousins were role models for Eleanor - women who traveled the world, wrote books, served in state legislatures, even addressed the Republican National Convention - all while raising families and running large households. If you want some insight into the lives of the women in this very special American family, this is the book for you.

Betty Boyd Caroli has written a concise cultural history of our First Ladies. But her observations on how each era shaped the next was only mildly insigthful if not predictable hindsight.

I was disappointed there was less information about our early first ladies than there was on our more recent ones. Either some of our first ladies did not leave complete records or Coroli simply felt the more recent ones deserved more attention.

Overall, First Ladies is 80% hard research and 20% gossip of the day which will keep you turning the pages. And if you like, chapters can be read as separate essays. I found this a good book to leave out in guestroom or bathroom!