Books in the Modern First Ladies series

For millions of Americans, Nancy Reagan was the always-smiling and admiring presidential spouse who stood by her man. This book strikes a balance between the images of adoring helpmate and manipulative manager, showing us the woman behind the stereotypes and offering an objective understanding of her place in the history of presidential wives.

For most first ladies, their years in the White House are their sole claim to fame. For one - Hillary Rodham Clinton - that tenure was just another step in a remarkable political career. This book provides a look at arguably the most polarizing first lady in history and undoubtedly the most prominent American woman of our time.

Florence Kling Harding has come down through history as one of our most scorned first ladies. This book offers a full treatment of Florence as first lady rather than as mere supporting actress in the Harding administration. It also describes how Mrs Harding supported racial equality, and maintained a lifelong interest in preventing animal cruelty.

Nancy Beck Young presents a documented study of Lou Henry Hoover's White House years, 1929-1933, showing that, far from a passive prelude to Eleanor Roosevelt, she was a true innovator.

Mamie Doud Eisenhower was a president's wife who seemed to most Americans like the friend next door. This biography captures the winning personality that made Mrs Eisenhower an important part of both her husband's success and her cultural milieu, and relates how her experience as an army wife better prepared her for the White House.