“The President’s Wife” is a historical fiction book by Tracey Enerson Wood. I’m a little bit familiar with President Woodrow Wilson - from being NJ’s governor, to President of Princeton University, and - of course - being infamous for his re-election campaign slogan “He Kept Us Out of War.” I didn’t know much about his second wife, Edith Galt, so I thought reading this book, where Edith was the main character, would be good for rounding out my knowledge of Mr. Wilson. I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, President Wilson is a rather interesting character (like him or not). He is known for forming the League of Nations (forerunner to the UN), but also, under his term, the 19th amendment was ratified (though Wilson seemed to support its passing as a way to gain votes not for equal rights). Wilson managed to both praise and also separate himself from the movie “Birth of a Nation,” which required some nice tap dancing. However, that’s all background to Edith Galt Wilson - his second wife. I felt at times that their courtship was both incredibly slow (it takes up over 25% of the book) yet also rather quick (they met, he was smitten with her, she resisted marrying him, yet also felt a spark). Wilson was known for his love letters - in fact there are online articles about his letters to Mary Peck. I think where my expectations weren’t met was that this books is really more about Edith Galt becoming President Wilson’s wife - from courtship to becoming his partner and after his presidency. I thought the book would focus a lot more on the months of her “stewardship” but it wasn’t. I think for those who don’t know a lot about this time period, this book would be an interesting read, but for me it missed the mark as it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. 3.5 stars.

This is sure to be an appealing book for lovers of history, as well as historical fiction and all things presidential. I enjoyed learning about Edith and Woodrow Wilson and their time in our country's history from this story and I even ended up researching a little more about them on my own.

The story gives us a glimpse into the sanguine, yet sometimes turbulent, lives of Edith and Woodrow Wilson, from the time they first met in 1915, when he was a newly widowed President, until they left the White House in 1921. It encompasses many historical events, such as the sinking of the Lusitania, the U.S. entry into WWI, the formation of the League of Nations after the war, and the fight for women's right to vote. Edith became very involved in what was taking place during her husband's presidency.

Like all First Ladies, Edith was a role model, an idol, and often a target of ridicule. She was devoted to her husband and her country, even when protecting one was quite possibly detrimental to the other. Her choices and actions following her husband's stroke were interesting to read about, because there is so much discussion in today's political arena about our current President's mental stability. Also, the story reveals how it was possible for unelected individuals to have an impact on critical issues affecting the nation. I wish that my history classes in school had been this fascinating.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.

If you have studied the Presidents at all you have heard the stories about Edith and Woodrow Wilson. If you are not familiar with the story pick up this book. Edith was a widow enjoying the good life with her friends when she met President Wilson. She had not thought about marrying again but he won or over or wore her down. She grew into her new role as First Lady but not in the ways that maybe other First Lady's had done. She because a trusted advisor to her husband. She accompanied him to meetings. Now here is where the interesting story comes. President Wilson has some health issues that leaves him incapacitated. Did she or didn't she assume the role of President behind the scene to help the nation continue on? She didn't let his advisors have contact with him she made all contact. Rumors abound for years that he died and she was our acting president. She was a much hated and disliked woman in Washington.

I enjoyed this take on a president I knew little about and enjoyed immensely immersing myself in the history and setting of this book . It was a well crafted book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me

Enjoyed reading this take with the Historical Fiction bend. What a fascinating time to have been alive. Was an interesting way to display the personal conflicts. Would love to continue to see what specific items were utilized to source the ideas within the writing for a stronger historical connection.

I read this as an ARC read from the publisher and Netgalley. I actually really enjoyed this novel about the affairs of Edith and Woodrow Wilson. Very interesting and a good writing style!

What an interesting insight into a very important historical time of US history! Enjoyed the well written characters and also the engrossing writing style!
Thank you Netgalley!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy and to the Publishers.

I was excited for this book as I didn't know all that much about President Woodrow Wilson and his decision making during WW1. I wanted to like the book but I really didn't get into it as I struggled to connect and care about the characters. The first couple of chapters felt incredibly rushed. We meet Edith, a strongly independent widower who loves to travel the world and took over her late husbands' business. Then almost immediately she is introduced to President Wilson and she suddenly loses all her confidence and independence. She is worried about fitting in and not being as intelligent and well read as everyone else. She finds herself falling for Woodrow and begins to dither and act like a school girl who has never been romanced before. Then suddenly he is asking her to marry him and she panics and doesn't say yes or no and keeps the poor guy on tender hooks for ages and watches as it negatively affects his health all the while playing on his emotions with her endless letter writing. Then suddenly this uneducated in politics and statehood lady is giving the President of the United States advice on how to win the war and is writing his correspondence for him.

I didn't get much further than the first 6-7- chapters. I struggled to find any positive connection with Edith and ultimately I lost interest in her story. I hope to find the time to personally do some research about her as I would like to hope the real Edith was far more likeable than this character portrayal.

An indepth look at the love affair of Woodrow and Edith Wilson, his hopes for lasting peace and her involvement in his presidency. Wonderful!

Edith is such a strong woman. Her grit is the highlight of this book. I didn't quite like Woodrow, but he makes for some interesting scenes that advance the plot. The pace is delightfully quick, and the narrative is engaging, both of which make for a splendid read. I would love to read more of these books.

I really wanted to love this book. I was so excited to learn more about Edith Wilson’s role in history, but I found this book lacking and I did not connect to the characters. After the initial pages I kind of tuned out and just stopped caring. I ultimately did not finish this book and will not be leaving reviews outside of netgalley.

Thank you so much to the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I had recently learned of Edith Wilson’s role in politics when Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke and was unable to carry out his presidential duties and was excited to read this story. Unfortunately it was a bit disappointing. I’d expected the main part of the book to concentrate on the post stroke time and the role Edith played in helping run the country along with a few trusted advisors. Unfortunately that was only a small part of the story. While I learned a lot about the Wilson years in the White House, I found myself bored with much of the middle of the book which felt a bit like an info dump. That part might have been true but did not advance the story and I found myself skimming through it. Overall this was an OK story but not one that I would highly recommend to others. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish

A great book about a period of history of which I was unfamiliar. I enjoyed the point of view of Edith Bolling Wilson. I was able to experience her struggles as the First Lady during a very tumultuous period for the United States. I learned a lot about the peace process during WWI. In addition, this story doesn't let up with the drama and suspense of the political theatre in which their lives were unfolding. In addition, this is a love story which will pull you in and tug at your heart. Thank you to Net Galley for the arc is exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read this book. I am always intrigued by these types of books. Edith, a very strong and independent lady who catches the eye of President Woodrow Wilson. They end up falling fast in love and get married. Edith ends up becoming part of his presidency. I enjoyed this book greatly.

As a whole, the dialogue was anachronistic which made it difficult to get through. The story was entertaining enough. I learned about Edith Woodrow which was interesting. As a whole, it's an easy historical fiction read.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The President's Wife is the story of Edith Bolling and her relationship and later marriage to President Woodrow Wilson. I knew very little about Edith and this was a very interesting read. She had a lot of control over what President Wilson did and who he surrounded himself with. A lot of people have said she took over the role of President when Woodrow became ill.

An interesting, informative historical novel about Edith Bolling Galt who married widower Woodrow Wilson during his first term as President of the United States. The novel begins with their meeting and courtship and continues through the election, his second term in office, and his health issues that led to Edith all but taking over the running of the country and concludes with an epilogue several decades later.

The President's Wife is very well-researched and I enjoyed learning about Woodrow Wilson's perspective on the war in Europe, his 14 points statement of principles, the establishment of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles. It was also interesting to learn more about the state of US politics early in the 20th century particularly as it related to racism and to women's rights. I had a hard time getting engaged with the story though and felt like the courtship went on far too long (close to 1/3 of the novel) when it was really Edith's role in the Wilson presidency that I was most interested in. I found Edith unlikeable due to her opposition to women's rights so that likely contributed to my ambivalence toward her story.

Overall, this was an average read for me - strong on history but not as strong on weaving the facts into an engaging story. It was a bit disappointing as I had loved the author's previous book, The Engineer's Wife, and had hoped that I would enjoy this one as much.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The President’s Wife is a service of love by Tracy Enerson Wood

Edith Bolling Galt, a world-traveling widow, businesswoman, and first woman issued a driver's license in the American capitol, was not looking for romance and certainly not one that had the power to change history. The novel opens with Edith checking into The Homestead, nestled in Hot Springs, Virginia, under an assumed name in 1946. A thoughtful yet innocent hotel clerk inquires if the staff can assist her with deterring guests from asking for her autograph. Such a question causes Edith to pause and reflect on the past few decades since her honeymoon spent there in the days prior to the Great War. Her response closed with, “. . .Some say that if you boil it all down, trace back in history to a decision made in the decades previous, all signs point to one person. One person who could have intervened, who had the opportunity, the moment, the power to change the course of events so a different path could have been taken. And that person is little ol’ me.”

Tracy Enerson Wood’s, The President’s Wife, reads much akin to a docudrama following the love affair between Edith Bolling Galt and then American President Woodrow Wilson. The intense love and respect shared between the pair during tumultuous world events led Edith to assist her beloved in his affairs to spend time with him. When a catastrophic illness strikes the President, Edith is poised to tend to her husband and the nation in a manner that she never anticipated. Will she come to terms with the effects of serving her beloved and her country out of pure love for each?

I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction inspired by true events and people, WWI history, WWII history, Women's history, and the American presidency. Tracy Enerson Wood’s novel is well-researched and crafted. I learned new facets of American history and a great respect for President Woodrow Wilson and Mrs. Edith Wilson. After reading this work, I feel inspired to embark on an adventure to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library in Staunton, VA. I may even venture into Hot Springs, Virginia, and stay at the now Omni Homestead Resort.

I love historical fiction and this was no exception. I knew virtually nothing about Edith Wilson and Woodrow Wilson.. Tracey Emerson Wood does an excellent job bringing these two characters to life with World War I as the backdrop. I especially enjoyed reading about their travels and her attempts to keep his poor health a secret. At the end of his second term, Edith was clearly running the show. With so much discussion about older presidents’ health, this book is particularly timely. I highly recommend it. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.