The Presidents Wife
By Tracey Enerson Wood
Pub Date August 23
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I enjoyed learning about President Woodrow Wilson and his wife Edith. She played a major role in the Presidency,
4 stars

I always find it interesting to read the 'behind the scenes' of the former presidents. How different the outcomes of those situations in the World Wars might have been if the 21st century media was in place. This was a truly interesting look at the presidency of Woodrow Wilson and the woman 'directing traffic' behind him.

Set in World War I, this is the story of the Edith Bolling Galt, the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the great love that the Wilson’s shared.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC.

2.75

I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but the characters and the pacing just didn't work for me.

The characters didn't get a lot of development and their characterization remained rather superficial in my opinion.

Regarding the pacing, the author spends rather too much time on the initial courtship rather than on the aftermath of the president's stroke.

The framing also didn't work for me and I actually think the framing narrative could have been left out altogether.

'She was falling for his precious ideals, his sense of duty, and his willingness to sacrifice whatever he could of himself and his reputation to do the right thing...'

When widower Woodrow Wilson met widow Edith Bolling Galt, during tea at the White House, it seemed like a real coup de foudre. He put on a charm offensive and persisted with their relationship even after she initially declined his proposal, 'in this stage of our lives, time is not measured in weeks, or months or years, but by deep human experiences.' Edith had resisted not only due to the expediency of their relationship but also a reticence to the public spotlight and mixing with Ivy League political powerhouses. However, Wilson saw her as 'a voice of common sense, from the people, not just the cloistered circle of myopic government.' So as WWI kicked off, and America tried to not only maintain its neutrality but also be active peacemakers to Europe, Edit and Woodrow married. However, when Edith married the man, was she a lover, a helpmeet, or a US citizen? As Woodrow's presidency and health steered into murky and rough waters, these roles often became conflated. And, when Wilson had a severe stroke, Edith's loyalty to both man and country begins to be questioned, 'But had her love blinded her to an unwelcome truth? Had protecting her husband resulted in great suffering for the country, in the world?'

The President's Wife reflects upon Edith Wilson as not only a large driving force behind Woodrow and therefore his government, but also the woman. Her devotion and loyalty to the man and his reciprocating need to have her constantly by his side resulted in a stubborn, tunnel vision in striving for their goals. I enjoyed reading this book, although I would have enjoyed reading more about Edith's time 'directing' the government after Woodrow's stroke and more of their life, adjusting after government - particularly how she reacclimatised. A good overall read.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I would like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this as an ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the story of President Woodrow Wilson and his second wife, Edith Bolling Galt.It is set against the backdrop of pre and post WW1 America. It is a different time. Women do not have the vote. Segregation is accepted in all levels of government.There is a war in Europe. Many Americans do not want to get involved, although it becomes evident that America will need to become a part of this war. The love story between President Wilson and Edith is the main story. It is the sweet tender second chance love of 2 people who have lost their spouses. It is the awkward getting to know you, in a national spotlight. President Wilson relies on Edith for help and read. advice early on in their marriage. She wants to help, and watches as he works tirelessly for the country. Even before the official entry of the USA , President Wilson was working on plans for a truce, his 14 points, and the creation of the League of Nations. This took a toll on his health, and he suffered a serious stroke. Edith was then faced with a choice, encourage her beloved husband to resign, or to do more than advise- to meet with the President's men and run the country.It is a well written well researched book. It takes you back a hundred years, and reminds you than love is eternal.It is truly a good.read

Tracey Emerson Wood's historical novel about Edith and Woodrow Wilson explores the well-documented love story that developed between the two widowers in 1915. As she wrote in her Author's Note at the end of the book, Ms. Wood highlights Edith's involvement in the presidency that started at the beginning of their marriage as Woodrow used her as a sounding board for making decisions. Rather than focusing primarily on the period following his debilitating stroke in 1919, the book explores their relationship during the tumultuous times prior to America's entry into WWI, as well as Wilson's vision to create a League of Nations that would ensure lasting peace.

Prior to reading this book, I knew very little about Wilson, his presidency and his wives. Ms. Wood's book brought the lead characters and their families to life, helping me understand the pressures and politics of the times. I appreciate the recurring focus on the Suffragette movement and the Wilsons' roles in passage of the 19th Amendment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reader copy of The President's Wife. I'm glad I read it.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I feel that the introduction was too long and there were too many characters that made it confusing to follow. Once Edith and the President were married, I was able to enjoy it more. The author’s note at the end discussed the involvement of family and friends in policy decisions, which I think was a mistake during this presidency. It made it seem to me that she was getting involved in decisions that were not her concern. At any rate, it was a likable story and I thank Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

The President’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood tells the story of Edith Wilson and Woodrow Wilson. A well written well researched book. Edith was his second wife and became a sounding board for his speeches and ideas during the presidency. I didn’t know too much about The Wilson’s so this was very informative and interesting. I would recommend. Thank you NetGallery for allowing me to review this book.

Edith and Woodrow are both recently widowed. Edith starts to be courted by the president and the love letters between them were written beautifully. I was impressed with how much I learned about Woodrow Wilson in this book, and loved seeing it from the view of The First Lady. Very well written and kept me intrigued the whole book.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book early. I look forward to reading more from the author.

As an avid reader and someone who is interested in history. Tracey Enerson Wood's book, "The President's Wife," did not disappoint. When I first started the book, I knew very little about Woodrow Wilson's presidency or about his wife Edith Bolling, Galt. Wilson. As with most historical fiction works that I read, I found myself frequently researching characters and events as I progressed through the book.
Despite her concerns over becoming First Lady of the United States, it didn't take Edith long to become a close confidant and someone whose opinion on political and societal matters Woodrow Wilson very heavily relied on. One important topic of that time that I found interesting was Edith's opposition to the suffrage movement. With her being a successful business woman prior to her and Woodrow's marriage, and her active involvement in many of the political decisions of Woodrow's tenure as president, you would think that she would have been a supporter of women gaining the right to vote. Regardless of her personal opinion, helping to get the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote was one of the issues that Edith played a role in following Woodrow's Wilson's stroke in September of 1919.
Prior to reading "The President's Wife" I had not heard of the controversy of Edith's role in the presidency following Woodrow's stroke approximately 14 months before the 1920 election. Edith's decision to hide her husband's condition from his detractors and the press was one that I think she overall did out of love and loyalty for her husband. However, some political experts question whether or not this decision was as an act of altruism or one of over-stepping her bounds.
I highly recommend "The President's Wife" to any fan of history who wants to learn more about our country during WW I, the part that the American government played in ending the war, Woodrow Wilson's legacy and the actions of Edith Wilson as First Lady.

An informative exploration of a president, marriage & period I knew little about.
Well-researched, extensive in its presentation of the history & politics during that time period.
Raises & discusses many vital timely issues.

With thanks to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for this e-ARC!

Such a captivating story that leaves you feeling empowered and proud. I absolutely loved it and that jt was so beautifully written.

This book had a lot of potential to me when I read the synopsis and the title, however it unfortunately fell flat. I was excited to read about a president I know little about (whether it be fiction or not, there was fact within the story), but I could not get along with the main character and her personality.

President Woodrow Wilson and Edith Bolling had recently lost their spouses and mutual friends bring them together. They fall in love and Edith becomes the first lady. She uses her position to do an overhaul of the White House and to assist the president with policies and at one point basically takes over the presidency.

I feel that the writing was good, the concept was good but the characters had no feeling or passion to me. It was difficult to read because I had no connection to Edith or the president. I did very much enjoy reading about a powerful woman forced to hide behind a powerful man because the times wouldn't allow it otherwise. I do recommend this book to lovers of American history, but otherwise I would say skip it.

Just finished this historical fiction novel about Edith Wilson and her president husband Woodrow Wilson. Before reading this book I really didn't know much about the Wilson presidency. I vaguely remember hearing about how she took over for him after he suffered a stroke. I never realized it was his second wife and that his first wife died and he remarried. Didn't know anything about his three daughters either. So I learned a lot, which I always love that about these books!! It got a little bit long in the middle and a tad boring, which is understandable given the amount of information that author had to give to give readers a sense of what their marriage and time in office was like. I like that it made me question decisions that were made, decisions that were done because he was not able to or she wouldn't let him. The questions at the end she did question and others questions about her decisions affecting the start of WWII, left much for the reader ponder. And the questions of what limitations do we have set for presidents that are aging and not able to make good sound decisions after a period of time. Good book.

Recently widowed Edith Bolling who lives in Washington DC is drawn into the circle of friends and relatives of President Woodrow Wilson. President Wilson is recently widowed. Edith is a sharp business woman with no formal education to speak of. Nevertheless the president is drawn to her. She also is drawn to him, but as his wife has not been gone a year tries to keep the relationship friendly. However the President want her to be his wife. World War I is inevitable and the president values Edith's opinions. They appear to be very much in love..
The president is however, not in the best of health, having had many small strokes. After their marriage the country enters the war. He wanted the League of Nations to be his legacy. He did have a serious stroke and that was when Edith rose to the occasion. She meets daily with essential staff as the president slowly gets better.

This was truly a love story. An interesting part of the story was Edith's opposition for the women's right to vote. She was worried if the amendment passed that women could be called upon to fight and was afraid that the children would suffer and that the work that women took on during the war would suffer also.

Edith was truly a remarkable women who carried on his legacy after the President's death. Thank you net galley for letting me read a ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction, especially when it allows me to view events from a new perspective. I knew very little about Edith Wilson Galt prior to reading this book, and it was a fascinating deep dive into her life and marriage to Woodrow Wilson. This felt like a very accurate portrayal of her life and contributions and I am now curious to learn more about her. Full review to be posted to my socials closer to publication date.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the chance to discover the life of Edith Galt Wilson. I knew very little about her or President Wilson prior to reading this. I have since researched and read about their life together and their accomplishments while he was in office. This book is entertaining, as it was a good read, and it appears to be historically correct, according to the other sources I have searched out.

Tracey Enerson Wood, The President's Wife, Sourcebooks Landmark, 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected copy for review.

The President’s Wife is an apt title, encompassing as it does the part of Edith Galt’s life where she becomes instead, Edith Wilson, First lady. Galt is her married name – that of her first husband, a jeweller whose business she retrieved from failure after his death. At the end of President Woodrow Wilson’s life Tracy Enerson Wood’s novel shows Edith redirecting his failing ability to command, perpetuating her role as an able person in her own right. Edith’s capability, despite being known as the jeweller’s and then, the President’s, wife makes an engaging story.
Edith Bolling, Mrs Galt, the First Lady and the widow of the twenty-eighth American President are all given attention in the narrative. Tracy Enerson Wood weaves Edith’s background into the present, illustrating Edith’s capacity for the work that she was to undertake in maintaining Woodrow Wilson’s presidential responsibilities until they left the White House. However, these early years never intrude on the essential story, that of the First Lady to the Woodrow Wilson Presidency from their marriage in 1915 until the end of this presidency in 1921.
This is a political love story, replete with quotes from the romantic letters Woodrow Wilson write during their courtship and marriage. The introduction and last glimpse of Edith, features one of the symbols of their marriage, their play with names. This illustrates one of the important themes of the novel – the close nature of their marriage, despite their role as President and First Lady during a war time presidency which impacted on their time together and the nature of their interaction during that time.

The political narrative is really well worked, combining imaginative conversations, thoughts, and interactions, together with well-known events. The work leading to Wilson’s dream of a League of Nations is particularly well drawn. Wilson’s teeth gritting at the delays and the flamboyant international celebrations, meetings and journeys considered necessary after the end of the war are made thoroughly understandable to the reader. As readers we almost live the mixture of the lives led by the politicians, diplomats and bureaucrats during this time. We are also drawn into the terrible reality of the war through visits to hospitals and soldiers’ interaction with the Wilsons.

The issue of suffrage is covered – and Edith’s somewhat cursory understanding of the nature of this political movement. She concentrates on states’ rights and upbraiding the suffragists’ tactics to win votes – or even a hearing. Together with this uncomfortable insight into the politics of equality is that into race relations. So, at the same time as weaving a story, a reader gains an understanding of the enormity of the task these two movements faced, and remain facing, in achieving their aims.

This novel lacked the fully engrossing impact I would have liked. However, The President’s Wife is an informative and agreeable read.

The President's Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood, tells the story of a widow, Edith Bolling, who is courted by President Woodrow Wilson and eventually becomes the First Lady of the United States. While this is a historical fiction, it correctly highlights the life of the main character, Edith.

I was not familiar with Edith Bolling prior to this book. The author did a phenomenal job highlighting Edith's role in her husband's presidency. I found myself not being able to put this one down, as I was drawn to Edith and all she had to endure in her role as wife, She was brilliant and carried so much to protect her husband and keep the USA moving forward.

I give this super engaging book 4 stars! I look forward to reading more by this author in the future!

Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Tracey Enerson Wood for this ARC!