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.

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.