Member Reviews
Interesting book about the lives and love of President Wilson and his second wife, Edith. Although she was against women's suffrage, she had the unusual opportunity to be privy to much of the politics going on before, during, and after WW1. The history is very interesting, but I would have liked an author's note explaining what was based on fact and what was not, as well as what she used as her sources. That's one of my favorite parts about historical fiction, but it was not included (at least not in the audiobook).
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy!
'The President's Wife' is a captivating historical fiction novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of First Lady Edith Bolling during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. The author has done an excellent job of bringing to life this dynamic woman who was fiercely independent and determined to make a difference.
The story is a tale of love, politics, and sacrifice, brilliantly capturing the spirit of the time. Edith's struggle to adapt to her role as the First Lady and her unwavering support of her husband's presidency is commendable. The author has portrayed her as a woman of substance who was willing to take risks and make difficult choices to protect her husband's legacy and, by extension, her country's interests.
The narration by Libby McKnight is perfect and engaging, making it an easy read from start to finish. Her voice is friendly to the ears. The performance sounds relaxed and unforced. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions are natural and believable. The historical events are also well-researched and lend credibility to the story.
The only downside is that the book ends too soon. I wish there were more to read about Edith's contributions after her husband's presidency. Nonetheless, 'The President's Wife' is an outstanding historical fiction that entertains and educates readers on the life of one of America's most resilient First Ladies.
Thabk you Netgalley and publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I first saw the title and read the description, I was excited. I love historical fictions, especially the ones related to WWs. Even though I liked various topics discussed in the book, it has also left me with mixed feelings. If it's actually based on the President's life, then I don't think that his wife did the right thing in keeping him away from the affairs of the country for so long.
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3/5 ๐
When I first heard the title, so many different presidents crossed my mind whose wives would be fascinating to read about - Kennedy, Reagan, Nixon, Obama, both Roosevelts, Washington, Lincoln - but Woodrow Wilson? That was a surprise. However, he was president during an incredibly tumultuous and challenging time in American history, the years just preceding and following WWI.
Both Woodrow Wilson and Edith Galt were widowed and their courtship, including numerous heartfelt love letters, was charmingly described. Their partnership was impressive as Woodrow was exceedingly trusting of Edithโs input into the issues of the day. Her quiet power and influence as she takes over after Woodrowโs incapacitating illnesses was formidable. Their story brings to mind the saying โbehind every great man is a great womanโ as Edith was isWoodrowโs most trusted advisor.
Iโm a huge lover of all things American history, but this one missed the mark for me, mainly, I think, due to the lackluster performance of the narrator. I was, quite honestly, somewhat bored and had a difficult time making it through this one. I do think Iโd have enjoyed it more had I read it as the writing is descriptive and the authorโs extensive research is evident.
A lot of important and fascinating things to learn from this novel, but it was a bit of a chore however.
Many thanks to @netgalley and @bookmarked for the advanced copy of the audio book in exchange for my honest review!
#bibliophile #stephsalwaysreading #netgalley #netgalleyarc #historicalfiction#whatshouldireadnext #tbrlist pop#thepresidentswife
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC of this audiobook.
This is an historical fiction book told from the viewpoint of Edith Bolling, who became the second wife of Woodrow Wilson. The book begins around the time of Edith meeting Woodrow, their courtship and their years in the White House. I knew very little about her before this book and enjoyed learning about her, her relationship to her husband and her role in history. This is the first book I have read by the author, Tracey Enerson Wood and I look forward to reading more by her.. Even though there were no sources listed or an afterword telling what parts of the book were facts, the book appeared to have been well researched. A sign of a good historical fiction book to me is when I want to look up more information about the subject matter or the people, and this book compelled me to do so. I feel that it helped me to learn so much about this time period and Woodrow Wilson's presidency.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Libby McKnight. I felt that Ms. McKnight did a very credible job narrating the story. She helped to keep the plot flowing and to help the reader understand the character of Edith. I feel that people who enjoy historical fiction will enjoy this novel.
This story centers around Edith Bolling the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson. We first meet Edith as a widow after her first husband dies. She is left his jewelry store and is faced with the crippling debt left with it. By her own determination and gumption, she is able to turn the financials around and gains a sense of independence that most women in the era were not afforded. It is through her friendship with Helen (Wilson's cousin) that she meets the man that will make her First Lady. Although she wants to takes things slow, she quickly falls in love with Woodrow and his ideals and morals of leading the country.
Although this is a work of fiction, it is very close to the actual life of this lesser known woman. Being by his side through the first world war she is present for some of the most challenging times that Wilson faced as President. She became his sounding board and helped him make very important and hard decisions. After his debilitating stroke, she even acted as his second in command in order to keep up the appearance that the President was not as sick as he actually was.
Historical fiction is one one of my favorite genres and I enjoyed reading this story. It has inspired me to learn more about Woodrow Wilson and his first lady.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
A well-researched and fascinating look at the relationship between President Woodrow Wilson and his wife and all the work she did behind the scenes. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Martha Hall Kelly and books like The first ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
โThe Presidentโs Wifeโ is a historical fiction novel that tells the story of Woodrow Wilson and Edith Bolling Galtโs courtship, marriage and her place in U.S. history. Although there were some slow spots, I thought the novel was both enjoyable and educational. I read both the ebook and listened to the audiobook. The narrator was very good and she really brought the story to life. *3.5 stars*
The President's Wife
Tracy Enerson Wood
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Amazing Novel!!
I absolutely LOVED this book! It was so interesting & kept me wanting to read more throughout the whole book. Tracy did a great job on the research. I kept things up the whole book. It was so fun to read about Edith & how strong she was for her Husband, our President, & America. It is a BEAUTIFUL story you will NOT want to miss!
Thank you Netgallery.
Thank you Tracy Enerson Wood for this great story. I can't wait to read your other books!
I found this story incredibly interesting and enjoyable to read. Tracey Enerson Wood did a great job bringing Edith Wilson to life and give more insight into her unique roll as First Lady.
3.5โ
There were some aspects of this story I enjoyed, such as learning more about Woodrow Wilson and his wife, Edith, who in many ways became his right hand during the latter half of his presidency. However, I donโt think the writing style of this one worked for me. I found myself struggling to stay engaged and to connect on an emotional level with these central figures.
Read if you like:
โขAmerican history
โขLesser known political figures
โขstories of the woman behind the man
โขHF not centered around war
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark and Recorded Books for my gifted copies.
Iโm only a fresh reader of historical fiction and while I have enjoyed quite a few so far this didnโt do it for me at all. When I look back on the book nothing really happened, it felt like listing events to me with no real highs or lows. It was great to learn more about the president of the times during WW1 but honestly half the time the book felt like all it was giving me was a story about a whingeing wife. Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This read shed light to an incredibly unknown story about a fascinating woman behind the Presidency of Woodrow Wilson. It was clear the author had done extension research yet brought Edith to life in her prose. I enjoyed learning more about their romance, Wilson's failing heath, and both the internal and external threats Edith had to navigate behind the scenes with Wilson's ideals at the front of her efforts. I loved listening to this immersive audiobook! Lovers of Presidential history, WWI history, and historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this release. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebook publishing for my complimentary ARC in exchange for my review.
I knew almost nothing about the Wilsons and learned a lot from this book. The writing was excellent and drew me into the story from the beginning. I found her stance on several hot topic issues to be intriguing as were here reasons for these beliefs. I enjoyed the tender conversations between her and her husband and how she rallied to fight for his ideas when he was sick, doing what she thought was best. Thought-provoking and insightful, a good glimpse into the politics of the time and a much-needed history lesson.
Edith Bolling didnโt want to remarry after the death of her husband, but she finds herself in a whirlwind romance with the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson and eventually becomes the First Lady.
In this role she needs to be a supportive wife to a husband during and after WWI. She finds the weight of the world on her shoulders when her ailing husband needs to convince the country of the importance of the League of Nations.
The Presidentโs Wife was meticulously researched and I am so glad to be introduced to Edith Bolling Wilson, but readers with less of a interest in history may want a bit more action.
This book was PHENOMENAL! It was so well written. Normally I wouldnโt pick a book about President Wilsonโs wife but now Iโm completely fascinated and want to know more! The author gives a compelling narrative which doesnโt drag whatsoever. Itโs full of history but told from such an interesting view that makes you completely invested in the characters. I absolutely recommend it!!
Copied from Goodreads
โThe Presidentโs Wifeโ is the story of Woodrow Wilson and his second wife, Edith. I didnโt know anything about Edith and only Wilsonโs international policies prior to reading. From my uninformed vantage point, the book appears to be well-researched and the fictional aspects are embedded well. I would have liked to get to know more of those around the pair. Secondary characters are very underdeveloped, perhaps for want of available information. Part of me hopes that this is more fictional than not as my respect for Wilson diminished if all of his actions are true. However, this is certainly not Enerson Woodโs fault!
If you are interested in the private lives of historical figures, then this book is for you.
Many thanks to RB Media via NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm torn on this; it was interesting to read about Woodrow Wilson, but if parts of this book are true, what a shitshow. This book really illustrates why we need age limits in the reverse: get the old people out of government.
I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.
I enjoyed my first Tracey Enerson Wood book. I liked the character development in this storyline.
Socialite Edith Bolling has been in no hurry to find a new husband since she was widowed, preferring to fill her days with good friends and travel. But the enchanting courting of President Woodrow Wilson wins Edith over and she becomes the First Lady of the United States. The position is uncomfortable for the fiercely independent Edith, but she's determined to rise to the challenges of her new marriageโfrom the bloodthirsty press to the shadows of the first World War.
Warming to her new role, Edith is soon indispensable to her husband's presidency. She replaces the staff that Woodrow finds distracting, and discusses policy with him daily. Throughout the war, she encrypts top- secret messages and despite lacking formal education becomes an important adviser. When peace talks begin in Europe, she attends at Woodrow's side. But just as the critical fight to ratify the treaty to end the war and create a League of Nations in order to prevent another, Woodrow's always-delicate health takes a dramatic turn for the worse. In her determination to preserve both his progress and his reputation, Edith all but assumes the presidency herself.
Now, Edith must contend with the demands of a tumultuous country, the secrets of Woodrow's true condition, and the potentially devastating consequences of her failure. At once sweeping and intimate, The President's Wife is an astonishing portrait of a courageous First Lady and the sacrifices she made to protect her husband and her country at all costs.
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Thank you #partner @recordedbooks for the #gifted ALC
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๐ ๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐: The President's Wife is the story of Edith Wilson - Woodrow Wilson's wife - and the reasons she's known as "the first woman president."
๐ญ ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐: Despite me owning all of Enerson's historical fiction novels, this was my first by her! I'm glad to have finally read one.โบ๏ธ
The President's Wife is a very informative read, rich in the politics of the times. It was enlightening to learn what a role Edith played in Wilson's presidency, and how she continued running the show after his condition left him unable to do so (which is what she's so known for). The highlight for me is definitely how much I learned about Woodrow and Edith Wilson - a couple I knew very little about.
One of the things I love most about historical fiction is the way a moving fictional narrative is meshed with true pieces of history. As someone who loves both fiction and history, it's the best of both worlds and why historical fiction is my favorite genre. Unfortunately this one felt just a bit lopsided. While the history lesson was compelling, the fictional story left something to be desired. This was largely due to the saccharin quality to it, which didn't feel realistic to me. I guess I needed a little more pizzazz.
Though despite my criticisms, I did still enjoy it overall, especially for how informative it is. I feel like I could hold my own in a conversation about the Wilson presidency, and that's a positive in my book!
I would still definitely recommend for history buffs - especially thise who enjoy non-fiction history books.
๐ง ๐๐๐ฑ๐ถ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The audiobook was very well done! It's narrated by a single narrator: Libby McKnight. Her performance is well-paced and she's a pleasure to listen to. โบ๏ธ