“Let Us March On” is an historical fiction novel inspired by the life of Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie, a maid in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s White House who became an influential figure in the Civil Rights movement. Lizzie's husband, Mac, was FDR's personal valet prior to and during his presidency. Because of this relationship, Lizzie was able to work in the White House as a maid and eventually became close to FDR.. He recognized Lizzie's strong spirit and passionate resolve to improve the lives of African Americans. Because of this, he enlisted her to travel the country to campaign for him. She became a strong activist and voice for African Americans and even boldly proclaimed herself as FDR’s “Secretary-On-Colored-People’s-Affairs.” While I enjoyed this book, there was something missing that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I have read a great number of books about this time period and have always been fascinated with both Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. This was a good read and quite interesting but felt somewhat unfulfilled once I finished it.

Let Us March On is a deeply moving story of Lizzie McDuffie, a highly influential maid and treasured friend to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Shara Moon brought Duffie, previously unknown to me, to life in a way that made me wish I’d known such a fun-loving, outspoken, spirited thinker and activist. In a time when it might have been easier to give up all hope for the plight of the African American people, Duffie stubbornly insists on continually advocating and advancing the stories of her community before the president.

Her story picks up as FDR is elected for his first term; as her husband Mac is his trusted valet, she moves into the White House and applies for a role as one of the women on the serving staff to be near her husband. Circumstances present themselves, and soon, she finds herself promoted from “third floor maid” to the personal maid for the President, and she uses the privilege of having the president’s ear to candidly report the plight of the African American citizen. I am not doing this book justice. It’s absolutely fantastic and I wish I knew her. Shara Moon is masterful in bringing Lizzie to life with all the nuance and complexities concerns and fears as she passionately pled her case before the leader of the free world.

People will call FDR a person who was larger than life, but he was not the only force larger than life in the White House during his presidency; Lizzie McDuffie was a voice who refused to be silent and an inspiration to every American. This story is incredible and a must read.

I’d like to thank William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars
Kudos to Shara Moon for bringing to light the life and contributions of the courageous Elizabeth McDuffie, unofficial confidante to President FDR about African American affairs.

The heroine is very much reluctantly thrust into this role, and the author did a great job at relaying her feelings - the sense of responsibility and helplessness, triumph at small wins, frustration at FDR's intractability, and the horror and crushing defeat at realizing that her family isn't safe outside of the White House's protective environment.

The only critique I have is that the book could have used tighter editing.

My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for the eARC. All opinions my own!

3.5 stars
Fascinating historical fiction about the woman who worked in FDR’s White House not only as a maid, but as a friend to the President and First Lady. Lizzie and her husband, who was FDR’s personal valet, were there and were a vital part of his entire presidency, including the term he never got to finish…

*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

I love learning so much! It has been a long time since I learned about a person/people that I've never heard of before! I'm so grateful that I was given a chance to read this book! How is it possible that I've never heard about Elizabeth McDuffie?! I'm inclined to blame racism. Too many black people and black women, especially, are overlooked. I was so compelled by this story and couldn't stop reading once I picked it up. The book was very well written and gave excellent insight to what it must have been like to work in the White House. Something I've never bothered to think about before. By the end of the book, I was grieving a president that I have never given too much thought to. I didn't realize FDR died fairly young. I got choked up at the end! My hope is that this books gains a lot of traction and brings the story of the McDuffie's to the world! They deserve nothing less.

Let Us March by Shara Moon is a wonderful historical fiction based off of a true trailblazer, Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie. I really enjoyed this one.

THis is such a great HF. I shamefully did not recognize the name Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie or all that she represents.
Not only did I learn so much about this courageous, strong, passionate, and fascinating woman that helped create awareness and pushed the boundaries during the FDR presidency concerning Civil Rights, but I also really enjoyed myself in the process.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/4/25.

This book about an overlooked hero from the FDR era captivated me with its strong female protagonist and the rich historical context that informs and educates. The narrative is skillfully crafted, making it a compelling read. I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to explore this remarkable story.

I love this book about an unsung hero from the FDR years and the strong female character and the history that educates . A well told story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me

I love when what I read educates - it’s one of the many reasons I very much enjoy historical fiction, particularly historical fiction about real people.

Let Us March On was a five star read for me, without a doubt.

Ms Moon has beautifully crafted a debut novel that will engage readers while teaching about the life of the extraordinary Lizzie McDuffie (whom I knew nothing about prior to my reading).

An excellent story, and one I recommend.



Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for the DRC

I am chagrined to admit that I did not know of Elizabeth McDuffie and her husband, Mac, or their fascinating role in FDR’s White House, until I read this book—though I have read many accounts of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. So, first, thank you to Shara Moon for telling this story about Mac McDuffie, FDR’s longtime valet (since well before he was elected President), and Lizzie, who joined her husband at the White House from Atlanta as a maid and became a much-respected liaison between Roosevelt and Black citizens, playing a role in civil rights negotiations and Roosevelt’s re-election. In recounting some of Lizzie’s experiences—from helping to host Black artists performing at the White House at the First Lady’s invitation, to being deluged with letters containing requests for help from Black citizens about all manner of issues, to being ambushed on the street by white men who took her husband to be a white man in a relationship with Black woman and beat him severely—Moon effectively places the reader in the midst of these encounters so that one can feel the pride, fear, outrage, sadness, or sympathy that Lizzie and those who brought their causes to her felt. Just one example being the story of Black Gold Star mothers traveling to Europe on cargo ships to visit their fallen sons’ graves while their white counterparts traveled on luxury liners. There are a few instances that could have benefitted from closer editing, such as relentless repetition of Lizzie’s worries about Mac’s increased drinking, as well as the use of terminology that, no matter how apt, is likely anachronistic (e.g., trauma) while so much else painstakingly recreates the atmosphere and experiences of the country during the Roosevelt administration. But overall it is a well-crafted and engaging book, and I hope many will take the opportunity Moon has presented to learn about Mrs. McDuffie and her role.

Shara Moon creates a vibrant depiction of Lizzie McDuffie and brings FDR's white house years to life. With not always comfortable source material, this book managed to be both hopeful and entertaining.

I read “Let Us March On” by Shara Moon. I enjoyed reading this book and was surprised by the the act of the one woman, Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie. The book is a work of fiction, but focuses on actual people, including Lizzie McDuffie, her husband, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The book was well written and the characters well developed. The story gives insight into life during this time, a rough & sad time in our history.
A well written book and a must read!

This book was 5 stars for me. I was not expecting a personal connection for this book but the connection that Lizzie McDuffie had to the Inman family in Atlanta struck me. Also, the fact that the Inman's lived in The Swan House which is a notable mansion in Atlanta that is often frequented by tourists is so fascinating. After FDR was elected, Lizzie and her husband who was the personal assistant to FDR moved into the White House. Lizzie was hired as a maid by Eleanor Roosevelt. They finished their first 4 years, FDR was re-elected and then re-elected again. Lizzie became a trusted advisor to the President during her tenure at the White House. Lizzie received letters daily from black members of the community and she often had heard about their injustices. She took these letters and stories and talked to FDR about them and would later become known as the "Secretary On Colored People's Affairs" (or as FDR called it, SOCPA).

Great and fairly easy read. Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC!
#NetGalley
#LetUsMarchOn

Let Us March On is about the life of an extraordinary woman who served as the maid in the White House during FDR's presidency. Lizzie McDuffie was an amazing woman who was able to use her role to influence the president to improve the lives of Black Americans in the 1930s. The story left me wishing that more has been done to improve the civil rights of all Americans. Lizzie did her best given the time and place she occupied. I wish FDR had been more brave.

I enjoyed this novel greatly. It helped me understand the historical context of the New Deal and how these programs did not fully help disconnected minority communities. If only we all lived like Lizzie and used any small opportunity to improve the lives of others.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read Let Us March On by Shara Moon. As it should be with a good, well written Historical Fiction book, i was educated as well as thoroughly entertained. Excellent!

I am a big fan of historical fiction books and Let Us March On was just one of my latest great reads. It was based upon a true story of a political activist heroine and I loved it.