The First Ladies

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 5,445 ratings

Price: 19.69

Last update: 07-29-2024


Top reviews from the United States

mz johansen
5.0 out of 5 stars Read This!
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024
I have been a fan of Marie Benedict for some time and am now a new fan of Victoria Christopher Murray’s as well.

I learned a lot as I read this (as and e-book) and was able to take a deeper dive into the characters, the events and the times described in this wonderfully crafted bit of historical fiction as I read (one reason why I have come to enjoy reading books in an e-book format is that I can easily fact check and fill in the many blanks in my personal knowledge base!

Essentially, this is the story of Eleanor Roosevelt’s decades long friendship with Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, a force of nature who spent her life advocating for racial equality during the dark times of Jim Crow laws and the KKK. Together these two very formidable women worked together to advocate for racial equality and for women’s rights as well.

There was so very much that I was unaware of about so many things that happened during Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidential terms! What a complicated country we are!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the learning that happened as I read it. Beautifully written. Moving. Educational. Read this book!
MicasReads
4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic story
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Mary McLeod Berthune have been friends for some time before Eleanor's husband, Franklin, is elected President. Once he takes office, Eleanor and Mary did all they can to get the President's support on all things that could help the Civil Rights movement. Together, they help black men achieve federal positions and help integrate military militias among other groundbreaking achievements. Theirs is a friendship that lasts and change the world.

Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray are a fantastic writing duo. Together their storytelling is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. The one thing I can always count on while reading one of their novels is that I will be researching the people and events mentioned. The stories they weave are always well-researched and well-told. These talented women will always be an auto-buy for me.
Avonna
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
THE FIRST LADIES by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a biographical historical fiction novel of a beautiful and significant friendship between a First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt and the First Lady of the Struggle, Mary McLeod Bethune. The story spans two decades with the Depression, World War II, Jim Crow laws, lynching, and the continual fight for social equality with these two strong women fighting together for change.

While I felt knowledgeable about this period and Eleanor Roosevelt’s work for social improvements for all, I did not know about Mary McLeod Bethune’s contributions. The story of their friendship is told in alternating chapters. Mary is older, a Lincoln Republican and has been fighting for education for Negroes and equality her entire life when she meets Eleanor (who is not a First Lady at the time). They strike up an unlikely friendship that endures triumphs and tragedies, both personal and political.

I loved the new historical facts and people I learned of while reading this story. For me, research and facts in a historical story are important and I always hope to learn something new. The candid conversations between the two highlighted common misunderstandings between the races, racial discrimination, and segregation. As the two grew closer, I enjoyed the scenes where they would work around the system, problem, or President to get the solution they wanted. While this is an engaging story of historical friendship, it also delves into the politics of the times to a great degree. I love politics, both past and present, but for some who are hoping for a book only about the two women’s friendship, they may not enjoy it as much as I did.

This is a book of a loving friendship, but it also delves into the darkness of racial hate, lynching, and segregation. The disrespect of humans for just the color of their skin was ever present in this period of American history (not that it isn’t today), but Eleanor was the First Lady and with her power and the help of her friend Mary, she continuously and publicly fought to change society.

I highly recommend this powerful biographical historical fiction about two amazing First Ladies!
Maureen
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the long lives comradery.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2024
Respect, determination, support, dedication.
In a time of needed changes, these ladies pushed their way through- in support of everyone.
Mary Ann
5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful read
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2024
Great book! Such great historical context. I admire both women. They were very brave and steadfast. Very interesting and fast paced!
Melissa
4.0 out of 5 stars great read if you can get past the first third
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
Very slow start. 2 stars at best for the first 30-40% of the book. For those that DNF I understand because I pretty much had to force myself to keep going…BUT the last half is so much better! Better narrative, better writing, just better.
Montana Mackay
3.0 out of 5 stars Three and a Half Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2024
A fine effort, providing unique and very personal insights into the deep bond between civil rights leader Mary Bethune and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Their shared struggle against overwhelming prejudice and hidebound racism is a great testament to what determined women can accomplish.

While this book gave me a new appreciation for the work these women did, I found it quite repetitive and a little taxing in terms of the alternating chapters, each of which seemed a little strained in its efforts to paint a complete portrait of the two characters. It felt heavily structured with not a lot of flow. I suppose it is difficult to imbue a biography with any type of zest.

But there was plenty to admire here, especially the candor with which the "Boston Marriage" ideas were described, and Eleanor's unabashed comfort level with the women who loved her. Unlike some other reviewers, I wasn't the least bothered by the discussions of Lesbianism. Overall, it is a solid book, just a bit of a slog.
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars What a lovely story and a wonderful friendship and working relationship between these two women
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2024
What a wonderful book! This was a great story about two talented women who accomplished so much for the furtherance of Negroes in a segregated country. They achieved remarkable things to end segregation against the odds. A great read for anyone who loves stories about strong women and their accomplishments.

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