First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies

Brower (The Residence) has written a sophisticated and intimate portrait of modern first ladies, from Jacqueline Kennedy through Michelle Obama in expertly balanced prose that is neither too impersonal nor too personal. Though Brower doesn't whitewash the different personalities of the women, she manages to find positives in even some of the more reputedly prickly characters. With a deft touch, the author moves from Kennedy's lifelong grief over her husband, John F. Kennedy's, assassination to the impact of Richard Nixon's scandal and resignation on his wife, Pat, to Betty Ford's addictions. Though attention is given to all of the women, there is perhaps a greater focus on Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Nixon, and Ford. This leads to the only negative point that can be made about the book, which is that there is a decidedly small amount of information on more recent first ladies, particularly Laura Bush. Brower writes with grace and ease and finely outlines the lives of these influential figures, providing deep insights into the experiences of each.