Summary

Praise for the previous edition:
"...appealing as well as informative. Recommended for high-school, public, and undergraduate libraries."—Booklist

"...would make for fascinating reading in public libraries...also a good choice for high school and undergraduate collections."—Library Journal

Completely updated through the inauguration in January 2009, First Ladies, Third Edition covers all the women who have held this esteemed "office" since the founding of the United States. Featuring a new profile of current first lady Michelle Obama, this revised edition includes updates and additions to the profiles of Laura Bush, Nancy Reagan, Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, and Hillary Rodham Clinton. New sources have also been added to the further reading lists throughout and to the bibliography.

An in-depth introductory essay traces the history of the first lady, including changes in the idea of what a president's wife should do and be, and how such notions have been affected by society's changing ideas about the role of women. Arranged chronologically by term of presidency, each biographical entry includes a detailed biography emphasizing each first lady's life during the presidency, as well as a chronology, appendixes, and suggestions for further reading. Appendixes listing White House hostesses, first lady "firsts," and first ladies' reflections; a general bibliography; and an index round out this comprehensive edition.

Specifications

Black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Index. Appendixes. Bibliography. Chronology.

About the Author(s)

Dorothy Schneider holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Nebraska. She has taught at the University of Nebraska and at Utica College and was academic dean at Upsala College and Marymount College. She has also taught in Japan and Korea for the University of Maryland.

Carl J. Schneider holds a Ph.D. in political science and history from the University of Wisconsin. He has taught at the University of New Hampshire, the University of Nebraska, Kirkland College, and Montclair State University, where he was dean of graduate studies. He has held a Fulbright scholarship in Germany, worked as an adviser in the founding of Atatürk University in Turkey, and taught American military personnel in Japan and Korea for the University of Maryland.