Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson

Edith Bolling was born into one of the most prominent of Virginia's families. A descendant of Pocahontas, she was related by blood to much of the colonial and state leadership of the state. But when she was born in 1872 much of the wealth that had been associated with her family was gone, and her childhood and early adult years were spent, if not in poverty, then in circumstances considerably straitened compared to those of her forebears. Like most young women in those days she received very little education and was expected to marry as soon as possible.For the most part Edith followed that plan. She married a prosperous jeweler and became part of Washington DC's social circle. When her husband died she maintained his business and became unusually independent, driving herself around in an electric car and playing a more open role in managing her store than was the norm. In 1915 the recently widowed President Woodrow Wilson met her and fell in love. Not anxious to sacrifice her private life, she dithered before eventually allowing herself to be persuaded into marrying him.From the start of their marriage Edith Wilson was determined to assist her new husband in the business of running the nation. She sat in on Cabinet meetings and discussed national affairs with the President in a way no First Lady had done before. This experience enabled her to step in and actually run the country for the last year and a half or so of her husband's second term after he suffered a severe stroke.I already knew the story of Edith Wilson's marriage and her inadvertent political career, but I was interested to read many details in this biography that I had never known before. This is a well written history of a private woman who was forced into a public role that she performed well.

I'm reading this book for a monthly book discussion group in which everyone chooses a different bookand tells the group about it. It's a great way to learn about new books. Also, I recently bought andread "Cokie", Stephen Roberts' memoir about his wife, Cokie Roberts, and I wanted to read this bookwritten by their daughter, Rebecca Boggs Roberts. Cokie would be proud.

I thoroughly enjoyed this account of Edith Wilson’s life and especially her time in the White House with President Woodrow Wilson. The narrative felt alive and fresh even though the events recounted were over 100 years ago. I fully recommend to all.

This book is a thoroughly researched biography of Edith Wilson, the de facto president of the United States during her husband Woodrow Wilson's incapacity. The author does an excellent job of making Edith and the other characters come alive as believable humans. She also does not pull her punches in calling out the deeply racist views of both Edith and Woodrow Wilson, which are highly relevant to the narrative.I found the book a very fast read, a testament to the quality of the writing, and it was memorable in multiple ways. I would definitely read another book by this author again, and I unreservedly recommend "Untold Power" to those who are interested in late 19th-early 20th century history.

This is a very easy book to read, but not short on details, some of which are very interesting. Well balanced, the author does not seem to pass judgment on her subject, pointing out Edith Wilson's flaws and her good attributes, as well as her importance to the country. If you have never read a biography about Mrs. Wilson, I would recommend this one. The only thing that bothered me was use of the double possessive several times ("Ellen also invited Helen Bones, a cousin of Woodrow's, to live at..."), which you would think the editor would have corrected. But then, I am a member of the grammar police.

I appreciate biographies and histories that reveal and augment stories that are usually mentioned but not dwelt on. Wilson’s second marriage to Edith Galt was consequential for American history, and this book gives the story its due and does it justice.

Well written, easy to read. The insights into cultural norms of the period are shocking but important to know as background to our culture today.

This is an excellent book that was hard to put down. A rainy weekend had me finishing it in less than 2 days. Highly recommend!