The Old Lion by Jeff Shaara

January 10, 2025

The Old Lion by Jeff Shaara

A novel about President Theodore Roosevelt, focusing on his life before and after his time in office.

Although Theodore Roosevelt died at the age of 60, he packed a lot into those 60 years. Before reading this novel, I knew about Roosevelt's life superficially. I knew his face is on Mount Rushmore, but not really why he was chosen over other presidents. He suffered from ill health for much of his life, as well as the loss of two of his sons, yet he was determined to experience all that life could offer. He was a prolific writer on a wide variety of subjects. Rather than his presidency, the author chose to focus on Roosevelt's adventures and exploration. Part of Roosevelt's enduring legacy is the establishment of the national parks service, and he is responsible for the birth of the conservation movement. Recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially if you don't know much about Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt in his western gear

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

February 3, 2024

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

Frances Perkins was the first female cabinet member in U.S. history, serving under Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was also the longest serving Secretary of Labor. But before that, she fought for workplace safety laws after witnessing the horror of the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. But her first priority was developing a safety net for the elderly, which became the Social Security system.

Frances was responsible for the creation of many of the programs that we take for granted today: Social Security, unemployment benefits, workplace safety regulations, child labor laws, public works and infrastructure support, an eight hour workday and a five day work week. Life in the United States would be very different today without her efforts. She also worked to help Jewish refugees escape from Hitler's Germany. Frances kept her personal life very private. She was married to a brilliant man named Paul Wilson (who was part of the Marshall Field family) who suffered from depression and bipolar disorder (known as manic depression at that time), and her daughter unfortunately inherited her father's malady. 

Dray does an excellent job of keeping the focus on Frances and not letting Roosevelt and his dominant personality overshadow her story. Well-researched like all of the author's previous books (I recommend My Dear Hamilton and Ribbons of Scarlet). Recommended for readers of historical fiction or as a crossover into fiction for those who enjoy American history.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor

Sex with Presidents by Eleanor Herman

October 6, 2020

Sex with Presidents:  the Ins and Outs of Love and Lust in the White House by Eleanor Herman

Oh my.  The men that the American people have elected president, and those who have sought this high office.  It's surprising some of the men who have been sex magnets for women - who would have thought that women would be throwing themselves at chain-smoking 5-pack-a-day Lyndon Johnson?

Best presidential lover:  Bill Clinton.  He always tried to satisfy his (many) sexual partners and give them a good experience.

Worst presidential lovers:  it's a tie between Kennedy and Trump (there are a number of other parallels between the two).  One actress noted that her sexual encounter with JFK was "a memorable minute."

Full of trivia about a select collection of presidents and First Ladies, this is a light and entertaining read to get your mind off the pandemic.  Don't feel too sorry for some of those First Ladies:  most of them knew what they were getting when they married their husbands (some knew and schemed to marry them anyway), and some First Ladies gave as good as they got.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in return for a review.