Margaret Brown Klapthor (1922–1994)

This is a lovely book. The portraits of the First Ladies from Martha Washington through Nancy Reagan are wonderful. There is a brief summary of each First Ladie's experience in the White House. I'm sure there are other publications which are more detailed and satisfying, but this book is a treasure. It belonged to my grandmother and that's another good reason for me to keep it. I don't have so many books from her. In the back there is a pamphlet with other books from the White House Historical Association.… (more)

'The First Ladies' is a nice little book that gives a brief (one page) biography of each of the First Ladies from Martha Washington through Hillary Clinton (this version has an insert for Hillary Clinton and is not recent enough to include Laura Bush or Michelle Obama). It also includes portraits or photos of each of the First Ladies. In the cases where the Presidents had other women step in to be the hostess at White House functions, there is a brief biography of these women also. I felt that this was a nice, informative book that made learning more about the First Ladies of the United States quick and easy.… (more)