HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

Loading...

Becoming Madam Secretary

by Stephanie Dray

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
5110503,976 (4.42)1
Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:She took on titans, battled generals, and changed the world as we know it…
New York Times
bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating and dramatic new novel about an American heroine Frances Perkins.

/> Raised on tales of her revolutionary ancestors, Frances Perkins arrives in New York City at the turn of the century, armed with her trusty parasol and an unyielding determination to make a difference.
When she’s not working with children in the crowded tenements in Hell’s Kitchen, Frances throws herself into the social scene in Greenwich Village, befriending an eclectic group of politicians, artists, and activists, including the millionaire socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey, the flirtatious budding author Sinclair Lewis, and the brilliant but troubled reformer Paul Wilson, with whom she falls deeply in love.
But when Frances meets a young lawyer named Franklin Delano Roosevelt at a tea dance, sparks fly in all the wrong directions. She thinks he’s a rich, arrogant dilettante who gets by on a handsome face and a famous name. He thinks she’s a priggish bluestocking and insufferable do-gooder. Neither knows it yet, but over the next twenty years, they will form a historic partnership that will carry them both to the White House.
Frances is destined to rise in a political world dominated by men, facing down the Great Depression as FDR’s most trusted lieutenant—even as she struggles to balance the demands of a public career with marriage and motherhood. And when vicious political attacks mount and personal tragedies threaten to derail her ambitions, she must decide what she’s willing to do—and what she’s willing to sacrifice—to save a nation.… (more)
Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

» See also 1 mention

Showing 1-5 of 10 (next | show all)
Story of Frances Perkins who became the first woman Secretary of Labor and the first woman in the US Cabinet. A New Englander her intelligence and fortitude shined in her early resolve to do something good for others. This slightly fictionalized biography we see her experience with trying to improve working conditions especially for women and children. She witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire which strengthened her resolve. Early in her career she worked in Albany NY as a lobbyist, worked for Al Smith, and met a young FDR. There is much about her working and friend relationship with FDR.
Frances married, had a daughter and had to work when mental illness claimed her husband and he was institutionalized.
The writing style is stilted and formal of the type found in early 20th century writing. ( )
  bblum | Apr 4, 2024 |
I don't know why I didn't know more about Frances Perkins before this fictionalization of her life. Considering the time my high school history teachers spent on Alexander Hamilton, one would think the first woman to serve in a presidential cabinet, who masterminded multiple New Deal programs, and was the driving force behind Social Security, deserved at least equal time. I really enjoyed this novel, which gives the reader a sense of the person Frances Perkins was as well as the struggles she faced. Overall, a great read about a remarkable woman who deserves more attention from both historians and novelists. ( )
  wagner.sarah35 | Mar 30, 2024 |
The battle for democracy is never done…and ours is worth fighting for - Frances Perkins

This is the most incredible story of Francis Perkins - a person who started by looking at a problem and then setting about to fix it. Her mantra was INVESTIGATE, AGITATE, LEGISLATE - something she proceeded to do from Hartley House in Hell’s Kitchen all the way to the White House. If somebody opens a door of opportunity for you, it’s the Lord’s will - walk right in and do the best you can.

I certainly know about Social Security but never knew how it came to be, or what it took to bring about such a big change. One can learn so much history by reading historical fiction, especially when it is well researched as this book is. I would highly recommend you take the time to read it.

Received through Penguin Random House, Berkley and NetGalley, these impressions are my own and were in no way solicited. ( )
  Eamace | Mar 28, 2024 |
Determined to fight for child poverty, women, and safe working conditions, Frances Perkins takes a job in New York City. There, she quickly meets some of the rising politicians, activists, and writers, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While initially she writes off the young politician, her history and FDR’s are intertwined.

This novel was well written and engaging. I loved the character development and growth throughout the story. I also loved that FDR was pictured realistically rather than in an idealized light. The story was well paced and entertaining. Overall, highly recommended.
  JanaRose1 | Mar 15, 2024 |
Frances Perkins throws herself on to the scene in NYC. She is determined to change the working conditions for everyone, including children. She has an interaction with FDR and things do not go as planned. But, their relationship, or rather, partnership helped Americans… then and now!

I love Frances and FDR’s relationship, especially at the beginning. She calls him a popinjay. How this author describes their relationship and their interactions just brings them to life in the eyes of the reader.

This book is so well researched and I learned so much. Highly recommend you pick up this book today! I had no idea about Frances Perkins. She changed so much about America.

I did fluctuate between a 4 and 5 star on this one. But, I settled on a 4 star because it does get a bit slow in places. I am sure it is because the author is writing about a real life person and wants to tell it all.

Need a wonderful, historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )
  fredreeca | Mar 15, 2024 |
Showing 1-5 of 10 (next | show all)
no reviews | add a review
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
Dedication
First words
Quotations
Last words
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML:She took on titans, battled generals, and changed the world as we know it…
New York Times
bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating and dramatic new novel about an American heroine Frances Perkins.

Raised on tales of her revolutionary ancestors, Frances Perkins arrives in New York City at the turn of the century, armed with her trusty parasol and an unyielding determination to make a difference.
When she’s not working with children in the crowded tenements in Hell’s Kitchen, Frances throws herself into the social scene in Greenwich Village, befriending an eclectic group of politicians, artists, and activists, including the millionaire socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey, the flirtatious budding author Sinclair Lewis, and the brilliant but troubled reformer Paul Wilson, with whom she falls deeply in love.
But when Frances meets a young lawyer named Franklin Delano Roosevelt at a tea dance, sparks fly in all the wrong directions. She thinks he’s a rich, arrogant dilettante who gets by on a handsome face and a famous name. He thinks she’s a priggish bluestocking and insufferable do-gooder. Neither knows it yet, but over the next twenty years, they will form a historic partnership that will carry them both to the White House.
Frances is destined to rise in a political world dominated by men, facing down the Great Depression as FDR’s most trusted lieutenant—even as she struggles to balance the demands of a public career with marriage and motherhood. And when vicious political attacks mount and personal tragedies threaten to derail her ambitions, she must decide what she’s willing to do—and what she’s willing to sacrifice—to save a nation.

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary

LibraryThing Author

Stephanie Dray is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.

profile page | author page

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (4.42)
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5 1
3 1
3.5
4 3
4.5
5 8

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 204,870,731 books! | Top bar: Always visible