The President's Wife

A Novel

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Pub Date 15 Aug 2023 | Archive Date 19 Aug 2023
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Description

The incredible story of the First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency

Socialite Edith Bolling has been in no hurry to find a new husband since she was widowed, preferring to fill her days with good friends and travel. But the enchanting courting of President Woodrow Wilson wins Edith over and she becomes the First Lady of the United States. The position is uncomfortable for the fiercely independent Edith, but she's determined to rise to the challenges of her new marriage—from the bloodthirsty press to the shadows of the first World War.

Warming to her new role, Edith is soon indispensable to her husband's presidency. She replaces the staff that Woodrow finds distracting, and discusses policy with him daily. Throughout the war, she encrypts top- secret messages and despite lacking formal education becomes an important adviser. When peace talks begin in Europe, she attends at Woodrow's side. But just as the critical fight to ratify the treaty to end the war and create a League of Nations in order to prevent another, Woodrow's always-delicate health takes a dramatic turn for the worse. In her determination to preserve both his progress and his reputation, Edith all but assumes the presidency herself.

Now, Edith must contend with the demands of a tumultuous country, the secrets of Woodrow's true condition, and the potentially devastating consequences of her failure. At once sweeping and intimate, The President's Wife is an astonishing portrait of a courageous First Lady and the sacrifices she made to protect her husband and her country at all costs.

The incredible story of the First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency

Socialite Edith Bolling has been in no hurry to find a new husband since she was widowed, preferring to fill her days...


Advance Praise

"Lush, lyrical, and riveting, with exquisite detail that brings alive the courageous determination of one of America’s First Ladies, The President’s Wife will charm and astonish you, while holding you tight in its intriguing grip." ― Jennifer Rosner, award-winning author of The Yellow Bird Sings and Once We Were Home

"Tracey Enerson Wood once more paints a vivid portrait of a woman whose remarkable role and achievements in history have largely been relegated to the shadows. Rich in historical detail and impressively researched, The President’s Wife gives the reader a rare peek through the lens of Edith Wilson, from her courtship with a president to her decisions over matters ultimately leading to world wars. A fascinating read!" ― Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday and The Ways We Hide

"A stately and dignified account that is beautifully leavened by intimate glimpses of Edith and Woodrow in their happiness, grief, anger, and optimism." ― Library Journal

"Lush, lyrical, and riveting, with exquisite detail that brings alive the courageous determination of one of America’s First Ladies, The President’s Wife will charm and astonish you, while holding...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781728257846
PRICE $27.99 (USD)
PAGES 352

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Average rating from 145 members


Featured Reviews

I enjoyed the way Tracey Enerson Wood wrote this, it was what I was hoping for from a historical novel. I loved the idea of a story about Edith Bolling-Wilson. I really didn't know a lot about her and enjoyed getting to know her in this fictional novel. It had a great concept for a historical novel and the characters worked in this timeline.

"Edith and Woodrow both loved baseball. They followed the season in the sports pages and argued over who was the best player. Edith favored Ty Cobb, who racked up the batting titles every year, while Woodrow liked Shoeless Joe Jackson, a perpetual runner-up. “You have to consider the whole game, not just batting averages,” he insisted. “Extra bases, outfield saves…”

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