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Book Summary and Reviews of The First Ladies by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

The First Ladies

by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray

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  • Jun 2023, 400 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian.

The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women's rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other's hands through tragedy and triumph.

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband's secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women's desire to fight together for justice and equality.

This is the story of two different, yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!
  1. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt is a well-known historical figure in America, but were you familiar with civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune before reading this book? Having finished The First Ladies, what are your views on her and her role in history? How might you rewrite her back into the narrative?
  2. Eleanor and Mary were both so accomplished in their professional lives. What personality traits do you think helped them achieve this success?
  3. Eleanor and Mary came from very different family backgrounds. How did their families and early experiences inform the women they became and the roles they chose to play in their communities?
  4. At the outset of the book, Mary and Eleanor handle the women at the club luncheon ...
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Reviews

Media Reviews

"While the depictions of the women's activism are inspiring, the novel really shines in the behind-the-scenes moments when the women support each other during personal struggles with marital infidelity, illness, and loss. This impeccably researched, relevant novel is a must-read and destined to be a book-club favorite." —Booklist (starred review)

"Those who enjoy stirring historical fiction, as well as fans of The Personal Librarian, will find Benedict and Murray's latest collaboration compelling." —Library Journal (starred review)

"Benedict and Murray (The Personal Librarian) deliver a dazzling narrative of the friendship between first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Black educator Mary McLeod Bethune...This is a potent tale of two crusading women's accomplishments." —Publishers Weekly

"Explores the extraordinary legacies of these two historical figures, while also bringing us into their personal lives and their deep friendship. Benedict and Murray bring their knack for historical fiction to a story of the women's unlikely alliance and the ways their bond and efforts forged the beginnings of the modern civil rights movement." —Entertainment Weekly

This information about The First Ladies was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

Write your own reviewwrite your own review

Ruth

Enlightening
This book puts the reader right in the middle of being a First Lady and being a suppressed black person with insights into both. An excellent informative book. It truly will keep you up late into the night because you won't be able to put it down.

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Author Information

Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray Author Biography

Photo: Rochelle Scott Design and Photography

Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of more than twenty novels including: Greed; Envy; Lust; The Ex FilesLady JasmineThe Deal, the Dance, and the Devil; and Stand Your Ground, which was named a Library Journal Best Book of the Year. She is also the coauthor of the novel The Personal Librarian. Winner of nine African American Literary Awards for Fiction and Author of the Year (Female), Murray is also a four-time NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Fiction. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Washington, DC.

Author Interview
Link to Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray's Website

Other books by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray at BookBrowse
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More Recommendations

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