Lloyd R

Becoming Madam Secretary, by Stephanie Dray, is an amazing story. It's all about the first female cabinet member. Frances Perkins was picked by FDR to be his Secretary of Labor when he officially became president in early 1933. We learn that right at the beginning of the book. Then Stephanie goes back to 1909 and gives us Frances' background. We learn about her husband and his difficulties, her pregnancies, her path that led to her appointment. And, later, we learn about everything she did as Labor Secretary. We see how being a woman affected her job and her ability to get things done. We learn a lot about FDR and Eleanor. it could NOT have been more interesting.

This is not a short book. it comes in at 500 pages. But, boy, did I get through it quickly. I picked it up every available minute. And, like any good historical fiction, we find out in the author notes which characters were fictional and which were real. I have to say that these author notes were particularly interesting.

So far I've only read one other book by Stephanie Dray. It's called The Women of Chateau Lafayette. And it was also a 5/5! I need to get off my keister and read more...and I will! In the meantime, please read Becoming Madam Secretary.