Presidential Wives: An Anecdotal History.

• Author: Kotz, Mary Lynn

Presidential Wives: An Anecdotal History.

So Nancy Reagan consults an astrologer? So did Florence Harding, who was advised that her husband Warren "would never live to complete his term" as president. Moreover, Mary Todd Lincoln tried to reach her dead son Willie, via seance. Despite differences in the times, their ages, upbringing, and style, presidential wives have had much in common--so much, in fact, that historian Paul F. Boller Jr.'s book, a companion to his Presidential Anecdotes, somehow brings reassurance that the Republic will stand. And sometimes it seems to stand on the shoulders of the woman beside the president.

The anecdotes are telling: they portray presidential character, revealing behavior that ranges from extramarital dalliances to extraordinary devotion. And there's no doubt that personality influences policy.

Nearly all the wives acted as sounding boards and behind-the-scenes advisors. Helen Taft made her husband, the judge, turn down two appointments to the Supreme Court by Theodore Roosevelt because she thought he had a chance at the White House. Later, of course, he was named to the Court, which he'd wanted all along. Bess Truman blue-penciled Harry's speeches. Ellen, the first Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, proofread all her husband's writing. Sometimes at lunch they would speak in edit-talk: "The soup comma my dear comma is delicious semi colon Maggie is an excellent cook period No wonder exclamation you taught her period." But it was Edith, the second Mrs. Wilson, who became her husband's surrogate in his official capacity while he recovered from a stroke.

Frances Cleveland and Grace Coolidge were notable exceptions to the advisory role. They stuck to gracious entertaining for their men. As for hostessing, however, none came close to the vivacious Dolly Madison, who lifted her "little husband" into society, served as First Lady for the widowed Jefferson (yes, there was Talk), and led Washington in fashion and entertaining until she died at 81.

This book is full of poignant stories...