by Jane Mayer
First published 1963
Dolly Madison stands in the President's House as British forces advance on Washington. The year is 1814, and she must decide what to save and what to abandon. Mayer brings Madison to life through the eyes of a woman who transformed the role of First Lady while navigating the treacherous waters of early American politics. From her Quaker upbringing through her marriage to James Madison, Dolly faces social expectations that clash with her natural warmth and political instincts. She opens the Executive Mansion to all citizens, hosts legendary parties that unite fractious politicians, and saves precious artifacts when war threatens the capital. The novel explores how one woman's charm and intelligence helped shape a young nation's social fabric while she struggled to balance public duty with personal desires.
Genres: american-fiction, biographical-fiction, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-figure, strong-female-lead
Setting: Washington, President's House
Period: 1814
Library Binding · Random Library