About this item

The first biography of arguably the most influential member of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration, Marguerite "Missy" LeHand, FDR's de facto chief of staff, who has been misrepresented, mischaracterized, and overlooked throughout history ... until now.Widely considered the first female presidential chief of staff, Marguerite "Missy" LeHand was the right-hand woman to Franklin Delano Roosevelt - both personally and professionally - for more than twenty years. Although her official title as personal secretary was relatively humble, her power and influence were unparalleled. Everyone in the White House knew one truth: If you wanted access to Franklin, you had to get through Missy. She was one of his most trusted advisors, affording her a unique perspective on the president that no one else could claim, and she was deeply admired and respected by Eleanor and the Roosevelt children. With unprecedented access to Missy's family and original source materials, journalist Kathryn Smith tells the captivating and forgotten story of the intelligent, loyal, and clever woman who had a front-row seat to history in the making. The Gatekeeper is a thoughtful, revealing unsung-hero story about a woman ahead of her time, the true weight of her responsibility, and the tumultuous era in which she lived - and a long overdue tribute to one of the most important female figures in American history.



About the Author

Kathryn Smith

KATHRYN SMITH is a journalist and writer with a long fascination with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his circle and his times. Her abiding interest in FDR led to her decision to write "The Gatekeeper," the first and only biography of Marguerite LeHand, his private secretary, confidant, advisor and friend. Kathryn frequently speaks about Missy, often in character and in period costume. (Visit her website at www.kathrynsmithwords.com or the Missy LeHand page on Facebook) Kathryn's most recent venture is co-authorship, with Kelly Durham, of the Missy LeHand Mystery novels, beginning with "Shirley Temple Is Missing." A second novel, "The President's Birthday Ball Affair," is in the works. Kathryn and Kelly attended high school together in the 1970s and re-connected professionally a few years ago when she began proof-reading his fiction books. Kathryn was so taken with Kelly's inventive and fact-based World War II thrillers and Old Hollywood novels that she asked him to collaborate with her on a Missy mystery. The rest, as they say, is history.



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