One of the most underestimated, and challenging, positions in the world, the First Lady of the United States must be many things: an inspiring leader with a forward-thinking agenda of her own; a savvy politician, skilled at navigating the treacherous rapids of Washington; a wife and mother operating under constant scrutiny; and an able CEO responsible for the smooth operation of countless services and special events at the White House. Kate Andersen Brower draws on a wide array of untapped, candid sources, from residence staff and social secretaries to friends and political advisers, to tell the stories of the ten remarkable women who have defined that role since 1960.

Brower draws on a wide array of untapped, candid sources to tell the stories of the ten remarkable women who have defined the role of First Lady of the United States since 1960. From Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama, she offers new insights into this privileged group, and shares stories exploring everything from the first ladies political crusades to their rivalries with Washington figures; from their friendships with other first ladies to their public and private relationships with their husbands.