Genre: Historical Fiction

When I see a book come out by Marie Benedict and, now, Victoria Christopher Murray, I call it a must read. The First Ladies was certainly no exception. Combine its authorship with my current fascination with Eleanor Roosevelt following a summer visit to Hyde Park and the FDR presidential library and an introduction to Mary McLeod Bethune courtesy of The History Chicks, and I was all in. Benedict and Murray begin this work with Roosevelt and Bethune’s first meeting in the 20s through their decades long battle for Civil Rights. By joining forces these ladies break new ground in demonstrating friendship between different races, integrating the federal government, getting black pilots into the air in World War II and much more.

As always with these authors, the character development is excellent. I went down quite an Eleanor Roosevelt rabbit hole after visiting Hyde Park. I loved how Benedict filled in the knowledge I’d gained about Roosevelt with a fully developed woman on the page. Murray accomplishes the same with Bethune. Part of what makes this work special is the very real friendship that develops between the two women. Through this friendship we can witness not only the incredible strengths of these women (that are clearly very evident in history) but also their weaknesses and fears. I find it difficult, of course, to not admire women who fight so vigorously for women’s rights and civil rights. They dramatically changed the country in which we live and for that, I am grateful. But the weaknesses and personal details are where many of us can connect. We can relate to marital stress, worrying about children, loving a good meal, being frustrated by in-laws, being afraid. That connection allows us to believe that perhaps, we too can effect great change in our world. Further, the extensive research completed by its authors is evident in its grounding in the history of their time. We learn about the culture and government in integrated lunches that become photo ops and flights that become legendary. Benedict and Murray bring these stories to life. I have long learned history better with stories than with facts. My favorite history teacher was a storyteller - my roots in historical fiction run deep. I am grateful to books like The First Ladies for continuing my education.

I had the privilege of hearing Marie Benedict speak courtesy of the Evans City Public Library. I appreciated very much her honest recounting of the process of writing The First Ladies with Victoria Christopher Murray. She talked frankly of how through the process of writing, first, The Personal Librarian and then this book, they had tough conversations and explored the same kinds of racial tension likely felt between Roosevelt and Bethune. I have recently had such difficult conversations with a friend (about a different subject), and know the value of agreeing, disagreeing and loving and growing a friendship in it all. These conversations and these books epitomize the importance of literature - in demonstrating friendships that lead to change. Too often we remain polarized rather than working together toward a common goal. The First Ladies is one that book clubs will read; students will read; conversations will happen. And in the process of looking how far we’ve come; we will look at how far we’ve yet to go and, perhaps, see a path to getting there, together.