Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History

An engrossing look at twelve presidential marriages—from Edith and Woodrow Wilson to Laura and George W. Bush—that have profoundly affected America’s history.

“Insightful.... Colorful.... A shrewd and illuminating look at the juncture where the personal and the political overlap.” —The Wall Street Journal

Marton uncovers the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the ultimate power couples, showing how first ladies have used their privileged access to the president to influence staffing, promote causes, and engage directly in policy-making. Edith Wilson secretly ran the country after Woodrow’s debilitating stroke. Eleanor Roosevelt was FDR’s moral compass. And Laura Bush, initially shy of any public role, has proven to be the emotional ballast for her husband. Through extensive research and interviews, Marton reveals the substantial—yet often overlooked–legacy of presidential wives, providing insight into the evolution of women’s roles in the twentieth century and vividly depicting the synergy of these unique political partnerships.

KATI MARTON is the author of numerous works of non-fiction—Wallenberg, A Death in Jerusalem, and The Polk Conspiracy—and fiction, An American Woman. She has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, Vanity Fair, and The New Republic. A former correspondent for National Public Radio and ABC News, Marton received a George Foster Peabody Award for broadcast journalism. She lives in New York City with her husband and her son and daughter.