Untold Power: The Fascinating Rise and Complex Legacy of First Lady Edith Wilson

I'm reading this book for a monthly book discussion group in which everyone chooses a different book and tells the group about it. It's a great way to learn about new books. Also, I recently bought and read "Cokie", Stephen Roberts' memoir about his wife, Cokie Roberts, and I wanted to read this book written by their daughter, Rebecca Boggs Roberts. Cokie would be proud.

Edith Bolling was born into one of the most prominent of Virginia's families. A descendant of Pocahontas, she was related by blood to much of the colonial and state leadership of the state. But when she was born in 1872 much of the wealth that had been associated with her family was gone, and her childhood and early adult years were spent, if not in poverty, then in circumstances considerably straitened compared to those of her forebears. Like most young women in those days she received very little education and was expected to marry as soon as possible. For the most part Edith followed that plan. She married a prosperous jeweler and became part of Washington DC's social circle. When her husband died she maintained his business and became unusually independent, driving herself around in an electric car and playing a more open role in managing her store than was the norm. In 1915 the recently widowed President Woodrow Wilson met her and fell in love. Not anxious to sacrifice her private life, she dithered before eventually allowing herself to be persuaded into marrying him. From the start of their marriage Edith Wilson was determined to assist her new husband in the business of running the nation. She sat in on Cabinet meetings and discussed national affairs with the President in a way no First Lady had done before. This experience enabled her to step in and actually run the country for the last year and a half or so of her husband's second term after he suffered a severe stroke. I already knew the story of Edith Wilson's marriage and her inadvertent political career, but I was interested to read many details in this biography that I had never known before. This is a well written history of a private woman who was forced into a public role that she performed well.

Interesting woman who protected Woodrow Wilson after his stoke while President even though she was not qualified or following the Constitution. After this secret health crisis (5 mos) an amendment was added to the Constitution. Interestingly Edith was anti suffrage. Good read

This is a very easy book to read, but not short on details, some of which are very interesting. Well balanced, the author does not seem to pass judgment on her subject, pointing out Edith Wilson's flaws and her good attributes, as well as her importance to the country. If you have never read a biography about Mrs. Wilson, I would recommend this one. The only thing that bothered me was use of the double possessive several times ("Ellen also invited Helen Bones, a cousin of Woodrow's, to live at..."), which you would think the editor would have corrected. But then, I am a member of the grammar police.

This was a great book! I found it to be a quick and easy read, though it did leave me wondering if there was anything more that could be said of this particular first lady. Understandably, there is only so much concrete evidence on the history of the past and I appreciated the style of writing here.

I thoroughly enjoyed this account of Edith Wilson’s life and especially her time in the White House with President Woodrow Wilson. The narrative felt alive and fresh even though the events recounted were over 100 years ago. I fully recommend to all.

I appreciate biographies and histories that reveal and augment stories that are usually mentioned but not dwelt on. Wilson’s second marriage to Edith Galt was consequential for American history, and this book gives the story its due and does it justice.

I found Untold Power interesting and informative. It's a quick read and flows nicely. There are lots of interesting points of historical facts and trivia. Woodrow comes across as a pretty miserable person. Frankly, Edith doesn't come across as the most likable person. But such is life.