NPR American Chronicles: First Ladies

By: NPR

While the role of the first lady has changed dramatically over the course of the nation's history, one thing remains constant: American's have always been fascinated by the wives of the President. Insights into their formative years, their daily routines within the White House, their influence on the public policies espoused by their husbands, and their bold journey into the modern political spotlight have captivated generations of political historians, social critics and tabloid gawkers alike. NPR presents the story of these iconic women as they apply their unique gifts to help transform the role of women in public and private life. Featuring in-depth profiles of many of our beloved, inspiring, and occasionally enigmatic first ladies, including: Martha Washingtion, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and more.

Engaging

My reading project for 2015 is to read about the First Ladies of the United States, I saw this overview audio book put out by NPR from its American Chronicles series; thought it might provide a good overview.

Cokie Roberts narrated the book for NPR with excerpts from interviews with First Lady Biographers and from the First Ladies themselves. Roberts was interviewed for her book of Women of the Revolutionary Period.

Among the First Ladies included are Martha Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Betty Ford, Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

To hear the First Ladies themselves makes this a special audio book. This short audio book won the Audiofile Earphone Award for 2015.

Love Cokie

To hear live interviews over the years with the First Ladies was absolutely wonderful, especially with Cokie Roberts!

Lazy production

Boring! If I wanted to listen to NPR interviews I would turn the station on. Lazy production.