The First Ladies

By: Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray

Narrated by: Robin Miles, Tavia Gilbert

The Instant New York Times Bestseller!

A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian.

The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph.

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.

This is the story of two different, yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.

Great collaboration of authors!! Amazing story!!

The collaboration I didn’t know I needed!!

Pre ordered this book and loved every single minute of it! Written so perfectly!
Loved learning so much more about Eleanor Roosevelt and learned so much of the first woman of the struggle. This was my first time learning about such amazing & inspiring women Mrs.Bethune.
I enjoyed listening to the epilogue of both authors as well.
Such an amazing collaboration, and the narrators were on point as well!
Definitely a must read and just downloaded “The personal librarian”.
I hope there is more co authored novels in the future!

Wonderful book

I found the book of Eleanor and Mary a book that I learned from. I learned their history even though there were fictional parts that I wouldn’t guess were mixed in with the truth. Their friendship was real and beautiful. They both did so much for the people that were squashed down. It was a pleasure to learn about them.

Interesting and Insightful

This was a very interesting story. I leaned a lot about both Mary and Eleanor in this book and it makes me want to read more books about both ladies.

Time for conversation

History at its best. Well told. Lessons for all to practice and pass on. Looking forward to Victorias and Marie’s next great discovery.

the birth of the civil rights movement

This is my favorite book of 2023. Yes, I listened to several excellent thriller series. But this book spoke to me about the early days of the civil rights movement. I had no idea that Eleanor Roosevelt was so influential in fueling the demand for equal rights, and I'd never heard of Mary Bethune, considered by many to be the First Lady of the early civil rights movement. The research here is meticulous, transformed into a well-paced novel. The passages about the lynching of black men aren't easy to hear. But they're a necessary part of the history of blacks in America. We need to know about them. One of the most startling, poignant passages involved Mary and Eleanor shaking hands in public. I didn't realize that whites and blacks were forbidden to touch each other in 1940s America. Can't recommend this book enough.