First Lady Autobiographies: Ten Books About the Women Behind the US Presidents

I enjoy reading about those who have led interesting lives, these ten (mostly autobiographies) by US First Ladies are great reads about extraordinary women. Here is the guide to ten of the best biographies of the wives of several US Presidents.

This I Remember by Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote this broad account of her life and marriage to US President Franklin D. Roosevelt after first writing the autobiography, This Is My Story. This I Remember was first published in 1950, in this book Roosevelt provides a broad account of her extraordinary life during some of the most remarkable times in history. FDR was president from 1933 through 1945, during these times we saw the end of the Great Depression and World War II.

Ladybird Johnson: A White House Diary

Ladybird Johnson was the much talked about wife of President Lyndon Johnson, who served as President of the United States from 1963 through 1969. This is an easy to read account of this very unusual First Lady's time in the White House told in her own words.

Barbara Bush: A Memoir

While I have never been a fan of either President Bush Senior or Junior, I enjoy the wisdom and warmth of Barbara Bush's words. Barbara Bush was married to George Bush Sr., who served in the White House from 1989 through 1993. Barbara published her memoirs shortly after leaving the White House in 1994. This lengthy book is filled tells of life in the White House from Barbara Bush's interesting perspective.

Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush
It is almost impossible not to like former First Lady Laura Bush. Her autobiography, which was just published May 2010, is an easy to read account of her early life along with stories of her life in the White House. Laura Bush vividly describes life in the White House following September 11, 2001, but it is her account of the tragic high school car accident that she describes in heart wrenching detail that truly captures the heart of this remarkable woman.

sources:
www.amazon.com

First Lady from Plains, Rosalynn Carter

Rosalynn Carter wrote her autobiography about life in the White House shortly after her husband; Jimmy Carter lost the reelection to Ronald Reagan. Carter's memoir is upbeat and provides a vivid picture of this very private First Lady. Jimmy Carter was President from 1977 until 1981. Rosalynn Carter's autobiography was first published in 1984.

My Turn: The Memoirs of Nancy Reagan

Nancy Reagan has written several autobiographies, this one was first published in 1989 shortly after she and husband Ronald Reagan left the White House. Ronald Reagan was President from 1981 to 1989. Her autobiography reads unapologetically. Nancy Reagan tells the stories of her family and several important political figures. The overriding theme of the book is Nancy's love for her husband Ronald, which is truly touching.

Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Clinton published her autobiography about White House life in 2003, just two years after she and husband William Clinton left office. While many describe the book as "self serving", others consider it a good read. William Clinton was President of the United States between 1993 and 2001.

Edith Kermit Roosevelt: Portrait of a First Lady by Sylvia Jukes Morris

Edith Roosevelt was the second wife of President Theodore Roosevelt. Unlike husband "Teddy" who was very prolific, Edith did not publish her memoir. This is certainly a shame, as Edith Roosevelt was most definitely an extraordinary woman. This biography about Edith Roosevelt, written by Sylvia Jukes Morris has received many praises by reviewers on Amazon.com. Morris tells the story of two childhood friends who later marry to form "one of the most romantic and successful political partnerships. Theodore Roosevelt was President from 1901 until 1909.

Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation by Ellen Fitzpatrick

Hundreds of books have been written about former First Lady, Jackie Kennedy, sadly none of the books were by Jackie herself. This book by Fitzpatrick is considered one of the best due to its ability to capture the heart of a nation grieving over the loss of young President John F. Kennedy. JFK was President for such a brief period, just two years from 1961 until 1963 but his impact on the country was great.

The Private Passion of Jackie Kennedy Onassis: Portrait of a Rider by Vicky Moon

I will admit to being a huge fan of Jackie Kennedy. Has there ever been a woman with such style and grace? It saddens me that she never told her own story. This lovely "coffee table" book by Vicky Moon reveals a side of Jackie Kennedy not often seen. It tells the story of Jackie's love of horses from childhood through her adult years. The book is full of beautiful pictures and is a must for any fan of Jackie's.