I knew nothing about Frances Perkins when I started this book. I learned so much of the time period and what she had to do to overcome sexism. Dray writes so well that you can believe the people and obstacles that Frances had to overcome, including her own mother. I can’t imagine the strength it took to continue her fight for poor people and the labor movement. She is responsible for our Social Security system, all while having a rebellious daughter and mentally ill spouse. I’m so glad I opted for this book.
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I agree with you completely. I vaguely knew that there had been a woman in FDR’s cabinet, but that’s it. She was a fascinating woman,who should really be more well known. She had so many complications and obstacles, but she persevered.
I enjoyed the historical fiction read. I felt it was well written and educational. History was made by a woman that fought for the rights of the American people. Shows women can lead in government and be successful and non biased.
Excellent writing providing accurate historical moments in our American history while weaving details of lives previously known little about. Very grateful to have read this book, and I had the sense of the vulnerability and strength coming to life more deeply with each page.
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Overall, I thought the book was excellent. Stephanie Dray found the perfect balance between historical events and fiction. Too often, I find that a book leans so far to the fiction side that I am thoroughly disgusted when I arrive at the end and read the author’s notes. I recently read a book about an admirable woman that included an affair with a well-known public figure. The affair affected her marriage, her professional life and her relationships with friends and family. In short, it was critical to the story. However, I discovered in the author’s note that the two historical figures had never even met! Dray’s writing is engaging and illuminates the historical period as well as the lives of the individual characters without sacrificing the integrity of the narrative.
I found the book really interesting and felt I learned a lot by reading it. France Perkins is not someone I would normally think about in regard to FDR;s presidency.
In recent years there has been a flood of stories about the people behind the white men that are often credited for work. I hope this continues to be the case and is not white-washed with the changes that are being directed by the current administration. This story is fascinating and very well written.
I really enjoyed this book! I found it interesting, however, that as politcally astute she was, how naive she was in her personal life with her husband and daughter. Her personal life, like some ambitious persons suffered . I also like that she was not intimidated by FDR. She realally stood her ground. I rhink that’s a big part of why he liked her. A smart leader has people around him to tell him when he was wrong…
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I felt that the author gave us a good idea of the struggles of a woman in government, i.e. her struggles with misogyny, work-life balance. I did find the language a bit flowery at times. I do realze as the author explained she was attempting to use the vernacular that Francis Perkins would use. I enjoyed this book and after a slow start I became engrossed.