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Marilyn Irvin Holt
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Mamie Doud Eisenhower: The General's First Lady (Modern First Ladies) Hardcover – October 12, 2007

by Marilyn Irvin Holt (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 10 ratings
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It was fitting for a soldier’s wife to make curtains out of military-surplus parachutes. That they would hang in the White House made little difference.

Mamie Doud Eisenhower was a president’s wife who seemed to most Americans like the friend next door. She gave us “Mamie pink” and “Mamie bangs” but has stood in the shadows of first ladies who followed. Yet she accomplished more than even her own contemporaries noticed, and her popularity not only enhanced her husband’s presidency but also put a distinctive stamp on the role of first lady.

This first scholarly biography of Mamie Eisenhower draws on original sources in the Eisenhower Library to paint a realistic and captivating portrait. Marilyn Irvin Holt places her in the context of her time, showing that she was a perfect first lady for the fifties—a stylish grandmother who doted on her family and considered her job to be creating a home life that eased her husband’s work tensions. But Holt shows that besides being steadfastly devoted to Ike, Mamie Eisenhower employed her own “hidden hand” to boost his image.

Holt recaptures the winning personality that made Mrs. Eisenhower an important part of both her husband’s success and her cultural milieu, and relates how her experience as an army wife—with overseas postings, acquaintance with heads of state, and experience as an accomplished hostess—better prepared her for the White House. Holt reveals that there was much more to Mamie Eisenhower than the housewife she described herself as, showing us instead a resourceful first lady who ran the executive mansion like an army sergeant, relished charity work, and promoted cultural events.

As an agent for change, Mamie Eisenhower not only entertained foreign dignitaries but also invited African Americans to the White House when tensions over civil rights were mounting. Holt shares other behind-the-scenes stories of the first lady flying in the face of social and political expectations during the McCarthy era, and also debunks prevailing notions of animosity with Pat Nixon.

Although Ike’s reputation has rebounded in recent years, Mamie’s has remained in the shadows. Holt convincingly shows that there was far more to this neglected first lady than she has received credit for.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    206 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University Press of Kansas
  4. Publication date
    October 12, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 0.5 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0700615393
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0700615391
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A superb biography. The book is well researched and gracefully written. It places this first lady very deftly into her life and times. The book should appeal to general readers, to students of the presidency, to anyone wanting a better understanding of the role of women in American life, and to those who seek a larger understanding of the first six decades of the twentieth century."—Historian

"A succinct, highly readable biography."—Register of the Kentucky Historical Society

"A thoroughly researched, well written biography. . . . Relying almost entirely on archival research . . . , Holt presents . . . a new interpretation to those who have only read historical accounts. In this concise study, Mamie emerges as a smart, confident woman . . . Holt’s analysis offers a new image of the former first lady. She successfully makes the case that Mamie had an impact on society, and in a positive way."—Kansas History

“Americans who ‘liked Ike’ in the 1950s also loved Mamie, and Marilyn Holt explains why in this lively and informative book.”—Chester Pach, coauthor of The Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Painstakingly researched and superbly written, Holt’s definitive biography captures the essence of Mamie Eisenhower.”—Irwin F. Gellman, author of The Contender: Richard Nixon: The Congress Years, 1946–1952

“A welcome addition to the growing literature on American first ladies.”—Holly Cowan Shulman, coeditor of The Eleanor Roosevelt Encyclopedia

From the Back Cover

"Americans who 'liked Ike' in the 1950s also loved Mamie, and Marilyn Holt explains why in this lively and informative book."--Chester Pach, coauthor of The Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Painstakingly researched and superbly written, Holt's definitive biography captures the essence of Mamie Eisenhower."--Irwin F. Gellman, author of The Contender: Richard Nixon: The Congress Years, 1946-1952

"A welcome addition to the growing literature on American first ladies."--Holly Cowan Shulman, coeditor of The Eleanor Roosevelt Encyclopedia

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University Press of Kansas (October 12, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 206 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0700615393
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0700615391
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 10 ratings

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Marilyn Irvin Holt

Marilyn Irvin Holt

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
10 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast delivery!
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
It came much sooner than I expected,and was in very nice condition.
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baffle Raffle
4.0 out of 5 stars Meet Mamie, First Lady, General's Wife and friend
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2014
Verified Purchase
When asked by Amazon “How Did I enjoy the book Mamie Doud Eisenshower-the General’s First Lady?”; I could only say “I Loved It!” The book was a hit from start to finish. Most baby boomers like me only remember Mamie as a older grandmother type. The book opened up a new side of Mamie. She was more than just a First Lady, she was a military wife and a mother. For me, being a former military wife, this was the part of the book I enjoyed the most. Having not lived through WW ll, it’s very hard to know all the things women of that time went through. It would be hard to imagine not seeing your husband for years at a time and then having your son join the war. Mamie did it all with strength and character all in the public eye. Mamie always said she wanted to be remembered as a good friend, and after reading this book, I feel that we would have been.
Anyone who watched the C-Span series on the First Ladies would find this book worth reading. It is part of a series of books called “Modern First Ladies” with everyone from Lou Hoover to Hillary R. Clinton. One word of warning, don’t let the small size fool you. When I first opened the box my first thoughts were “Is this the book or the Cliff Notes?” But I was wonderfully surprised by how well written and complete is really was, without a lot of flowery filler stuck in to just fill extra pages.
2 people found this helpful
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Donna Coulson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great if you have to do a presentation
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
And I do in March for a 1st Ladies Forum. I picked a few books and this is easy read and comprehensive. I'll use most of my material from this book for my presentation. I found some of the others dry and droll. The author gets her points across well.
One person found this helpful
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Gerry Meacham
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2014
Verified Purchase
As expected
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Coppertop
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Wonderful New Biography!
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2007
I just finished this new biography and I was very impressed! Mamie Eisenhower often gets written off as just a housewife (most biographies are her are pretty worthless in my opinion), but this book really highlights her contributions and her perfect fit for the American people of the 1950s. It also discusses her early life as a military wife and how that prepared her for her role of First Lady.

I especially liked how the author brought out the ways that Mamie is typically stereotyped and then talked about how she cultivated some of that image and what she was really doing in the background. Mamie was a huge influence on Ike, but she was a big believer in stepping back and staying in her own sphere, although she certainly had opinions and could often be very strong-willed! Mamie in the 50s was a huge change for the White House as entertainment had been very subdued under the Roosevelts and the Trumans (and it makes sense for subdued entertainments during depression and war). She went back to a full schedule of entertainment and strove to serve the people - to the extent that she responded to all letters to her personally (at least signing them herself although she wrote or dictated many personally as well).

This book relies on almost all primary sources - the huge amount of letters that Mamie Eisenhower wrote over the years is the mainstay. The letters give this book a really personal feel of Mamie - you can really hear and see her in the pages. You can also really feel the devotion the Eisenhowers felt for each other throughout their marriage. I feel like I got to know Mamie as I read this book.

I highly recommend the book - as a historian, as a teacher, as a researcher and as someone who just enjoys a well-written biography!
11 people found this helpful
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daditch
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
I was eight when Ike was elected so don't remember his early years-Mamie was a delight. The right woman for the times. She adored her husband and son-had many friends and was very well liked. Some days she shook thousands of hands-she gave personal touches to all she met-was an avid letter writer too and answered all her mail-or personally signed it. A very feminine woman too-something sorely lacking these days. She knew and followed protocol from years with Ike in his military days. Recommend this to all interested in our First Ladies
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JoAnne
5.0 out of 5 stars Met all my expectations.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2021
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Christmas gift.
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