Description
Book SynopsisInventing a Voice is a comprehensive work on the lives and communication of twentieth-century first ladies. Using a rhetorical framework, the contributors look at the speaking, writing, media coverage and interaction, and visual rhetoric of American first ladies from Ida Saxton McKinley to Laura Bush. The women''s rhetorical devices variedsome practiced a rhetoric without words, while others issued press releases, gave speeches, and met with various constituencies. All used interpersonal or social rhetoric to support their husbands'' relationships with world leaders, party officials, boosters, and the public. Featuring an extensive introduction and chapter on the First Lady as a Site of ''American Womanhood,'' Wertheimer has gathered a collection that includes the post-White House musings of many first ladies, capturing their reflections on public expectations and perceived restrictions on their communication.
Trade ReviewMolly Meijer Wertheimer's Inventing A Voice is an excellent addition to the first lady research shelf. Addressing an area not usually examined by first lady historians, this ambitious book examines the rhetorical discourse of first ladies from Ida McKinley to Laura Bush. The essays are interesting and well-researched and provide perspective on the most difficult unpaid job in America. -- Myra G. Gutin, Rider University
This collection offers new insights into the private and personal lives of America's First Ladies through an examination of their rhetorical discourse and image. Essential. * CHOICE *
By utilizing both traditional and alternative approaches to the study of mass communcation, the authors reveal the complexities of political outreach and exchange as conducted by the presidents' wives. First ladies, these authors maintain, have invented their voices with throught and care. They have not chosen simply between speech and silence, but rather among a diverse array of messages, means, and audiences. -- MaryAnne Borrelli, Conneticut College * Rhetoric & Public Affairs *
This book is a worthy and long-overdue addition to the growing base of scholarly literature on the first ladies. Wertheimer is to be commended for bringing together probing, original essays on every first lady of the twentieth century that examine the rhetorical styles and communication of those occupying this most dynamic and challenging 'office.' I enthusiastically recommend it to scholars of the presidency, communication, media studies, and women's studies, and also believe the book would make a fine supplemental text for the classroom, as students will find it to be quite readable and approachable! -- Robert P. Watson, Lynn University; author of Affairs of State, The Presidents’ Wives, and America’s First Crisis
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Editor's Introduction: First Ladies' Fundamental Rhetorical Choices: When to Speak? What to Say? When to Remain Silent? Chapter 2 1 The First Lady: A Site of "American Womanhood" Chapter 3 2 Ida Saxton McKinley: Indomitable Spirit or Autocrat of the Sick Bed Chapter 4 3 Edith Kermit Roosevelt: First Lady, First Mommy Chapter 5 4 Helen Herron Taft: Opportunity and Ambition Chapter 6 5 Ellen Axson Wilson: A Rhetorical Reassessment of a Forgotten First Lady Chapter 7 6 Edith Bolling Galt Wilson: Actions Speak Louder than Words Chapter 8 7 Florence Kling Harding: Bridging Traditional and Modern Rhetorical Roles Chapter 9 8 Grace Goodhue Coolidge: Articulating Virtue Chapter 10 9 Lou Henry Hoover: Mining the Possibilities as Leader and First Lady Chapter 11 10 Eleanor Roosevelt: A Rhetorical Reconstruction of First Ladydom Chapter 12 11 Bess Wallace Truman: "The Boss" from Independence Chapter 13 12 Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower: Reflecting the Mood of the Nation Chapter 14 13 Jacqueline Kennedy: The Rhetorical Construction of Camelot Chapter 15 14 Lady Bird Johnson: The Making of a Public First Lady with Private Influence Chapter 16 15 Pat Nixon: Wisdom to Know the Difference Chapter 17 16 Betty Ford: A Certain Comfort From a Candid First Lady Chapter 18 17 Rosalynn Carter: Crafting a Presidential Partnership Rhetorically Chapter 19 18 Nancy Reagan: Leading Lady, Supporting Actress, or Bit Player Chapter 20 19 Barbara Bush: Her Rhetorical Development and Appeal Chapter 21 20 Hillary Rodham Clinton: Using Her Vital Voice Chapter 22 Epilogue: Laura Bush: Using the "Magic of Words" to Educate and Advocate
