This was a gargantuan look at the lives of the First Ladies of the United States of America from 1789 to 1961. Covering the periods of Martha Washington through Mamie Eisenhower, Carl Sferrazza Anthony gives us a look into the lives of some of the most famous American women: the first ladies. As stated in the title of the book, the narrative focuses on the "power" these women held. Because of this, some first ladies are hardly touched on, as they held little sway over their husband's political decisions. Others, such as Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, Dolley Madison, Mary Lincoln, Edith Wilson, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mamie Eisenhower, were given a much larger scope in the telling of their stories. It's a fascinating read. ( )