Book Review: ‘Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History’

Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History

Author: Kati Morton

Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Year of Publication: 2001 (Hardcover); 2002 (Paperback)

Genre: U.S. History; American Presidents; American First Ladies; Biography

A Departure from the Usual: A Thoughtful but Uneven Journey Through Presidential Marriages

I rarely delve into books focused on politics or political figures. My nonfiction interests skew heavily toward military history—essentially a chronicle of political decisions gone awry. When I do read about Presidents, it’s typically within the Cold War sphere: titles like The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev—1960–1963, or accounts centered on flashpoint events like the Cuban Missile Crisis or that awful day in Dallas.

Seldom do I pick up books about the personal lives of America’s Commanders-in-Chief. As a schoolboy, I once absorbed the generic biographies of those Presidents who caught my imagination—Washington, Lincoln, the Roosevelts, Ike, and JFK. However, over time, I shifted from broad strokes to specialization in World War II, the Cold War, and the Persian Gulf War. Still, every so often, it pays to leave the familiar terrain and explore something off the beaten path.

Amazon Description/Publisher’s Blurb

An engrossing look at twelve presidential marriages—from Edith and Woodrow Wilson to Laura and George W. Bush—that have profoundly affected America’s history.

“Insightful…. Colorful…. A shrewd and illuminating look at the juncture where the personal and the political overlap.” —The Wall Street Journal

Marton uncovers the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the ultimate power couples, showing how first ladies have used their privileged access to the president to influence staffing, promote causes, and engage directly in policymaking. Edith Wilson secretly ran the country after Woodrow’s debilitating stroke. Eleanor Roosevelt was FDR’s moral compass. And Laura Bush, initially shy of any public role, has proven to be the emotional ballast for her husband. Through extensive research and interviews, Marton reveals the substantial—yet often overlooked–legacy of presidential wives, providing insight into the evolution of women’s roles in the twentieth century and vividly depicting the synergy of these unique political partnerships.

My Take

Kati Marton’s Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History (2001) was my departure. Comprising twelve brief portraits of 20th-century Presidents and their First Ladies, the book leans heavily into the post-Eisenhower “power couple” dynamic—from the Kennedys through George W. and Laura Bush. (Notably, Ike and Mamie don’t warrant a chapter of their own, nor do most of the couples between the Wilson and Roosevelt administrations. Whether that’s a reflection of blandness or political leanings—I can’t say.)

Marton’s prose is crisp and well-structured, yet I didn’t find the book deeply engaging. Perhaps the overexposure to post-1960 First Couples dulled the impact. I’ve read more than enough about Jackie Kennedy’s optimism before Dallas, Betty Ford’s battles with addiction, and the controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton’s “unlimited partnership” with Bill. Instead, it was the first two chapters—on Edith and Woodrow Wilson, and Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt—that captivated me.

The image of the austere Wilson acting like a lovestruck adolescent in pursuit of a younger second wife is as endearing as it is revealing. Edith Wilson’s role—especially after her husband’s devastating stroke—veers into co-presidency territory, and Marton’s portrayal illuminates the underappreciated influence she wielded during the League of Nations era.

As for Eleanor and Franklin, their story overlaps with my WWII interests and offers a compelling look into a partnership defined by resilience and moral clarity. Eleanor wasn’t glamorous, nor did she have the benefit of an uncomplicated marriage. Yet she emerged as Franklin’s conscience and compass—his “eyes and ears” on poverty, race, and social justice. Her voice echoed through newspaper columns and public forums, sometimes from the farthest reaches of the Pacific theater, becoming one of the most admired and impactful First Ladies of the century.