The Ladies of the White House; Or, in the Home of the Presidents Being a Complete History of the Social and Domestic Lives of the Presidents from Washington to the Present Time—1789–1881

"The Ladies of the White House; Or, in the Home of the Presidents" by Laura C. Holloway is a historical record spanning from Martha Washington to the First Lady during President Garfield's time in office, around 1881. The book spotlights the social and home lives of the First Ladies, telling the story of their impact at home and on the country's culture and politics, roles that went mostly without record. The author's beginning passages talk about there being a shortage of stories being told about the women holding the position of First Lady, saying that these women influenced the presidents and their staff. Holloway shines a light on this gap concerning the telling of historical events, talking about how First Ladies transitioned back to private life, generally leaving behind little in the way of their personal stories. The beginning sections get the reader ready for detailed explorations to come, diving into the lives and experiences of First Ladies like Martha Washington, and spotlighting their character, their social sway, and the day-to-day challenges they dealt with in the public eye.