A review by sophronisba
Lady First: The World of First Lady Sarah Polk by Amy S. Greenberg

4.0

On the one hand, Sarah Polk used the cult of domesticity to expertly wield soft power as First Lady. On the other hand, she was an unrepentant slaveowner who never really disavowed secession. The author of this book might admire her a tiny bit too much, but the research here is impressive and pathbreaking, so I salute her for that. The book was fascinating, and I walked away mildly infuriated and conducting a vehement argument in my head with a woman who died 140 years ago. Which is no doubt a tribute to the author's writing if not her analysis.