Dolley Madison Saves History Book

She became the inaugural "First Lady" because she was the magnanimous host of the new White House- the toast of the town! I stress "town" because the District was a swampy locale with a shockingly low population. It needed to become the capital of the burgeoning United States and Dolley designed her new home optimally to function as its hub.

She was a legendary host who dressed in eye-catching fashion without being viewed as sexy scenery- mastering that tenuious balance that's still difficult today with natural grace. She served the exciting dishes of the time and place and made the micro-city seem metropolitan.

She got along with everybody from the "lowly" servants to the upper crust so everyone was happy around her. As the wife of the President she undertook unprecedented political duty for a woman by using her magnetism to facilitate friendships and forge lasting bonds between others- even if it was despite themselves. Politicians NEED that in order to properly run a government so she was just as important as any of them.

I could go on praising her but this book only covers so much. The highlight is the shocking bravery she displayed when the British were making haste to specifically lay waste to her new place. When James was needed in the field of war next door she stayed home with impressive optimism. Until she was only hours from capture or worse she made sure the house ready for a celebratory dinner but even when she was forced to flee she still made sure to head back for the portrait of her close friend George Washington so that it could go on to be the centerpiece of the next White House instead of ashes under the feet of the enemy.