A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation Audiobook

" As I gather from reading this, Dolley was one of the first American woman celebrities and I think she really deserved it. It sounds to me like she orchestrated a lot of big name political events and changed the atmosphere in Washington forever. I think she suffered a little bit psychologically from putting on the airs of pleasing everyone all the time too. "

" Our 10th anniversary as a book club and a pretty good book to celebrate with. "

" No a favorite. Kind of a sterile writing style I think. Reading an encyclopedia would have more appeal. "

" Although interesting to read about Dolley Madison, the author is rather redundant throughout the book. It was difficult to read because the author doesn't seem to think that the reader will understand her conclusions, therefore she repeats them over and over... "

" Very interesting to hear how instrumental Dolly Madison was in creating the role of First Lady. Her social skills were a great asset to her husband, James Madison. "

" This is much more a biography than " the creation of an American nation". Still, I enjoyed it and gained some insight into Dolley's popularity. She was proud of America, and showed it in all manner of things, including the abundance at her table. "

" A good overall history of Dolley Madison's life and impact on the early development of the U.S. Government and society. Very interesting and easy to read. "

" Dry. Not what I was thinking it was. It was more about her latter life, including how she influenced several of James Madison's policies. Ok, very historical. Not what I was looking for. "

" Dolly Madison rules! "

" This book is not to be missed just for the description of what Dolley Madison was doing when the British were on their way to burn down the White House. "

" I was first introduced to Dolley Madison as a childhood when I read her fictionalized bio in the Childhood of Young Americans Series. She was a remarkable First Lady for this country. I enjoyed learning more about her adult life. "

" I had such a greater respect for all the women of the Revolutionary time period after finishing this book. These brave, intelligent, and faithful women are under-appreciated, I think. "

" I guess it is good if you like history but I just didn't like the way it was written. I feel like the whole book was more about setting the scene for her life and it seemed like some of the stories that could have been written more interestingly were brushed over. I tried but I couldn't finish it. "

" Loved Allgor's ability to present events in American history that shaped the young city of Washington (D.C.). I always thought Dolley was an interesting character, but I often wondered if that was hype or the real Dolley. Now I know that it was the real Dolley./pj "

" I loved this book. I actually listened to it on tape. The greatest thing I learned is the power of a woman in a marriage relationship and how a couple can work together unitedly to accomplish much. "

" Thoughtful biography of a very impressive woman. "

" This woman MUST have done something more interesting than picking out crimson curtains for the Oval Office and buying fancy dresses and schmoozing politicians. I don't care if it was 1800. I mean really...can you make it any more boring?! Shoot me now. "

" Good history about Jefferson and Madison and the War of 1812, and I learned perhaps a bit TOO much about Dolley. It dragged at times... "

" What a fascinating lady! What a hard book to get through. I enjoyed the topic, but not the writing. The author could have condensed the book down a lot and told a better story. "

" I didn't really know anything about Dolley Madison, so this was interesting to read. She was a complicated person. "

" Written by an academic historian with a style so elegant and readable that it garnered her a $400,000 advance, according to PW. Also recommended: Parlor Politics. "

" This woman MUST have done something more interesting than picking out crimson curtains for the Oval Office and buying fancy dresses and schmoozing politicians. I don't care if it was 1800. I mean really...can you make it any more boring?! Shoot me now. "

" Dry. Not what I was thinking it was. It was more about her latter life, including how she influenced several of James Madison's policies. Ok, very historical. Not what I was looking for. "

" Very interesting to hear how instrumental Dolly Madison was in creating the role of First Lady. Her social skills were a great asset to her husband, James Madison. "

" I didn't really know anything about Dolley Madison, so this was interesting to read. She was a complicated person. "

" This is much more a biography than " the creation of an American nation". Still, I enjoyed it and gained some insight into Dolley's popularity. She was proud of America, and showed it in all manner of things, including the abundance at her table. "

" Good history but could have been edited down a few chapters...repetitive analysis. "

" A good overall history of Dolley Madison's life and impact on the early development of the U.S. Government and society. Very interesting and easy to read. "