Parlor Politics: In Which the Ladies of Washington Help Build a City and a Government

In this scholarly yet animated and thought-provoking, analysis, Allgor presents her groundbreaking research on the critical role that women played in the early days of Washington politics. Any connection whatsoever between women and government had been firmly opposed by Thomas JeffersonDthe first president to make Washington his permanent residenceDbecause a female presence reminded him of decadent European court life and offended his republican sensibilities. However, when Dolley Madison became first lady, she initiated a social life in Washington that enabled the political players to gather at ""lev es"" (large parties) and dinners, presided over by Washington matriarchs, which not only redefined the social dimension of politics, but also gave women more freedom to participate in public life. In fact, during Andrew Jackson's administration, a scandal over the virtue of Margaret Eaton, who was married to his secretary of war, forced the resignation of the entire cabinet because their wives refused to speak to Eaton, much to Jackson's fury. Allgor, an assistant professor of history at Simmons College, combines excellent research, which draws on primary archival material, with a flair for expressive writing. (Dec.) Forecast: One of the new first lady's first official engagements in January will be a luncheon sponsored by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and the First Ladies' Library, where Allgor is scheduled to be the guest speaker. A selection of the History Book Club, her book is bound to draw attention in Washington, as well as in New York and Boston, where publicity appearances should bring her work to the attention of readers interested in women's studies, U.S. history and politics.