“As juicy and enlightening as a page in Meghan Markle’s diary.”—InStyle“Presidential darling, America’s sweetheart, national rebel: Teddy Roosevelt’s swashbuckling daughter Alice springs to life in this raucous anthem to a remarkable woman.”—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The HuntressA sweeping novel from renowned author Stephanie Marie Thornton…Alice may … novel from renowned author Stephanie Marie Thornton…
Alice may be the president’s daughter, but she’s nobody’s darling. As bold as her signature color Alice Blue, the gum-chewing, cigarette-smoking, poker-playing First Daughter discovers that the only way for a woman to stand out in Washington is to make waves—oceans of them. With the canny sophistication of the savviest politician on the Hill, Alice uses her celebrity to her advantage, testing the limits of her power and the seductive thrill of political entanglements.
But Washington, DC is rife with heartaches and betrayals, and when Alice falls hard for a smooth-talking congressman it will take everything this rebel has to emerge triumphant and claim her place as an American icon. As Alice soldiers through the devastation of two world wars and brazens out a cutting feud with her famous Roosevelt cousins, it’s no wonder everyone in the capital refers to her as the Other Washington Monument—and Alice intends to outlast them all.
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Interesting information about Alice and the Roosevelts.
About Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth, cousin of FDR. Alice lived a colorful life up to age 96, and saw 16 presidents. A fun and interesting read.
I truly enjoyed this book, as I love reading books dealing with real people that were part of American history. Learned so much about Teddy Roosevelt and the early twentieth century through the story about Alice. I have recommended it to several of my friends and family.
I learned so much about an important woman I had never heard of! While reading, i figured a lot of the book was probably the author’s imagination. Because the text came across somewhat “gossipy”. When I read the afterword material, I learned that it was most factual! What a character Alice was! I want to learn so much more about the Roosevelts and this historical period.
Historical fiction is so interesting. Always learn something new about American history
One of the best books I have read this year. Love her use of words!
What a life she lead! The book provided great insight into the politics and personalities of the early 20th century. Couldn’t put the book down!
Not very deep.
Although I had heard of Alice Roosevelt Longworth, I had never read a biography of her life. She was so much more than I had realized. An accomplished political ally
and campaigner for her Father and for her husband. A few things that I never knew about her private life. All, well written and entertaining.
I ended up skimming it. Not a page turner!
I’ve always been fascinated by the Roosevelt’s. This factionalized account of Alice captured her feisty spirit perfectly.
Found this very informative as I had never read much about the Roosevelt daughter. Nice review of history during that time period.
Great book
Alice Roosevelt Longworth was quite the interesting character.
Interesting read about a real-life person in history.
just an okay read nothing special but certainly readable
I learned a great deal about Alice Roosevelt from reading this book. It was interesting and quick to read. I enjoyed her as a character narrating her life story.
“I can be President of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both.”
I was familiar with one of Teddy Roosevelt’s more memorable lines, as well as his own back story (death of his wife and mother on the same day, subsequent abandonment of his two-day-old baby, followed by remarriage to a woman who wasn’t exactly crazy about her rambunctious step-daughter, and even Alice’s Pacific tour), but American Princess provides a far more in-depth look at Alice Roosevelt, from her days living in the White House to her days visiting it during the Kennedy years.
This is historical fiction at its finest, with the characters finely drawn from letters, diaries, newspaper clippings, interviews, and other source materials that allowed Stephanie Marie Thornton to create a detailed portrait of the life, loves, and legacy of Alice Roosevelt Longworth. (For what it’s worth, I previously knew about the womanizing husband, but not Aurora Borah Alice.)
Thornton’s work is fast-paced and lively, not unlike Roosevelt Longworth herself, it seems, and she manages to imbue all of the characters with a complexity that is undoubtedly true-to-life. (Case in point, I found Teddy himself much more sympathetic in this work than in any previous book I’ve read about him.) American Princess is beautifully written, and the scandals and hijinx are as readable as any tabloid, while being the heart and soul of a work with a true literary feel. This is historical fiction, but – and I mean this is all the best ways – it’s sometimes difficult to discern where the truth stops and the fiction begins.
Five stars.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2019/10/american-princess-novel-of-first.html)
Alice was such a wonderful vibrant historical figure. I lived learning about this side of the Roosevelt family
Tiresome. Repeats similar situations over and over.