This book portrays the life of Martin Van Buren, an active architect of the Democratic Party and eighth president of the American republic, who still remains in the public mind as an obscure, if not forgotten, figure of our history. It depicts his rise to legal then political prominence. Van Buren's long-winding road to the White House was marked by the creation of his "Albany Regency", a well-disciplined political machine that he effectively managed through the so-called spoils system and adroitly used to his own political advantage. Blessed with sound political acumen but despised for his constant political manoeuvring, he was known as "the Little Magician" by his friends and enemies alike, with different motives. As president, Van Buren was beset with the Panic of 1837, a strong economic recession resulting mostly from his predecessor's wrong choices, but for which he paid a strong political price. This book details his life and career.

The public perception of the First Lady has evolved through the years and the press and scholars are beginning to take note of the essential role presidents' wives have played in the Administration and in the nation as a whole. Their participation in the country's historical, philosophical and sociological experience has made them "First Women" and "First Partners". The twentieth century in particular has seen the construction of their image in the media and highlighted the evolution of their political role at the heart of presidential power. This book explores the ambiguity that underlies Nancy Reagan's multiple facets as both an individual and the first lady. It also sheds light on the particularities of one of the most controversial yet exceptional women of the twentieth century and provides a deeper insight into the complex role of the (first) lady they called "the woman behind the man".

The public perception of the First Lady has evolved through the years and the press and scholars are beginning to take note of the essential role presidents' wives have played in the Administration and in the nation as a whole. Their participation in the country's historical, philosophical and sociological experience has made them 'First Women' and 'First Partners'. They have been identified as standard bearers of the whole female community, as they have both pioneered and reflected women's role in American society. The twentieth century in particular has seen the construction of their image in the media and highlighted the evolution of their political role at the heart of presidential power. Has Nancy Reagan been underrated, misunderstood, unfairly criticised? Have her qualities (clear-sightedness, rigor, moral rectitude, empathy, her positive image abroad, etc.) been too often ignored? To what extent has she expanded or limited the undefined institution of the First Lady? The book seeks to explore the ambiguity that underlies this First Lady's multiple facets. It intends to shed light on the particularities of one of the most controversial yet exceptional women of the twentieth century and get a deeper insight into the complex role of the (first) lady they called "the woman behind the man".

The public perception of the First Lady has evolved through the years and the press and scholars are beginning to take note of the essential role presidents' wives have played in the Administration and in the nation as a whole. Their participation in the country's historical, philosophical and sociological experience has made them "First Women" and "First Partners". They have been identified as standard bearers of the whole female community, as they have both pioneered and reflected women's role in American society. The twentieth century in particular has seen the construction of their image in the media and highlighted the evolution of their political role at the heart of presidential power. Has Nancy Reagan been underrated, misunderstood, unfairly criticised? Have her qualities (clear-sightedness, rigour, moral rectitude, empathy, her positive image abroad, etc.) been too often ignored? To what extent has she expanded or limited the undefined institution of the First Lady? The book seeks to explore the ambiguity that underlies this First Lady's multiple facets. It intends to shed light on the particularities of one of the most controversial yet exceptional women of the twentieth century and get a deeper insight into the complex role of the (first) lady they called "the woman behind the man".