Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Comparing First Ladies

1. Auditioning for First Lady: Their Debut Presidential Campaigns

2. The Transition to the White House: Becoming First Lady

3. Forging Their Own Paths: Michelle and Melania as First Ladies

4. Can't Please Everyone: Managing Criticism and Scandal

5. Presidential Election, Round Two: Campaigning as First Lady

Afterword: Contrasting Michelle Obama and Melania Trump

Notes

Selected Bibliography

Index

About the Author

Tammy R. Vigil's recent books include Moms in Chief and Connecting with Constituents. She has also published articles or chapters on rhetoric by Michelle Obama, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and George W. Bush; the history of nominating conventions; and convention speeches by presidential nominees' spouses. Dr. Vigil is Associate Professor of Communication at Boston University and studies political campaign rhetoric and women as political communicators. She formerly served as associate dean of the College of Communication at Boston University and is a past winner of the Wrange-Baskerville award given by the Public Address Division of the National Communication Association.

Reviews

Vigil's book is one of the more balanced on this topic, examining the work of both Obama and Trump with a non-sensational, nonpartisan voice that remains honest and doesn't hide anything, and a willingness to retrieve lessons from past administrations as examples. In detail, Vigil also shows why a thick skin is necessary for the spouse in the White House; and then she flips the script, showing how, if a FLOTUS ever decides to opt out and stay home, she'd have history behind her. No doubt, Melania and Michelle is perfect for anyone interested in politics but it will also appeal to the reader who wants a behind-the-scenes look at a job that only a select few will ever hold.
*The Washington Informer*