Customer Reviews (2)

ask me, do i love it . . .
I adore Brown's work in general. She has an amazing mind and a charismatic way with words. Those of you who love her fiction first and foremost may not appreciate her poetry though, it is absolutely in a different voice then that in which her prose is written. But, as a poet, and from a poetry standpoint - it is concise, moving, and still very much the Rita we know and love. Definitely worth a read - mine is beat-up, dog-eared and very well travelled.

Short little composite of early Rita Mae Brown.
This book is a tiny paperback composite of Rita Mae Brown's early poetry (from the 1970's or maybe before!)
I am a huge fan of hers... and i loved many of her novels (In Her Day, Rubyfruit Jungle, Alma Mater, etc.)maybe i'm not a huge fan of poetry in general... but i didn't LOVE this book of poetry.It just doesn't have the same kind of vivaciousness that her novels contain.Each book seems to have a life of its own... but this poetry book... was just words on the page.
Rita Mae Brown is an awesome novelist, mostly because she creates such realistic characters... and these poems lack that.

(also, this book is out of print, and therefore really expensive.I would just recommend "In Her Day" instead.) ... Read more

Product Description
She had the president's ear and the nation's heart.

She's the wife of the fourth president of the United States; a spirited charmer who adores parties, the latest French fashions, and the tender, brilliant man who is her husband.But while many love her, few suspect how complex Dolley Madison really is.

Only in the pages of her diary--as imagined by novelist Rita Mae Brown--can Dolley fully reveal herself.And there we discover the real first lady--impulsive, courageous, and wise--as she faces her harshest trial: in 1814, the United States is once more at war with mighty Britain, and her beloved James is the most hated man in America.

From the White House receptions she gaily presides over to her wild escape from a Washington under siege, Dolley gives us a legend ,made warmly human.For there has never been a first lady so testedèor one who came through the fire so brilliantly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

For entertainment purposes only...if that!
Well, I can say that I am still waiting for this book to get exciting.Even for fiction, it is not that exciting.I agre with some of the other reviewers; I was looking into some more of the historical accounts of an era that is hard to find decent historical accounts, and I guess I will still be looking after this book.

It is hardly worth finishing.

Couldn't put it down.
I've plowed through a number of heavy historical books about Dolley Madison but none of them ever gave me the sense of the real woman behind the legend until this book. Written in a personable style of Dolley writing in her journal, it is offset by third person narrative filling in the historical happenings. The book is surprisingly complete and correct in political detail. In Ms. Brown's book, Dolley is a living breathing woman who 'fusses' with sister Anna, wholeheartedly throws herself into her husband's political career, ignores her son Payne's wanton selfishness (too painful to contemplate), and deeply loves her husband James, even though she and 'the great little Madison' seemed to be polar opposites at first glance. It is their relationship that is the most interesting to me; they seemed mismatched in personality, James shy and introverted and Dolley bubbly and outgoing.James and Dolley Madison shared a love for the ages and reading about them in a novel form is a splendid read; the Madisons sound like one would imagine they would talk to one another. Maybe a few modernisms creep into their speech, but that for makes easier reading. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or is just in the mood for a good romance with political backgrounds.

Interesting blend of history and fiction - a good read!
Rita Mae Brown delivers again...recommended reading!Dolley has a good flavor of Madison's era.Fortunately its written as a novel and not a textbook, making it very readable and occasionally juicy.I found it to bea gentle way to get acquainted with - and interested in - early Americanhistory.Interested enough to go seek out Dolley Madison's memoirs andletters...too bad they are out of print :(

A pale historical account
This is a book long on accounts of parties and gossipy tidbits and short on historical accounts Dolley must have felt real horror as the British approached but this was not really portrayed in the book.Her servants seemed much more frightened.Dolley was more concerned with the politics of the day than with actual living.Altogether this book would not be missed if not read ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Rita Mae
I didnt realise this book was in another language til it came, tricky buying on line but still love Rita Maes words so all good. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

R. Brown
Can't review this book. I bought it for a friend that doesn't own a computer. ... Read more