Review of Why They Stay
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Hannah Hurst
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- Latest Review: Why They Stay by Anne Michaud
Review of Why They Stay
[Following is a volunteer review of "Why They Stay" by Anne Michaud.]
The first thing I noticed as I set out to read Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Eight Political Wives was the brilliantly designed cover. The depiction of a man standing onstage facing bright lights and flashing cameras while a huge wedding ring binds a sad-looking woman to his back is a great illustration of what I found between the covers. Anne Michaud, the author of this book, has extensive experience in political journalism, and it shows. This book is written with unbiased facts and precision that you would expect from such an author.
Michaud examines the dynamics of politically powerful couples where the husband is unfaithful in some way or another, and the wife chooses to stay. Some of the wives stay for the rest of their lives; others stay for a number of years before divorcing. Either way, the wives do not react with immediate anger and separation as we think they ought to. The author takes a close look at the lives and backgrounds of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, John and Jackie Kennedy, Marion Stein and Jeremy Thorpe, Bill and Hillary Clinton, David and Wendy Vitter, Eliot Spitzer and Silda Wall, Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin, and Donald and Melania Trump. Why do these women stay when their husbands are cheating, hiring prostitutes, and carrying on behind their backs?
Michaud examines each woman on a scale she calls the “White Queen Quotient.” As explained in the introduction, the “White Queen Quotient” is named for Elizabeth Woodville, a woman who came to be known as the White Queen in fifteenth-century England. The five categories of the quotient are 1) how much the woman cares for her family’s emotional wellbeing, 2) how well she follows patriarchal norms, 3) how large her desire is to pass on a legacy, 4) how great her desire is for emotional and financial security, and 5) how big her sense of patriotism or political fervor is. Michaud rates each of these women on her scale from 1 to 10.
Michaud also does an incredible job of researching the background of each person before they were known as political figures. She examines family dynamics, parental relationships, childhoods, and familial beliefs for clues to explain the worldview and mindset of each character. This is a book perfect for anyone who enjoys political journalism and recent history.
I have no critiques to offer on this book, so I am awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. This is a professionally written and edited book with very few mistakes. I enjoyed the precise, informative style of this author. Michaud does a good job of mixing historical facts with fascinating anecdotes to weave an engaging read.
Ever wonder why some wives stayed with their philandering politician husbands? Anne Michaud has written this book to enlighten us on the matter.
******
Why They Stay
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The first thing I noticed as I set out to read Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Eight Political Wives was the brilliantly designed cover. The depiction of a man standing onstage facing bright lights and flashing cameras while a huge wedding ring binds a sad-looking woman to his back is a great illustration of what I found between the covers. Anne Michaud, the author of this book, has extensive experience in political journalism, and it shows. This book is written with unbiased facts and precision that you would expect from such an author.
Michaud examines the dynamics of politically powerful couples where the husband is unfaithful in some way or another, and the wife chooses to stay. Some of the wives stay for the rest of their lives; others stay for a number of years before divorcing. Either way, the wives do not react with immediate anger and separation as we think they ought to. The author takes a close look at the lives and backgrounds of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, John and Jackie Kennedy, Marion Stein and Jeremy Thorpe, Bill and Hillary Clinton, David and Wendy Vitter, Eliot Spitzer and Silda Wall, Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin, and Donald and Melania Trump. Why do these women stay when their husbands are cheating, hiring prostitutes, and carrying on behind their backs?
Michaud examines each woman on a scale she calls the “White Queen Quotient.” As explained in the introduction, the “White Queen Quotient” is named for Elizabeth Woodville, a woman who came to be known as the White Queen in fifteenth-century England. The five categories of the quotient are 1) how much the woman cares for her family’s emotional wellbeing, 2) how well she follows patriarchal norms, 3) how large her desire is to pass on a legacy, 4) how great her desire is for emotional and financial security, and 5) how big her sense of patriotism or political fervor is. Michaud rates each of these women on her scale from 1 to 10.
Michaud also does an incredible job of researching the background of each person before they were known as political figures. She examines family dynamics, parental relationships, childhoods, and familial beliefs for clues to explain the worldview and mindset of each character. This is a book perfect for anyone who enjoys political journalism and recent history.
I have no critiques to offer on this book, so I am awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. This is a professionally written and edited book with very few mistakes. I enjoyed the precise, informative style of this author. Michaud does a good job of mixing historical facts with fascinating anecdotes to weave an engaging read.
Ever wonder why some wives stayed with their philandering politician husbands? Anne Michaud has written this book to enlighten us on the matter.
******
Why They Stay
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Why They Stay by Anne Michaud
