Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation

Legendary journalist Cokie Roberts' New York Times bestseller, "Founding Mothers," provides an intimate and illuminating look at the fervently patriotic and passionate women whose tireless pursuits on behalf of their families and their country proved just as crucial to the forging of a new nation as the rebellion that established it. While much has been written about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution, the wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters they left behind have been little noticed by history. The late #1 New York Times bestselling author Cokie Roberts brings us the stories of the women who fought the Revolution as valiantly as the men, often defending their very doorsteps.

Drawing upon personal correspondence, private journals, and even favored recipes, Roberts reveals the often surprising stories of these fascinating women, bringing to life the everyday trials and extraordinary triumphs of individuals like Abigail Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Deborah Read Franklin, Eliza Pinckney, Catherine Littlefield Green, Esther DeBerdt Reed, and Martha Washington. By doing so, she proves that without these exemplary women, the new country might have never survived.

The women featured in "Founding Mothers" were not just passive observers of the momentous events unfolding around them. Instead, they were active participants in the fight for independence, contributing in their own unique ways to the success of the revolutionary cause. Abigail Adams, for example, was a prolific letter writer who kept her husband, John Adams, informed of the sentiments and concerns of the people back home. Her letters provided crucial insights that influenced his decisions as a leader of the Revolution.

Mercy Otis Warren, a prominent playwright and political commentator, used her writing to rally support for the patriotic cause and criticize the British rule. Deborah Read Franklin, the wife of the legendary Benjamin Franklin, managed the family's printing business and finances while her husband was away, ensuring the continued success of their enterprise.

Eliza Pinckney, a plantation owner in South Carolina, not only ran her family's business but also played a vital role in the colony's economic and political affairs. Catherine Littlefield Green, the wife of General Nathanael Greene, was a skilled nurse who tended to wounded soldiers and provided much-needed comfort and care during the war.

Esther DeBerdt Reed, a young Philadelphian, organized a women's patriotic organization that raised funds to support the Continental Army, demonstrating the crucial role that women played in sustaining the war effort. And Martha Washington, the wife of the first U.S. president, was a constant source of strength and support for her husband, joining him in the field during the war and ensuring the smooth running of their household and estate.

Through the stories of these remarkable women, Cokie Roberts sheds light on the often overlooked contributions of the "Founding Mothers" to the birth of the United States. Her book serves as a powerful reminder that the history of the American Revolution is not complete without acknowledging the vital role played by the women who supported, inspired, and sacrificed for the cause of independence.

product information: