"In First Ladies and the Fourth Estate, Lisa Burns analyzes the coverage of presidents' wives in five leading newspapers and magazines - The New York Times, The Washington Post, Ladies' Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, and McCall's - to prove that the press has helped shape the first lady institution as well as influence the changing social and political roles for American women. By examining press portrayals of 20th century first ladies, Burns highlights the intersection of gender, publicity, and power at particular historical moments. Through the years, journalists have used both the gender ideals of the time and the collective memories of previous first ladies to assess the performance of the president's wife." "The interdisciplinary approach of this study reveals the significance of the first lady institution not only to women's history and gender studies but also to the study of U.S. history, the American presidency, political communication, rhetorical criticism, and media history."--Jacket.