Enter to win a free 'Why They Stay' audiobook
Win an audiobook version of Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives. Narrated by Sara Morsey and just released this month. Scroll down to enter.
I'm so gratified by the reception this book has received: many invitations for book signings, well-attended events, and five stars from reviewers as well as readers.
In order to spread the word, I'm giving away a free audiobook, narrated by actor Sara Morsey, which was just released this month. Enter to win by scrolling down to the bottom of the home page/blog page.
Feel free to share this offer with anyone you think would be interested in women's issues, politics, and the case studies of the nine couples profiled in Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives.
East Hampton events guide
Why They Stay
Debut author Anne Michaud will have an author talk and signing of her nonfiction book Why They Stay: Sex, Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives. As an award-winning political reporter, Michaud covered the men in public service for many years, and now wants to focus on the women who had their backs through thick and thin. Stop by the East Hampton Library on Saturday at 2 PM to talk one-on-one with the author.
Author events on Long Island
Saturday, Aug. 19
Newsday editor and columnist Anne Michaud talks about and signs copies of "Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives." Register in advance. At 2 p.m., East Hampton Library, 159 Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-0222 , easthamptonlibrary.org
Readers' Favorite: Five-star review for 'Why They Stay'
"The author takes readers on a ride through the lives of some of the political couples in this well-researched and masterfully articulated work to unveil the surprising reasons why these women chose to stay.... Her observations are sharp and compelling."
Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite
Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives by Anne Michaud is a nonfiction book that explores one of the questions that have baffled many American citizens and political enthusiasts: Why do the wives of politicians decide to stay in the marriage in spite of reported scandals, shady deals, and their husbands' sometimes wanton cheating? The author takes readers on a ride through the lives of some of the political couples in this well-researched and masterfully articulated work to unveil the surprising reasons why these women chose to stay. Among other things, she talks about submission to tradition, a personal sense of patriotism, a deep sense of the emotional health and well-being of the family, and the drive to build a legacy as some of the strong reasons political wives in a shaky relationship choose to stay.
Anne Michaud has masterfully profiled nine political wives whose husbands have cheated and who chose to stay in the marriage, featuring Eleanor and FDR, Jackie and JFK, Valerie Hobson and Jack Profumo, Hillary and Bill Clinton and many others. The author unveils secrets that are not so accessible to the public, exploring the psychology of women married to cheating politicians, and what it costs and means to them to stay. No one could have written this book better than Anne Michaud, a columnist who has covered politicians for decades. Her observations are sharp and compelling and her prose shines with her unique signature for phraseology, crispness, and excellent diction. Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives is a very informative, engaging, and entertaining work.
Click here to read this review online.
Feisty audience turns out in Cambridge, Mass.
At Porter Square Books on the evening of Monday, Aug. 7, more than 40 people showed up to discuss Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives.
Author Anne Michaud spoke for about 25 minutes and then took questions from the audience for another 40 minutes. Questions ranged from:
--Are the ex-wives of politicians out for revenge? to
--Why does Chelsea Clinton seem so well-adjusted? to
--What do we tell our daughters about relationships?
The "fiercely independent" Porter Square Books lived up to its slogan in providing a stimulating crowd and discussion.
Journalist Anne Michaud on Politicians' Wives
Porter Square hosts ANNE MICHAUD, a veteran political journalist who has won over 25 reporting and writing awards. MICHAUD reads her nonfiction book Why They Stay, and she offers a possible explanation for the wives of politicians who remain when their spouse is disloyal.
After covering politicians for decades, acclaimed columnist MICHAUD switched her gaze to the women behind the cheating men. Drawing from multiple sources that span the Roosevelts’ marriage to the more recent scandal involving Hillary Clinton’s closest aide Huma Abedin (wife of sexter Anthony Weiner), Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives argues that when it comes to the “power behind the throne,” women in the limelight weigh the risks and rewards. They remain loyal to their men, because of complex, often unconscious forces.
This event is not ticketed.
Why They Stay is currently being sold at Porter Square Books.
If you cannot attend the event, you can still get a signed copy by purchasing the book online and mentioning in the comments section at checkout that you want it signed (or personalized). This must be completed at least 24 hours prior to the event.
Greater Boston author readings
Anne Michaud ("Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and the Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives") reads at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books.
Selection of August’s Top Books from Independent Publishers
Biographies & Memoirs:
Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives by Anne Michaud (ISBN: 978-0997663310)
Selection of August’s Top Books from Independent Publishers
Biographies & Memoirs:
Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives by Anne Michaud (ISBN: 978-0997663310)
Video: 'Why They Stay' presentation at authors lunch
"Perhaps this sort of marriage, at the top echelons of Washington and international society, was made from different rules than I had agreed to when I married. Fidelity, honesty—perhaps these were quaint ideas better suited to less ambitious people."
Anne speaks about her book Why They Stay to an audience of nearly 200 people gathered on Long Island for the first annual Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library author's luncheon.
Lively crowd questions whether 'Good Wife' is extinct
Several audience members said they would be surprised to see a betrayed "Good Wife" stand up for her husband in public in the future.
A reading and signing of Why They Stay drew a crowd of 45 people on a thunderous Tuesday evening of July 11.
The well-informed crowd seemed to believe that our culture is moving away from questions about a politician's fidelity in marriage. Several said they would be surprised to see a betrayed "Good Wife" stand up for her husband in public in the future.
They cited President Donald Trump's ascendancy -- a man who's been married three times and hasn't denied cheating on his wives. The audience also raised the point that women are running for political office vigorously now. They're taking the driver's seat.
Is it wishful thinking that we're putting this in the past: our politics of the betrayed wife putting on an ashen face to save her husband's political chances? Time will tell.
2 Outstanding Women Authors Speak at 1st Annual Luncheon
New York Times books editor Pamela Paul, right, and Anne Michaud are guest speakers at the Author Luncheon of the Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library June 22, 2017.
New York Times books editor Pamela Paul, right, and Anne Michaud are guest speakers at the Author Luncheon of the Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. The event was held June 22, 2017, at the Lawrence (NY) Yacht & Country Club.
Meet, Greet and Hear Them Speak
Promotional poster for June 22 event by the Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere (NY) Public Library
Promotional poster for June 22 event by the Friends of the Hewlett-Woodmere (NY) Public Library
"Four stars ... politics from a fresh angle" -- Indie Reader
WHY THEY STAY offers a slightly cynical yet deeply affecting take on nine powerful relationships, examining philandering husbands and the fallout from their actions in largely US politics.
Very little perks up public interest in politics faster than a sex scandal. Anne Michaud’s book WHY THEY STAY: SEX SCANDALS, DEALS AND THE HIDDEN AGENDAS OF NINE POLITICAL WIVES deals in the women scorned, and why, in each of these cases, they stuck to their powerful partners.
Synopsis: Politics from a fresh angle, WHY THEY STAY offers a slightly cynical yet deeply affecting take on nine powerful relationships, examining philandering husbands and the fallout from their actions in largely US politics.
Read the full review below, or click here.
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Have you ever wondered why Hillary Clinton stuck around after Bill’s infamous cigar incident? Or why Jackie Kennedy put up with JFK? Perhaps you’ve never even heard of former Israeli leader Moshe Katsav, but why has his wife stood by him through rape convictions? It’s amazing how often the upper echelons of politics have mixed power and sex, and how often the powerful have strayed from their loyal partners, only to see the marriage limp on.
Columnist Anne Michaud has watched these personal dramas unfold, and while her book deals in the facts of each scenario, there’s no doubt there’s also an element of well-informed speculation on offer alongside her analysis of each character and the darker moments of their lives.
Take Hillary, the most topical, for example. Like each of her contemporaries in this particular powerful emotional wasteland, she’s analysed by a number of traits, from how traditional she is, to her patriotism, need for security, and personal ambition. In Hillary’s case, Michaud identifies the ultimate combo, essentially saying the recent Democratic candidate for President resigned herself to accepting Bill’s well-publicized womanizing, but ironically, eventually paid for it when unable to attack Donald Trump for similar behavior in 2016. Oddly, many of Clinton’s other life choices, as examined in detail here, are distinctly feminist in nature. Michaud explores each of these (almost invariably pretty dysfunctional) relationships in a similar way.
Marion Stein’s ten-year refusal to end her marriage with George Lascelles (despite his repeated requests for a divorce and openly flaunted affair, which included a child with his lover), and its subsequent impact on her marriage to British liberal politician Jeremy Thorpe is one particularly memorable example. Stein later stuck with Thorpe throughout an ongoing saga around a gay relationship that took place before homosexuality was legalized in the UK, with Thorpe eventually pushed to resign due to the scandal.
Another deeply affecting chapter examines Gila Katsav, and her husband Moshe Katsav, a former Israeli Prime Minister who was released from a seven year prison sentence for rape only last year. Gila stuck by him, with Michaud citing - amongst other things - patriarchal traditions that have led to a lot of Israeli men, according to the author’s stats, not seeing forcing sex on an acquaintance as rape.
There’s plenty of pretty horrifying stuff in here, then, with the lesser-known (in America) cases seemingly included for what’s almost invariably a greater shock value. It’s well researched, thoroughly cited, and put together with a notable tinge of darkness to it.
WHY THEY STAY is definitely not a flippant read, then, but a memorable one, and one from which few of the characters at the heart of the stories come out particularly well. You’ll find scandal, shock and a deep sense of discomfort at times, and many will not like the pretext, but the question is a valid one. Why did they stay? The reasons vary, naturally, but this tells the real-life tales, and gives a sense of how each scenario came to be.
Book launch event
Nearly 60 people attended the launch of Why They Stay on April 11 at Book Revue, one of New York's foremost independent bookstores. Anne spoke about what may lie ahead for political couples attempting to navigate the constricting rules of public life. Check out the Q&A here.
Nearly 60 people attended the launch of Why They Stay on April 11 at Book Revue in Huntington, New York, one of the nation's largest and busiest independent bookstores. Anne spoke about what may lie ahead for political couples attempting to navigate the constricting rules of public life. Check out the Q&A here.
Newsday columnist's book launches
Newsday columnist Anne Michaud talks about and signs copies of "Why They Stay: Sex Scandals, Deals, and Hidden Agendas of Nine Political Wives." At 7 p.m., Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington; 631-271-1442, bookrevue.com
This review is in: "It's about time ... a gripping production."
"It's about time that a book such as Why They Stay should appear to comment on the wives of politicians and why they remain in place despite reports of infidelity and bad behaviors." -- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
By D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review, March 19, 2017
It's about time that a book such as Why They Stay should appear to comment on the wives of politicians and why they remain in place despite reports of infidelity and bad behaviors. Not only does this apply to the highest political offices past and present, but its message and analysis will reach many a marriage where friends may wonder about the reasons why a wife stays in the home after misconduct is uncovered.
This is not to say that the two environments (political and personal) are identical and hold the same commitments and conundrums - far from it. As Why They Stay points out, political pressures and purposes are similar to traditional marriages in some aspects and far different in others. It's a gamble to stay in a situation where one's partner may or may not be exonerated from political charges, for example; and public perception and fallout that falls on a spouse from these actions differs between political figures and personal lives.
The nine political women chosen for close examination in this book range from Eleanor and FDR and Jackie and JFK to Southern belle/Harvard educated Silda Wall's relationship with Eliot Spitzer.
In each case there is a 'White Queen Quotient' assigned, rating each incident and following the scripted behaviors similar to all the political individuals in this book.
Social observation and political and psychological insights blend as the author reconciles her perception of 'why they stayed' ("Perhaps this sort of marriage, at the top echelons of Washington and international society, was made from different rules than I had agreed to when I married. Fidelity, honesty--perhaps these were quaint ideas better suited to less ambitious people. When one had the heights of the free world practically in one's grasp, maybe the bargain at the altar became more pragmatic.") with deeper thoughts about the consequences of behaviors and the political, legal, social and family ramifications of allegations and actions.
It's more than a recap of events, but follows the aftermath of these behaviors on family and associates as well, making Why They Stay a powerful survey of lessons learned, gathered by a columnist who covered politicians for decades and so holds the ideal combination of professional political journalist and inquirer into the kinds of arrangements these women had to grapple with and make in order to survive.