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The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington’s Most Famous
US $12.74
ApproximatelyRM 53.90
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Was US $16.99 (25% off)
Condition:
Brand New
A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages.
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Free local pickup from San Tan Valley, Arizona, United States.
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US $5.00 (approx RM 21.16) USPS Media MailTM.
Located in: San Tan Valley, Arizona, United States
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Estimated between Sat, 6 Sep and Wed, 10 Sep to 94104
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eBay item number:357483322942
Item specifics
- Condition
- Brand New: A new, unread, unused book in perfect condition with no missing or damaged pages. See all condition definitionsopens in a new window or tab
- Release Year
- 2025
- ISBN
- 9781538751244
About this product
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Grand Central Publishing
ISBN-10
1538751240
ISBN-13
9781538751244
eBay Product ID (ePID)
19064888654
Product Key Features
Book Title
Woman Who Knew Everyone : the Power of Perle Mesta, Washington's Most Famous Hostess
Number of Pages
496 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2025
Topic
Women, Rich & Famous, Political, United States / General
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Biography & Autobiography, History
Format
Hardcover
Dimensions
Item Height
1.6 in
Item Weight
26.5 Oz
Item Length
9.3 in
Item Width
6.4 in
Additional Product Features
Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2024-025109
Dewey Edition
23
TitleLeading
The
Reviews
"Meryl Gordon's sympathetic and involving new biography, The Woman Who Knew Everyone , rescues Mesta from near-obscurity and does her distinctive life justice...readers are likely to find Mesta as endearing as her many party guests did."-- Washington Post, "Mesta's larger-than-life persona shines in journalist Gordon's deeply sourced narrative."-- Booklist, "Gordon's thoroughly researched account showcases how Mesta wielded social power as political power, resulting in a finely observed character study...It's a reverent ode to an overlooked fixture of midcentury American politics."-- Publishers Weekly, "Meryl Gordon's deeply researched and consistently entertaining biography is a happy reminder that history is made not only by political leaders but by people like Perle Mesta, the tough and determined "hostess with the mostess." In mid-century America, Mesta carved a memorable path through the rivalrous social life of a city where a lost invitation feels like a wound and the right sort of guestlist is a celebration of the tribe." -- Jeffrey Frank, author of The Trials of Harry S. Truman and Ike and Dick, "In mid-twentieth-century America, wealthy widow Perle Mesta was a household name - renowned as a savvy hostess, a diplomat, a confidant of presidents, an activist for feminist causes. Meryl Gordon has written a fascinating book weaving Mesta's improbable life with the Washington whose society she shaped. I loved every minute of this trip back in time."-- Karen Tumulty, associate editor for the Washington Post and author of The Triumph of Nancy Reagan, "Meryl Gordon has painted an absorbing and illuminating portrait of a lost world--one in which Perle Mesta helped shape the public life of the nation through hospitality, friendship, and genuine human relations. It was not a perfect universe, but there is much for us to learn from this story in our own divided time."-- Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize winning biographer, "Meryl Gordon has done it again with another superb portrait of a wealthy society matron whose private life was vastly more complicated than her public profile. What adds special zest to her biography of Perle Mesta is that this Washington doyenne was born an outsider from Oklahoma--rather than a child of the WASP aristocracy. Mesta was brash, politically cunning, and passionate about women's rights, even as she relished her role as a "hostess." Gordon brings alive a lost world of Washington with her trademark deep reporting and vivid detail." -- David Ignatius, columnist at The Washington Post and bestselling author, "Meryl Gordon's "The Woman Who Knew Everyone" is a masterful telling of the wily, brilliant Perle Mesta, a wealthy hostess and keen political observer who was as comfortable throwing wild, all-night parties as she was whipping party votes. Gordon's lively narrative depicts Mesta's singular determination to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and lays bare how drawing rooms were often as powerful as backrooms. In another era, Mesta might have become the U.S. President, rather than befriended them." -- Julie Satow, New York Times bestselling author of "When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion", "So famous they based a hit Broadway musical on her - Perle Mesta lived life out loud, and what a life it was. Meryl Gordon captures this smart, pushy, determined, unsinkable character - a girl from Oklahoma who became a friend to presidents and one of the most influential women in Washington."-- Susan Page, Washington Bureau chief of USA TODAY and NYT bestselling author of The Rulebreaker, "Perle Mesta lived in the spirit of "mostest," pouring herself into everything she did with zest, determination, and humor. Gordon's book is an easy read through her life, a tribute to the Perle we remember and a revelation of the one we never knew."-- Airmail
Dewey Decimal
973.9092
Synopsis
A TOWN & COUNTRY MUST READ BOOK OF 2025 AN AMAZON BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH - BIOGRAPHIES & MEMOIR A deeply researched biography of the socialite, political hostess, activist and United States envoy to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta, from New York Times bestselling author Meryl Gordon. Perle Mesta was a force to be reckoned with. In her heyday, this wealthy globe-trotting Washington widow was one of the most famous women in America, garnering as much media attention as Eleanor Roosevelt. Renowned for her world-class parties featuring politicians and celebrities, she was very close to three presidents-Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson. Truman named her as the first female envoy to Luxembourg, which inspired the hit musical based on Perle's life - "Call Me Madam" - which starred Ethel Merman, ran on Broadway for two years and later became a movie. A pioneering supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment, she was a prodigious Democratic fundraiser and rescued Harry Truman's financially flailing 1948 campaign. In this intensely researched biography, author Meryl Gordon chronicles Perle's lavish life and society adventures in Newport, Manhattan and Washington, while highlighting her important, but nearly forgotten contribution to American politics and the feminist movement.
LC Classification Number
E840.8.4.M574G67
Item description from the seller
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- e***m (467)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseVery pleasant transaction. Item as described, fast ship, highly recommend this seller!
- d***b (19)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseQuick shipping and arrival. Items came in great conditioned and sealed looking brand new. Pricy, but worth it because you can’t find these items or formulated chap sticks in America.
- r***c (3)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseItem didn’t even work, false description beware and careful when buyingReply from: jasum-64- Feedback replied by seller jasum-64.- Feedback replied by seller jasum-64.This was actually my personal Camcorder. Had it charged and it was work great prior to shipping. I can only assume it was damaged during shipping or I wouldn't have sold it broken and I would have disclosed or not sold if I knew it was damaged. I offered full refund as soon as I was notified by buyer without hesitation. Buyer is Shipping back for full refund.
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Seller feedback (627)
- e***m (467)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseVery pleasant transaction. Item as described, fast ship, highly recommend this seller!
- d***b (19)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseQuick shipping and arrival. Items came in great conditioned and sealed looking brand new. Pricy, but worth it because you can’t find these items or formulated chap sticks in America.
- r***c (3)- Feedback left by buyer.Past monthVerified purchaseItem didn’t even work, false description beware and careful when buyingReply from: jasum-64- Feedback replied by seller jasum-64.- Feedback replied by seller jasum-64.This was actually my personal Camcorder. Had it charged and it was work great prior to shipping. I can only assume it was damaged during shipping or I wouldn't have sold it broken and I would have disclosed or not sold if I knew it was damaged. I offered full refund as soon as I was notified by buyer without hesitation. Buyer is Shipping back for full refund.