"The first biography of arguably the most influential member of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration, Marguerite 'Missy' LeHand, FDR's de facto chief of staff, who has been misrepresented, mischaracterized, and overlooked throughout history ... until now"--

"Marguerite 'Missy' LeHand was the private secretary and right-hand woman of Franklin Delano Roosevelt for more than twenty years, serving as de facto chief of staff in the White House--a position never held by a woman before or since. From her perch at Roosevelt's side, she offered him counsel on Supreme Court and cabinet appointments--and on events as momentous as the unfolding war in Europe (and as minor as whom to invite for dinner in the evenings). Many would argue that LeHand's power and influence in his administration were unparalleled, even by her close friend and champion, Eleanor Roosevelt. Everyone in the White House knew one truth: If you wanted access to Franklin, you had to go through Missy. She was one of his most trusted advisors and lived on the third floor of the White House, where she was on call 24/7--affording her a unique perspective on the president that no one else could claim. With unprecedented access to Missy's family and original source materials, and presenting never-before-published photos of Missy and FDR's inner circle, journalist Kathryn Smith tells the captivating story of the intelligent, loyal, and clever woman who had a front-row seat to history in the making. The Gatekeeper is a thoughtful, revealing story about a woman ahead of her time, about the true weight of her responsibility, and the tumultuous era in which she lived-and a long overdue tribute to one of the most important female figures in American history."--Dust jacket.

"Journalist Smith (A Necessary War) grants readers an unusual insider's view of F.D.R.'s political career by profiling his longtime private secretary. Marguerite 'Missy' LeHand, a young woman with a modest background, an agile intellect, a pleasant personality, and remarkable stenographer's skills, began working for F.D.R. in 1920, when he ran for vice president. Smith writes particularly well about F.D.R.'s struggle to bounce back from being struck with polio in 1921, explaining the disease and the origins of the Warm Springs, Ga., health spa that he frequented. LeHand was F.D.R.'s most constant companion during the 1920s, sparking rumors-- convincingly dismissed by Smith-- that they were lovers. The real core of the story is the White House years from 1933 until 1942, when LeHand helped create the vast New Deal bureaucracy. She decided who would see the president and when; today her title would be chief of staff. LeHand worked long hours but took time to enjoy the perks of the job, including a barrage of social invitations and fawning press coverage. Though Smith overstates her claim about LeHand's importance to F.D.R. and his work as president, she delivers a fascinating account of one woman's involvement in an important administration"--