<DIV><br> <b>The <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker</i> Jennifer Chiaverini’s astute and lively novel of the politics of state?set against the backdrop of Civil War Era Washington </b><br> <br> Beautiful, intelligent, regal, and entrancing, young Kate Chase Sprague stepped into the role of establishing her thrice-widowed father, Salmon P. Chase, in Washington society as a Lincoln cabinet member and as a future presidential candidate. For her efforts, <i>The Washington Star</i> declared her ?the most brilliant woman of her day. None outshone her.”<br> None, that is, but Mary Todd Lincoln. Though Mrs. Lincoln and her young rival held much in common?political acumen, love of country, and a resolute determination to help the men they loved achieve greatness?they could never be friends, for the success of one could come only at the expense of the other. <br></div>