Frances Perkins may not be a household name, but after reading BECOMING MADAM SECRETARY, by Stephanie Dray, I feel she should be. This work of historical fiction is based on her life and what a life it was. She devoted herself to public service, often at great personal costs. Readers follow her as she tackles poverty and the horrid working conditions in New York City from the 1900s forward. Her reputation and the friends she made eventually made her a public figure, but she never actively sought a political life. Then she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the unlikely pair formed a relationship that changed this country.   Brilliantly presented is the face and character of an exemplary public servant. If there was ever a role model, it is Frances Perkins. She married a man she loved deeply and respected, but her love was not enough to stave off his illness  She often had to make impossible choices and overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.   While there is much that is noteworthy about this novel, what I found especially fascinating is the author's attention to detail. She brings to life a large cast of believable characters.  Impeccably researched and eloquently told, BECOMING MADAM SECRETARY is well worth reading. Highly recommended.