ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
My mother, who grew up in the Depression, idealized FDR. She instilled that in me as well. FDR could do no wrong. He ended the Depression, he lead the US through WWII. Praise, Praise, Praise.
But, she never talked about Eleanor Roosevelt.
I knew about Eleanor, for her work after FDR died, her work with the UN, but this book is following her work for Civil Rights, which I was unaware of. The author uses a lot of background information, siting sources through out, from her autobiography, to her columns, from other books about her, to letters written to her and from her.
Very easy to read. A good introduction to an amazing woman, and the work she did pushing for civil rights, including integrating the army during World War II.
Oddly, even though FDR's affair is touched on, nothing is said about the relationship Eleanor had with her press secretary. It is sort of how biographies talked about Tove Jansson, without mentioning her wife.
And one other problem I had with this book, which is a minor one, is that it says that World War II began with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as though the rest of the world was playing tiddly sticks the rest of the time.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
But, she never talked about Eleanor Roosevelt.
I knew about Eleanor, for her work after FDR died, her work with the UN, but this book is following her work for Civil Rights, which I was unaware of. The author uses a lot of background information, siting sources through out, from her autobiography, to her columns, from other books about her, to letters written to her and from her.
Very easy to read. A good introduction to an amazing woman, and the work she did pushing for civil rights, including integrating the army during World War II.
Oddly, even though FDR's affair is touched on, nothing is said about the relationship Eleanor had with her press secretary. It is sort of how biographies talked about Tove Jansson, without mentioning her wife.
And one other problem I had with this book, which is a minor one, is that it says that World War II began with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as though the rest of the world was playing tiddly sticks the rest of the time.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
tschmitty's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent juvenile biography of one of our finest first ladies. Eleanor started life as a shy young girl but became an advocate for civil rights and she found her voice and in turn her place in history.
bradleygiselle's review against another edition
4.0
This book felt 3 times longer than it actually was.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
Very readable.
I appreciated the nuance taken with Eleanor Roosevelt’s approach to racism and antisemitism. The author largely avoided making Eleanor into a flawless heroine and tried to frankly address her flaws and hiccups.
Missing: any mention of Eleanor’s extramarital relationships.
Unfortunate resonance for today, including references to racially integrating the military (echoing current comments about women, gay and transgender people) and the reluctance to accept sufficient refugees ahead of the violence in Europe (the comment about Nazi spies potentially posing as refugees nearly made me spit). It seems as though if history doesn’t exactly repeat itself, event for event, we are incapable of heeding its warnings. An echo here, a similarity there, is never enough for folks to sit up and take notice.
I appreciated the nuance taken with Eleanor Roosevelt’s approach to racism and antisemitism. The author largely avoided making Eleanor into a flawless heroine and tried to frankly address her flaws and hiccups.
Missing: any mention of Eleanor’s extramarital relationships.
Unfortunate resonance for today, including references to racially integrating the military (echoing current comments about women, gay and transgender people) and the reluctance to accept sufficient refugees ahead of the violence in Europe (the comment about Nazi spies potentially posing as refugees nearly made me spit). It seems as though if history doesn’t exactly repeat itself, event for event, we are incapable of heeding its warnings. An echo here, a similarity there, is never enough for folks to sit up and take notice.
rhodesgiselle's review against another edition
4.0
This book felt 3 times longer than it actually was.
amdame1's review
4.0
Eleanor Roosevelt was a world changer. She influenced her husband (3 time president Franklin Delano Roosevelt) and worked tirelessly for social reform in many areas. I think the thing that impressed me most about her was her grace in realizing her lack in certain areas and how she addressed them deliberately and persistently. She was in the trenches first hand, she did not just stand back and let others do the work. She tackled poverty, racism, civil rights, housing, safety... She was strong despite an unfaithful husband and a critical public. I also love her statement "It never hurts to be kind". Final copy includes: timeline, comprehensive notes, bibliography w/ books and websites, author's note, index.
lilyofthevalley_reads's review
4.0
This book was rich and extensive, but yet simple biography for beginners of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. I wanted to read more about her after reading [b:Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking|8520610|Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking|Susan Cain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328562861l/8520610._SY75_.jpg|13387396], where part of a chapter was about the quiet, “soft” power behind her husband, FDR, the President of the United States during the Great Depression to WWII. I liked the linear timeline format since I was unfamiliar with her entire background, and I found the format conducive to that goal. After the basic biographical details of her life were explained (i.e. birth, growing up, marriage, children, etc), they get into the more interesting parts of her life, which was her work with social justice and the civil rights movements throughout her journey as First Lady and after her husband had passed away. My only problem was that I wish there was more information about her time working as a delegate for the newly formed United Nations, as well as her time working with JFK. I definitely learned a lot from this book and this has spurred me on to more books about her.
librarianelizabeth's review
4.0
I had the general outlines about Eleanor Roosevelt and her place in historical events. This helped give me details and more context. I’m also left thinking about the New Deal, politics and racism and past and present and activism. A lot needs to change. But reading this left me mostly optimistic. Maybe.
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