Eleanor

I encountered this book during a Facing History interview with David Michaelis two months ago. I encountered the Eleanor Roosevelt I admired but never before knew so well in this most intimate and telling biography that spanned not only her life but her world, her hopes, fears, loves and lovers, accomplishments, contributions, and her unstoppable commitment to a world that works. Kudos to David Michaelis and his tenacity to uncover, explore, and develop this wonderful portrait from the many treasured sources for this fine book. Michaelis lifts the shade on our knowledge and understanding of Eleanor’s early years and the upbringing that started her off on a trajectory that she defied, reshaped and reformed into the legacy I have long admired. I am moved, touched and inspired by the history revealed in Eleanor: A Life. Five stars is not enough.

Bought this for my book club reading and found it to be fascinating. There was so much more to this woman than I ever knew and I ended up admiring her. It’s long but worth it.

David Michaelis gives the world a deeply compelling--and timely--look at a unique figure in American political--and humanitarian--history. The story of Eleanor's amazing life, in the author's deft hands, reveals how difficult it was for even this child of the very uppermost strata in American society (Teddy Roosevelt was her uncle) to emerge as an independent woman, not a mere wife. Do not be daunted by this book's length, as its 548 pages fly by, given both the unbelievably rich life ER led and Michaelis's skill in making this a highly personal account of her unending life of both public accomplishment and personal emotional turmoil. The word "indefatigable" was never more accurately applied than to this human dynamo; during the first five years of FDR's presidency, she drove over 150,000 miles (!) to see just how America was suffering during the Great Depression--mostly at the wheel herself and with only a Smith & Wesson .22 as protection. In 1935, she began writing her syndicated column "My Day"--producing about 600 words a day, six days a week, for nearly all of the remaining years right up until her death. The author carefully avoids plowing the well-worn ground of FDR's political history, focusing on ER as a woman who overcame the the strictures of her time. She died in 1962, just before the term "feminist" came into vogue. But this biography shows how Eleanor was a true path breaker in a world relatively hostile to any signs of real independence in a woman, especially the wife of a beloved public figure. The story of both her emergence as her own public figure and her struggles to access an inner emotional life separate from her husband unfolds briskly in the author's hands. Michaelis presents her romantic and indeed physical attachments to several women with a rare combination of candor and discretion. Perhaps the most revealing story told here, unknown to even many Roosevelt scholars, was her late-in-life passionate love for a Jewish Holocaust refugee doctor fifteen years her junior. While he showed her great affection and admiration for the last 16 years of ER's life, the love itself was sadly unrequited. But the doctor remained her constant companion during the last splendid chapter of ER's life, when her foundational work with the UN's Human Rights Commission gave her worldwide recognition and indeed adulation as a true humanitarian. This book may be the life of someone who was born in the late 19th Century and died nearly 60 years ago. But the chaotic times we as Americans are experiencing today makes this a beautiful reminder of what our country once was--and can become again--utterly timely. If one doubts this, may I offer one quotation from Page 439 of "Eleanor": "The idea of superiority of one race over another must not continue within our own country, nor must it grow up in our dealings with the rest of the world." Thank you, Mr. Michaelis, for restoring Eleanor Roosevelt to her deserved high place in the affections of those generations born too late to experience her warmth directly.

I enjoyed Michaelis' writing style, and he may have captured Eleanor's warm spirit and sense of purpose. A small criticism is that with some of her relationships, I ended up wanting to know more. He introduces 'Hick' (Lorena Hickok), a big love of Eleanor's, but she just sort of disappears during the trajectory of the story, and I don't know what happened to her and if their paths parted ways. Likewise, there's no resolution with Nancy Cook or Marion Dickerman. The Val-Kill furniture enterprise is described, but that part of the story just drifts away (although we know Eleanor ends up there eventually). I'm guessing it was not the author's purpose to tie up every loose end, and there are many rich insights into the human, Eleanor R., not the wife, mother, activist or politician. I think that this book will be a valuable addition to other books on this wonderful woman of substance. Michaelis does justice to Eleanor in making clear just how much this country owes to her. My personal opinion is that Eleanor exceeds Franklin, but we were so lucky to have both of them, when they were sorely needed.

This remarkable person dug the best out of herself. David Michaelis chronicles Miss Eleanor's life with engaging insights. Our author allows we readers a glimpse into one of the more complicated marital relationships in White House history. He then provides a peak into the amazing accomplishments post White House. When you read this book, have your hi-liter and pen ready. You'll be pleased with the sentences you'll want to remember and at the annotations you'll make. In conclusion, we learn that Eleanor was not perfect. Our author exposes her frailties and weaknesses as the foundation of her amazing character.

The book arrived on time and in EXCELLENT condition! It was even shrink-wrapped in plastic so it has no bent edges (unusual lately). I haven't started to read it yet, so can't review the book itself, but the seller deserves every one of the 5 stars!!

Leider sind beide Bücher ziemlich beschädigt angekommen. Als Weihnachtsgeschenk eine Entäuschung weiterzugeben. Schade.

Loving this book. Incredible First Lady whose life is captured in an easy to read biography.