Book Description

From the bestselling author of First Ladies, Inside the White House, and America's First Ladies comes the first look at the women of one of the most influential families in American history: The Roosevelts.

The Roosevelt name conjures up images of powerful presidents and dashing men of high society. In The Roosevelt Women, Betty Boyd Caroli finally gives the women of the remarkable Roosevelt clan their due. An exceptionally gifted historian, Caroli weaves together stories culled from a rich store of letters, memoirs, and interviews to chronicle nine extraordinary Roosevelt women across a century and a half of turbulent history.

"Great fun for Roosevelt buffs."-Kirkus Reviews

"An unforgettable family saga of four generations of feisty and fascinating women bound together by courage, love, and duty.…Hats off to Betty Caroli for this magnificent portrait of the women of one of America's most fabled families!"-Mary Matalin, political strategist and co-author of All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President

"A memorable account of a remarkable group of women. Our view of the Roosevelts-and of what constitutes an American dynasty-will never be the same."-H.W. Brands, author of T.R.: The Last Romantic ... Read more

Reviews (14)

This book brings the Roosevelt women alive.
I wasn't expecting to like this book. The Roosevelt women I knew about, like Eleanor, seemed too wealthy and upper class to interest me. However, once I started reading (at a friend's recommendation), I was drawn into each of these Roosevelt women's stories. The history and politics in the book were easy to grasp, and everything that happened in the lives of the women discussed was made vivid and dramatic by the author. I wish I could sit down with her and have a cup of coffee and hear about the parts she left out.

Fascinating
This book really held my attention. While I must admit that I still get a little confused with the Roosevelt family tree, this book gave me just enough information about the Roosevelt women. It's refreshing to read about the women behind the men!

There are other Roosevelts other than Eleanor and Alice
This was a pretty well written biography of the women of the Roosevelt family. It includes TR's mother and sisters and a few others you don't ordinarily read about, such as his second daughter, a niece, his second wife. The author does not go into any great depth for any of these women, but she gives a good overview of the lives of each. Well worth reading.

Wonderful
This book is so good, I can't put it down. It should be on the reading list of every college student doing Women's Studies, as well as regular history courses. Thanks to Book Notes for interviewing this author on C-span, I can continue my education with these wonderfully insightful books.

A thoroughly engrossing read.
Betty Boyd Caroli gives equal and entertaining time to several generations of Roosevelt women who were just as intelligent and strong-minded as their male counterparts (if not more so), even if they didn't have the same career opportunities. This extremely well-written and thoughtful book fills a long-neglected gap in the copious field of Rooseveltiana. Highly recommended to casual readers and historians alike. More compelling as fact than most fiction you'll ever read. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A First Ladies' Pearls
The wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the mother of six children, Eleanor Roosevelt traveled widely, wrote a daily newspaper coloumn, had her own radio show and was an indefatigable worker for a wide range of social causes. It hardly seems credible that it took more than half a century for a book of this type to be written and published. The Wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt is filled with the First Ladies' pithy comments and
and useful advice. From start to finish, it's a rewarding read.

Eleanor shines again in this work
Her insights in a chronological order. Sounds boring, right? Not the case at all. The editor, Don Wigal, has done a masterful job of bringing this woman to life once more (are you listening, Hilary?) in a wonderful and flowing way.

For those who might not remember the era, Don paints a large backdrop for you so that everyone can appreciate the timely, and in many instances timeless, insights and the very, very forward thinking of this woman.

There are any number of books 'out there' that quote others. This one is different because it touches in such a special way. I cannot, for the life of me, imagine anyone who would close this book and not be touched and changed.

How much do I appreciate this work? I have moved from my first copy to nine additional ones to share with others. And now my wife is composing a list of others with whom this needs to be shared.

This is not a novel; these are reflective selections. Reflect and marvel (for some of us once again) at the wisdom of Eleanor.

Eleanor Roosevelt:: In Her Own Words
Whether you're a fan of Eleanor Roosevelt's or not, this fascinating book tells you much aboutthe history of the times as well as the life of this remarkable First Lady who was probably the most important American Woman of the 20th Century. "The Wisdom Of Eleanor Roosevelt" has much to recommend it: it's a moving portrait presented in a completely non-judgemental way, and it is also an major work of research. Easily readable, it offers new insights into Eleanor Roosevelt the person and the political figure.
I would welcome a companion piece on Franklin Delano Roosevlet, and hopeone will soon be available. ... Read more

Book Description

Perhaps the most important woman in 20th century America, Eleanor Roosevelt fascinates scholar and layperson alike. This exciting encyclopedia brings together basic information illuminating her complex career and making the interaction between her private and public lives accessible to scholars, students, and the general public. Written by scholars--including the most eminent Eleanor Roosevelt and New Deal scholars--journalists, and those who knew her, the 200 plus entries in this book provide easy access to material showing how Eleanor Roosevelt changed the First Lady's role in politics, widened opportunities for women, became a liberal leader during the Cold War era, and served as a guiding spirit at the United Nations. A unique resource, the book provides an introduction to American history through the vantage point of a woman who both represented her times and moved beyond them. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It's a good read!
The first thing that should be said about The Eleanor Roosevelt Encyclopedia is that it is a "good read." You can open it anywhere and read fascinating information about Eleanor Roosevelt's life, friends, family, work, and political causes. You can follow the asterisks in the text to related entries, or you can read successive entries, learning serially and serendipitously about Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd, ER's social secretary who became romantically involved with FDR; ER's friend Rose Schneiderman, a Polish immigrant who became one of the most important labor leaders of the twentieth century; the scholarly debate over ER's sexuality; and Alfred Smith, Democratic presidential nominee in 1928. Everyone who was active in the progressive movement is here, as well as political organizations, foreign leaders, and discussions of such topics as television, the anti-lynching movement, birth control, the democratic party, ER's biographers, and the United Nations. Most especially, the amazing fullness of Eleanor Roosevelt's life is here. Small wonder that Hillary Clinton wanted to talk to her when she became first lady.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Encyclopedia is a Winner
Maurine Beasley, Henry R. Beasley, and Holly C. Shulman have produced an outstanding reference work on Eleanor Roosevelt. They have enlisted an array of distinguished authors to write about every aspect of Mrs. Roosevelt's life, and the result is a fascinating collection of essays that range from her impact on the institution of the First Lady to the many social causes that she championed. Well illustrated and comprehensive in its coverage, the book is rewarding for the insights it provides into one of the most important women in American history and is simply an excellent reading experience on its own terms. This is a volume that belongs in every school and public library that wants to provide a lively, reliable, and perceptive introduction to the life and career of the First Lady of the World, as Mrs. Roosevelt was known. Anyone interested in Eleanor Roosevelt will also want to own this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady and Humanitarian, award-winning author Michael A. Schurman covers the eventful life of this political activist and reformer. Never satisfied with the high society lifestyle into which she was born, Roosevelt's compassion and genuine concern for others led her to pursue a more aggressive path than most other First Ladies.

Book Description

In a letter to David Gurewitsch, Eleanor Roosevelt's personal physician and friend during the last fifteen years of her life, Mrs. Roosevelt wrote, "Above all others, you are the one to whom my heart is tied...." This defines the intense relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and David Gurewitsch-- friends who often traveled and entertained together and eventually, after his marriage to Edna Perkel, bought and shared a town house in Manhattan.

Their private friendship, a companionship they both treasured, has always intrigued historians, but not much was known about it. David kept diaries and took thousands of photographs, but he never publicly discussed their time together. Now, for the first time, his wife, Edna, has decided to reveal their story and hers after she married into their complicated relationship. Reading David's diaries and the hundreds of letters that he and Mrs. Roosevelt exchanged over the years, and then reflecting on her own life after the death of her husband, enabled Edna finally to write this story. She sheds new light on Mrs. Roosevelt's very private journey of self-discovery as she gained the confidence and knowledge to follow her own personal and political convictions: visiting Khrushchev at his home in Yalta, working on Adlai Stevenson's campaign, being charmed by the young Senator John Kennedy into giving her support for his presidential candidacy, and above all inspiring the love and respect of people all over the world for her compassion, eloquence, and devotion to humanity.

Given her husband's unique role as doctor and confidant to Mrs. Roosevelt, Edna Gurewitsch draws on his insights and her own as a close friend to offer us a very human and inspiring portrait of this complex woman. Perceived as a strong and deeply caring person, which she was, Mrs. Roosevelt also struggled terribly with loneliness and jealousy and a need to transcend her sometimes overwhelming feelings of inadequacy. Her capacity for friendship was enormous, and Edna Gurewitsch describes what it was like to be on the receiving end of her exceptional thoughtfulness-- the carefully chosen gifts left on doorsteps, the generous notes, and the open conversations she welcomed with a humility that never trumpeted her own virtues or called attention to herself as one of the great minds of the twentieth century.

Kindred Souls is filled with personal and unpublished letters from Mrs. Roosevelt. Sometimes chatty and fact-filled, but more often heartfelt and passionate, these letters reveal her yearnings and vulnerabilities as well as her comings and goings, her personal as well as her global concerns. And yet they are always balanced by her special dignity and probity. The book also includes thirty-two pages of never-before-seen photographs taken by David Gurewitsch. Combined with the author's own memories and observations, Kindred Souls is a unique, intimate look at three friends and their extraordinary lives.
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Reviews (2)

Generous, enlightening & uplifting
This is an astonishingly generous book that gives a different look at the real life of a larger-than-life woman. Mrs. Gurewitsch was (apparantly) completely unthreatened by the strong, deep, and intimate (in the non-sexual sense of the word)relationship between her husband and the redoubtable Mrs. Roosevelt. She limns the outlines of the relationship gently, with great compassion for Mrs. Roosevelt and frank admiration for her many accomplishments. Still, this is not hagiography- Mrs. Gurewitsch tells her story with simplicity and affection, but is still clear eyed about her subjects human foibles.

Through her portrait, and through the extracts of letters to David, it becomes clear that the infamous Lorena Hickok letters must be read in the context of an era (and a woman), in which language was rather more effusive.

Like so many things about Eleanor Roosevelt, the book is a bit bittersweet, but she clearly had made her peace with life, and in the end Mrs. Gurewitsch has repaid Mrs. Roosevelt's trust and friendship. The book is not a comprehensive biography, but you may inspired enough by what you read that you go read one!

A different look at Eleanor Roosevelt
I enjoyed this book. After reading so much "trash" about Mrs. Roosevelt and her friendships, this book is revealing without delving into smutty, unproveable theories. It provided a lot of personal information about Eleanor Roosevelt's last years, public and private, as well as valuable insights about her complex personality. On occasion, the author's somewhat proprietary feelings toward her connection with Mrs. Roosevelt were in evidence, but on the whole, it is a memoir that no one with an interest in Eleanor Roosevelt should miss. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The book to read to find out all about Eleanor Roosevelt
This book is about Eleanor Roosevelt, from the time she was born to when she became the wife of Frankl D. Roosevelt,a U.S. president. Eleanor had a very tough life. her parents and her brother died when she was young, and she whent to live with her aunt,who was also ill. Many nights she could not go to sleep because she missed her family.When Eleanor was nine or ten she was sent to a private school where the girls did not pay any attention to her. Eleanor also had some good times in her life, like being married to the President of the U.S.A., having childeren, and being respected as an important person. She cared about people and became the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission became one of the most important committees in the United Nations. I would recomend this book to people everywhere who like to read biographies. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Even Eleanor Roosevelt was a little girl once. This inspiring Step into Reading/reg/ tells the true story of how a shy little girl was able to conquer her childhood fears and go on to lead a life full of adventure. From flying with Amelia Earhart and hosting her own radio show to becoming First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt did it all and became one of the most admired women in the world.Little girls will relate to and be inspired by Eleanor's experiences in this easy-to-read Step 4 that can be appreciated by kids, parents, and teachers alike. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Well-done!
Another well-done Step into Reading biography by Random House!You get a lot of information ...................! Great addition to any classroom library! ... Read more

Book Description

With a friendly narrative and sprightly illustrations, this dualbiography relates how Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt came together to change thecourse of American history.Their strength of character and devotion to publicservice helped them buoy each other--and the nation--through World War I, FDR'spolio, the Great Depression, World War II, and four presidential terms ofoffice.A family tree, chronology, and bibliography are included. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Award-winning author Cooney presents a well-researched and poignant storybook biography of Eleanor Roosevelt's childhood. The wartime First Lady of the New Deal, who became one of the most beloved Americans for her empathy with the downtrodden, was famously unglamorous and plain in looks, even as a child. Her beautiful and awful mother humiliated the little girl, calling her Granny, "because she is so funny and old-fashioned looking." Orphaned at nine the girl eventually found her way to confidence, helped initially by a boarding-school headmistress. The book mentions only briefly Roosevelt's later achievements, so a parent will have to supply a little context for this tale of an ugly duckling who turns into, not a swan, but a fulfilled and happy duck. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Eleanor Roosevelt from the Beginning.....
"From the beginning the baby was a disappointment to her mother. She was born red and wrinkled, an ugly little thing. And she was not a boy." So begins Barbara Cooney's poignant and inspirational picture book biography of Eleanor Roosevelt's unhappy childhood. Born to beautiful and gregarious parents, this plain, shy, fearful little girl was orphaned at the young age of nine, and spent a lonely and isolated childhood living in the homes of her fabulously wealthy relatives. At the age of fifteen, her grandmother sent her off to Allenswood, a boarding school in Britain, and there under the tutelage of headmistress, Mlle. Souvestre, ugly duckling Eleanor began to grow and bloom, becoming the remarkable, poised, and confident woman America loved and admired..... Ms Cooney's well researched, gentle story is both fascinating and engaging as it captures the essence of an introverted and intelligent child trying to discover her true nature and talents, and is complemented by her marvelously evocative illustrations. Each picture is filled with meticulous late-nineteenth century detail, from the period dress and grand houses with their opulent interiors, to the captivating streets and parks of New York City, and country life on Long Island. Together word and art paint an intriguing and captivating picture of both little Eleanor, and the times in which she lived. With a short afterword detailing some of Mrs Roosevelt's later accomplishments, Eleanor is a superb introduction that is sure to whet the appetite of youngsters 6-10, and send them out looking for more.

What a moving book!
It leaves hope that a child who is rejected for being unattractive and shy can find a person who is accepting and willing to reach out to them. It also reminds me how important a teacher can be to bring out the best in a pupil and prepare them for adult life and self-acceptance.

disappointing
This story of Eleanor Roosevelt's life is a tremendous disappointment. I would never read this to my child. It starts off with ER's mother disappointed in her child's looks and does not ever recover from that terrible beginning. This could've been a story of what's inside being more important than what's outside, but it's not! Instead, try a fun, uplifting account of one part of ER's life with Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride.

A beautiful introduction to an important lady.
Barbara Cooney provides a true hero for all of today's children. This beautiful story of Eleanor Roosevelt's early life will serve not only as an introduction to this important lady but also as an inspiration to achieve great things in life. ... Read more