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Rating: Summary: a wonderful engrossing read Review: I enjoyed immensely this collective biography of a group of women linked by a family name made famous by two presidents. Each was a notable, and in some cases extraordinary character in her own right. It is not an easy task to untangle and explicate the intricate skeins of nine overlapping stories, but the author succeeds wonderfully by filling her book with memorable details, photographs and contexts for each of these women. I felt very well guided through the complexities of their relationships with each other and to the men of the family, and the influences they exerted, many of which have not been as clearly profiled in biographies focusing on the Roosevelt men. I was grateful for the large doses of social historical context, which helped me appreciate the scope of some of the lesser-known women's accomplishments. Caroli writes in the most affecting terms, clearly delineating each personality in her own right and in terms of the mark she left on American history. The choice to approach these women as a large group differentiates this book from other Roosevelt biographies and underlines the qualities of immense energy, curiosity, and forcefulness of character which are the common threads of these women's lives.I found it a fascinating read and could not put the book down.
Rating: Summary: "Roosevelt Women," which reads like a novel, was a pleasure Review: I was delighted to read Betty Boyd Caroli's new book, "The Roosevelt Women." While I've read a lot about Eleanor Roosevelt, I knew next to nothing about the other Roosevelt women. According to Caroli's book, ER's aunts had a major influence on her. Perhaps the future First Lady saw in them what strong women could accomplish. The aunts and cousins Caroli describes were quite accomplished in their own right. They wrote books, traveled the world, one became a state legislator and one even gave a speech at the Republican National Convention. While they seemed to have very active lives apart from their husbands, they also played traditional female roles raising children and running large households. "The Roosevelt Women" reads like a novel. It was a pleasure to learn about the other women in this amazing family.
Rating: Summary: This book brings the Roosevelt women alive. Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: THE ROOSEVELT WOMEN reads like a good novel. Review: I've just finished a wonderful book which I'd like to recommend to anyone interested in a good read. Betty Boyd Caroli's, THE ROOSEVELT WOMEN, reads like a good novel. It's filled with interesting stories, enticing gossip, and legendary women, - all combined with good history. Although I was familiar with Eleanor Roosevelt's story, I must admit that I knew very little about most of the Roosevelt women Ms. Caroli introduced me to. These aunts and cousins were role models for Eleanor - women who traveled the world, wrote books, served in state legislatures, even addressed the Republican National Convention - all while raising families and running large households. If you want some insight into the lives of the women in this very special American family, this is the book for you.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful Review: 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.
Rating: Summary: Fascinating Review: 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!
Rating: Summary: Fascinating Review: 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.
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