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Summary: A renewed appreciation for the power of political activism
Review: Although I am a product of the 1960's and 1970's, I have lost sight of the importance and power of activism in our culture. I once had a passion to fight for the rights of others less privilieged or for those who can not fight for themselves. This book stirred in me a passion that I have long forgotten! How great a woman was Eleanor Roosevelt! How important her contribution to human rights and the survival of the American way! Blanche Weisen Cook has written an account of Eleanor Roosevelt that is moving, realistic and powerful. It has renewed my interest in political causes and the incredible need for activism. A must read for women of all generations.
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Summary: This book lets you become an intimate friend of Eleanor.
Review: Eleanor is a wonderful book that explores the world and intimate life of Eleanor Roosevelt. This is a well researched document that is masterful in capturing the personal, political, and very independent life of the former First Lady. The book moves thoroughly through the first few decades of Mrs. Roosevelt's life leaving no stone unturned. One of my favorite quotes pertained to the fact that if one is to change the world we must first change our neighborhoods, our schools, our own communities...this is where change starts...this book has brought to the citizenry of this world a new lense through which to view this extremely humanitarian and progressive visionary...this book has gone into communities and has changed our way of thinking about the writing of biographies. It will be a lasting historical contribution but more importantly it has the potential to impact the visioning of all who read it. I can hardly wait for Volume 2.
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Summary: An inspiring subject; a skewed portrayal
Review: Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the most inspirational and influential people of the 20th century, despite her own protests to the contrary. While Ms. Cook's biography reveals many insights into Mrs. Roosevelt's private and public lives, certain of the author's own subjective opinions color what information is missing or has been destroyed regarding this wonderful first lady; these opinions are certainly open to debate. Overall, though, the book inspires all to pursue dreams, to grow throughout a lifetime, to change to fit the times and the needs of one's world. Eleanor's own education about living provides a basis from which to begin living life to the fullest. It is this hope and fortitude that Ms. Cook best captures.
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Summary: "...assertive, independent, and bold."
Review: Eleanor Roosevelt's passions impress those who recall her later public image as a dowdy grandmother-type. No cracks about prominent teeth, please. Author Blanche Wiesen Cook does a commendable job of telling a familiar story from a fresh perspective. This book details ER's life from childhood to the beginning of her career as First Lady. The theme of the book is ER as "assertive, independent, and bold." As long as she lived by other people's expectations, ER was stifled. After she asserted her independence, she was happier and more successful. "She feared rigidities," Cook asserts. She abhorred the judgmental absolutes that she thought contributed to her parents' problems and early deaths. ER aspired to walk in the humanist footsteps of her mentor and great teacher, Marie Souvestre. Intriguing questions of ER's private life remain unanswered because she destroyed many of her personal letters and papers. Her marriage to Franklin Roosevelt was mercurial, and the boundaries grew undefined. After 1918, a crisis year in their marriage, ER formed a number of associations with women social activists. She embarked in new directions, and tirelessly supported women's issues. Ironically, she opposed the 1920s version of the equal rights amendment because she felt it would remove protections that women enjoyed under the laws of that time. Woven through the tapestry of the narrative are questions of ER's love life. Her close working friendships with lesbian activists, at minimum, suggest Sapphic possibilities. ER's views of love and sex were nonconformist, and included men and women. Both Earl Miller and Lorena Hickock played special roles in her life. Cook writes of Eleanor Roosevelt as a three-dimensional woman of joy and sorrow. This book is an eye opening and enjoyable read. Highly recommended. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: "...assertive, independent, and bold."
Review: Eleanor Roosevelt's passions impress those who recall her later public image as a dowdy grandmother-type. No cracks about prominent teeth, please. Author Blanche Wiesen Cook does a commendable job of telling a familiar story from a fresh perspective. This book details ER's life from childhood to the beginning of her career as First Lady. The theme of the book is ER as "assertive, independent, and bold." As long as she lived by other people's expectations, ER was stifled. After she asserted her independence, she was happier and more successful. "She feared rigidities," Cook asserts. She abhorred the judgmental absolutes that she thought contributed to her parents' problems and early deaths. ER aspired to walk in the humanist footsteps of her mentor and great teacher, Marie Souvestre. Intriguing questions of ER's private life remain unanswered because she destroyed many of her personal letters and papers. Her marriage to Franklin Roosevelt was mercurial, and the boundaries grew undefined. After 1918, a crisis year in their marriage, ER formed a number of associations with women social activists. She embarked in new directions, and tirelessly supported women's issues. Ironically, she opposed the 1920s version of the equal rights amendment because she felt it would remove protections that women enjoyed under the laws of that time. Woven through the tapestry of the narrative are questions of ER's love life. Her close working friendships with lesbian activists, at minimum, suggest Sapphic possibilities. ER's views of love and sex were nonconformist, and included men and women. Both Earl Miller and Lorena Hickock played special roles in her life. Cook writes of Eleanor Roosevelt as a three-dimensional woman of joy and sorrow. This book is an eye opening and enjoyable read. Highly recommended. ;-)
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Summary: Excellent, engrossing biography
Review: Even if you're not interested in Eleanor Roosevelt, you will be after reading this book. Cook writes history the way it *should* be written, with an emphasis on the personality, foibles and private life of her subject. She doesn't shy away from speculating on Eleanor's relationship with Lorena Hickock or Earl Miller.She correctly points out that for years people have denied Eleanor might have had a sexual relationship with Miller simply because he was young and handsome and she was "old" and "ugly." Absurd! My only minor concern was that Cook seems not to fully appreciate FDR as a man, politician and icon. Her marked preference for Eleanor is obvious, which really isn't a big concern. Was FDR a jerk to cheat on Eleanor with Lucy Mercer? Probably not, since Eleanor hated intimacy with him (and told her daughter "sex is an ordeal to be borne!") and never sought to re-establish a real marriage after 1918. Most men with FDR's looks, charm and natural exuberance would tolerate a wife who was cold as a fish in the bedroom. I don't believe Cook accepts this or attempts to understand FDR's frustration. Eleanor Roosevelt is a truly great and grand lady, multi-faceted, highly intelligent, compassionate and gritty. Cook has done a marvelous job in exploring and explaining her early life.
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Summary: Solid academic research reveals a real woman.
Review: How many books written for what could easily be a Phd. disertation can be enjoyed and discussed by several generations of women from teenagers to grandmothers? Not many. But this is one. It was wonderful to sit and discuss this this well researched and documented work, Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1933 by Blanche Wiesen Cook. The footnotes took up a significant part of the volumn, but were at the back of the book so one did not need to interupt the flow of the storey unless it was desired. How amazing it was for me to learn about a woman who I vaguely remember only as a president's wife and someone who wrote a column in one of my mother's favorite magzines, Ladies Home Journal. Growing up in the 60's why was not more written about this remarkable woman who could have taught a generation of women how to make it in a man's world. While we stumbled around she had already walked the path we vainly thought we were pioneering. Yet we were all kept in the dark about her. Her storey was not taught to us in school, although we certainly all knew avout Franlkin Roosevelt's struggle to overcome his physical problems to become president. Why only now are we learning about Eleanor's role in that fight? Eleanor had learned to balance the needs of children, a philandering husband and the call she heard to make the world a better place. One might wonder why women were not told her storey. Could it be to keep us in our places; the kitchen ad the bedroom and out of the boardroom? Who knows, with information like this a generation of women might not have thought their only choices in careers were teaching, nursing or airline stewardist? How wonderful to read about all the leading women of her time who faught for women's right to vote, rights for minorities, fair and equal pay for both men and women along with safe working conditions. The role Eleanor Roosevelt played in world politics and human rights issues should have assured her a few chapters in the history books along with her peers, Elizabeth Cady Staton and Jane Adams. It is so exciting to learn more about all of these women, who could have served as role models for young women, had we been better informed about them. This is not a mistake that will go uncorrected in my circle of friends. This book will be read and discussed with our daughters, neices and the daughters of our friends. Thank you Ms. Cook, I can hardly wait to get started on the sequel.
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Summary: One of my all time favorites
Review: I read this book about five years ago and I am excited that volume two is finally out. I wanted to write a review because this book was so important to my own growth and education. Cook's biography of Eleanor Roosevelt got me interested in biographies, American History and politics. In many of the reviews people say how the book it novel like. This is true, because Eleanor's life was so story like in many ways. Also Eleanor is so inspirational to any woman or girl who has ever felt shy or inadequate, or who has been dumped on by her husband or relatives. I really recommend this book and I cannot wait until I can get ahold of the second volume. Thank you Blanche Cook for making such an inspirational book available to us readers.
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Summary: Great Work!
Review: I read this book as well as "On Women and Revolution" and Women and support networks and loved all of them. Blanche Wiesen Cook has a most amzing talent with words.
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Summary: Wonderful Work
Review: I thought I was a decent student of American history; well, I am, sort of. Of MALE American history. Not once in all my years of school have I ever had a history class that focused on the great women leaders in our nation's history--including Eleanor Roosevelt. It is a travesty that needs to be rectified ... and it can be by reading this biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. What a woman! Was she perfect? No. Did she always do the right thing? Nope. Was she always presented in the best possible light? Nada. Instead, what Blanche Cook did was present a portrait of a very real Eleanor Roosevelt--warts and all. I never once gave consideration to reading about Eleanor--until I read a NEW YORK TIMES' review of the second volume of the biography. It compelled me to purchase the first; I will now read the second. I would encourage any and all women to do the same simply because what we have been able to accomplish in today's world can be directly connected to Eleanor Roosevelt, her contemporaries, and her mentors. We owe it to her legacy; we also owe it to the children of today's schools to learn about her in our history classes. These women deserve mention as much--if not more--than the heroes of the Revolutionary War, the great presidents, the fighters of the Civil War, the World Wars, etc., etc.
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