Eleanor Roosevelt

Volume I, 1884-1933

By: Blanche Wiesen Cook

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 22 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Eleanor Roosevelt was born into the privileges and prejudices of American aristocracy and into a family ravaged by alcoholism. She overcame debilitating roots: in her public life, fighting against racism and injustice and advancing the rights of women; and in her private life, forming lasting intimate friendships with some of the great men and women of her time.

This landmark biography provides a compelling new evaluation of one of the most inspiring women in American political history. Celebrated by feminists, historians, politicians, and reviewers everywhere, it presents an unprecedented portrait of a brave, fierce, passionate political leader of our century.

©1993 Blanche Wiesen Cook (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Loved

I find Eleanor's life very inspiring and this book is loaded with details I wasn't aware of.

What a Woman

the founder of the modern democratic party

ER is truly an American hero and champion for the poor

Brilliant

Excellent biography of ER and what made her the woman she was. The narrator was perfect neither too fast nor too slow. I'm already looking forward to Volume 2

Well Written & Fascinating

Fascinating perspective of the First Lady ER. Incredible job done with the research giving the listener a captivating background on her endurance, tenacity, compassion, and influence as well as the challenges. I’m an avid audible listener and this is in my top five.

One of the Great Americans I knew too little about

I thought I knew a lot about Eleanor because I had read so extensively about her husband and his leadership. What I learned was that everything I knew and thought about Eleanor was seen through a distorted lens. Eleanor was so much more than just a wife and mother. What Eleanor was was a woman who should be seen as one of the towering figures of the 20th century, who transcended the limits that society imposed on women. Eleanor was a mother, an educator, a writer, a political figure, a feminist, a humanitarian--above all she was a woman who rose far beyond what could have been expected of her. Perhaps most of all what I was struck by was the tragedy of a woman whose passionate nature had to be publicly suppressed because of her husband's political goals.

This is a well-written and beautifully performed book. I wish I could personally thank the author (Ms. Cook) and reader (Ms. Reading) for bringing this giant figure to clear view in this wise and sympathetic biography. Both are models of their respective forms.

So long, but there were enough interesting moments

This took me months to finish on super speed. I just couldn't justify hours on end to listen to it. However, I do feel as if Eleanor Roosevelt was a trailblazer for her time and would even be considered so now. Seeing the arc of her self-esteem from young awkward girl to author, business woman, speaker, First Lady is really remarkable. The part that talks about the class she taught made me wish I could have been one of her students. I'm grateful for this book.

Wonderful

A fabulous way to reconnect with our history! ER is an impressive woman, indeed! Love love love

Introducing Students to ER!

My students have been reading V.2 of this biographical series for several years. I have decided to assign the entire set as recommended required readings for my students' analytical book review assignment this fall (graduate student) Those that select the series will be immensely pleased. This volumes provides so much riveting detail about ER and her famous First Family. Anyone wanting to know about Eleanor Roksevelt and her historic legacy in national and international politics, as well as her ability to open doors for future generations of women politicians and diomacists, must read this volume. it is magical and enriching!

The Story of a truly inspiring leader

The biography was interesting and I learned a lot.

I couldn’t stand that she referred to people by initials. It seemed lazy, like it was her shorthand while researching and she never got around to cleaning up. I also didn’t like the way she stuck quotes in the middle of sentences, changing who the speaker was without so much as a “she said”.
The book included a great deal of biographical information about her friends and associates that wasn’t necessary. In fact, the biographies of her family members was a bit excessive.
I would love to Read her story as a novel. It would flow better than this did.

Excellent detailed history but long

Excellent book - very detailed and interesting and provides great insight into Eleanor during her formative years. My only complaint is that at 18 hours this is quite long and there are two more volumes ! Overall I would recommend.