Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt

De: Eleanor Roosevelt

Narrado por: Tavia Gilbert

Now back in print, a candid and insightful look at an era and a life through the eyes of one of the most remarkable Americans of the twentieth century, First Lady and humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt.

The daughter of one of New York's most influential families, niece of Theodore Roosevelt, and wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt witnessed some of the most remarkable decades in modern history, as America transitioned from the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, and the Depression to World War II and the Cold War.

A champion of the downtrodden, Eleanor drew on her experience and used her role as First Lady to help those in need. Intimately involved in her husband's political life, from the governorship of New York to the White House, Eleanor eventually became a powerful force of her own, heading women's organizations and youth movements, and battling for consumer rights, civil rights, and improved housing. In the years after FDR's death she became a U.N. Delegate, chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, a newspaper columnist, Democratic party activist, world-traveler, and diplomat devoted to the ideas of liberty and human rights.

This single volume biography brings her to life through her own words, illuminating the vanished world she grew up, her life with her political husband, and the postwar years when she worked to broaden cooperation and understanding at home and abroad.

©2014 Original material © 2014 by Elleanor Roosevelt. Recorded by arrangement with HarperPerennial. (P)2014 (p) 2014 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books.

Fascinating

This book was originally published in 1946. I first read it in 1960 just after I attended a lecture by Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962). Over the years I have read everything I could get my hands on about Eleanor. I was reviewing some notes the other day and decided it was about time I reread “Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt” by Eleanor Roosevelt.

The book is well written but it must be taken in the age it was written, by a woman of the 19th century. The book is written in the reserve style of that era. Eleanor reviews her early life in the large Roosevelt family. She goes into details about her life as first lady and at the end of her life her hopes for the United Nations. (Last section was added to new edition issued just before her death) I could see how Eleanor rose to the challenge of first lady and the need for her to be the eyes and ears for her invalid husband, the president. Many former first ladies were overwhelmed with the role but it brought out the best in Eleanor. Mrs. Roosevelt was a complex woman and to begin to understand her it is necessary to read a wide range books about her from all points of view. For anyone wanting to learn about Eleanor Roosevelt or about first ladies, this is a must-read book.

The book is eighteen and a half hours. Tavia Gilbert does an excellent job narrating the book. Gilbert is an actress, voice-over artist and audiobook narrator. Gilbert won the Audie Award for the Best Female Narrator for 2017.

Wrong Casting for Narrator

This autobiography was really interesting. It is mainly focused on Eleanor's political life. Eleanor guards against discussing any real feelings concerning her personal life. Nevertheless, I enjoyed learning about this remarkable woman's journey from an uncertain child to confidant and visionary leader concerning social and political ideals. She was an amazing woman.

My main disconnect with this audible rendition is the choice of narrator. While the narrator has a lovely youngish voice, this is a memoir written by an elderly woman. A mature narrator would have been far more effective.

inspiring

what a great history lesson from one of the great women of all time. I not only learned a lot about President Roosevelt era, but also Eleanor's great influence on American history.

What a forward thinking woman she was.

Loved this autobiography about a remarkable woman. I would love to sit and have a conversation with her. She persevered through many struggles and always wanted to learn more about people, languages, and cultures. Her work with the United Nations is admirable.

A Life of Service

Eleanor Roosevelt's Autobiography shows the character strength of a woman who overcame difficulties and turned them into opportunities.
In her 75+ years her guiding mantra was
What else can I do to make the world a better place?

Historical if Nothing Else

I thought this book would be interesting about Eleanor Roosevelt’s life and for some points it was.
However, as a person of color, it eventually indirectly pointed out and drudged up how imbalanced we have been as a Nation of citizens. It pointed to how it was “believed” that the heads of our nation tried to portray to the world that ‘all was being done to assure that the coloreds were being treated fairly!’
I completed the book but became increasingly nauseated towards the end having to fast forward the last two chapters. It is historical, and eye opening!

What a great lady!

details of her life and the important role she played in important negotiations both on United States issues and development of the United Nations. The last couple of chapters are extremely important. Her message to our country that we had better shape up and pay attention to Russian affairs is significant but the message was communicated long ago and we have not not changed our ways.

Living through Eleanor

Long but great book that tells of a life through so many changes that demanded courage. Incredible piece of history shared here. Interesting that she didn’t dwell on her husband’s flaws but kept true to sharing who she was - independent of the president himself. I did feel there was lacking commentary about some big events like the Great Depression and civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s. Very worthwhile reading nonetheless.

Wish I could rate higher

I’m enjoying the content and historical value but this reader in my opinion is miscast and I’m struggling to remain interested. She has a lovely voice and is a skilled reader but she sounds too young for a woman describing a long life and vast experience of a woman in her 70s and it’s being read like a novel, not an autobiography. I just can’t connect the voice to the material.

Interesting last third

Boring first half but more interesting when she became a widow. She didn’t seem to care about anything until she was on her own. She provides a lot of information about Russia. This gives an insight into what they accomplished and how they see their future.