Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt

By: Eleanor Roosevelt

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 18 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

This should be read by everybody

Eleanor Roosevelt has long been my hero and now she's risen even higher in my esteem, which I wouldn't have thought possible.

Every American should learn from her example.

I found the reading somewhat mannered, and a few names mispronounced, most alarmingly "Adlai" as "ad-lie", when it's supposed to be "ad-lay". Fortunately, the story itself contains such passion that the audible version is far outweighed by the reading.

Highly highly recommend.

Must read

The last half of the book helps explain what is going on in our country today. Things that were put in place by not only the United States but other world governments. Very interesting.

Relevant for the problems of this day....

I loved this book. It was interesting, and even though it was written long ago, it made me aware that had we dealt with the problems then, we would be further ahead today. Some things were interesting and light weight ....but her story really shines, as she matures, and her perspective becomes more global in nature. She becomes gritty, and tough as she ages; what an amazing woman. SLKW

It's OK, but not earth shattering.

It’s the Story of her privileged life, in a very different time. Easy to listen to, narrator is soothing.

Facinating book

I was completely fascinated by Eleanor Roosevelt's depiction of her own life - her narration is so modest in the face of so many achievements! Her musings on our attitudes towards life and each other are so relevant, even to this day.
The narrator's American accent (strange pronouncition of some words) detracted a bit from the effect, but overall this was an exceptional book!

simply amazing.

so much that we can learn from her story and apply to today's tumultuous times.

Recommended Read

This is an insightful look into our country in the past and a historical first lady.

This should be required reading in today’s history classes

Excellent insider account of history. Lessons we seem to have forgotten, and might well should reacquaint ourselves with in today’s political atmosphere.

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!

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.