Joseph P. Lash (1909–1987)

Exhaustive look at Eleanor and Franklin. I wanted to enjoy this book and did for about 40% of it. Then I just couldn't take it any more. I read Lash's book Helen and Teacher about Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan so was familiar with the way he can jump around. He seems to know the story he is telling and at times leaves out what must have been pertinent information as I am found wondering if there isn't a critical tidbit I have missed or misunderstood. If he wrote more clearly it would show more certainly make an extensive book even longer. I had to stop reading. show less

1212 Eleanor and Franklin: The story of their relationship based on Eleanor Roosevelt's private papers, by Joseph P. Lash (read 8 Apr 1973) (Pulitzer Biography prize for 1972) (National Book Award biography prize for 1973) I found the first part of this book--up to 1933--was absorbing: the kind of life lived by Eleanor and Franklin, etc. But the part on the Presidency years was poorly written, slap-dash, boring. They had a strange relationship, after 1918. The book ends with FDR's death. I show more do not believe I will read the sequel. The author is not objective. show less

This book records the extraordinary active life in the world led by Eleanor Roosevelt after Franklin's death in 1945, and is a "coda" to the author's previous comprehensive book, Eleanor and Franklin.

Lash had acess to records and a long personal friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt. This is a remarkably complete biography of a woman who lived a very full life.