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The central volume in the definitive biography of America's most important First Lady. "Engrossing" (Boston Globe). The captivating second volume of this Eleanor Roosevelt biography covers tumultuous era of the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the gathering storms of World War II, the years of the Roosevelts' greatest challenges and finest achievements. In her remarkably engaging narrative, Cook gives us the complete Eleanor Roosevelt--an adventurous, romantic woman, a devoted wife and show more mother, and a visionary policymaker and social activist who often took unpopular stands, counter to her husband's policies, especially on issues such as racial justice and women's rights. A biography of scholarship and daring, it is a book for all readers of American history. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This second volume of the the biography deepens my appreciation of Eleanor (and slightly reduces my admiration for FDR). Eleanor stakes out her own intellectual and social and political territory in these years. While she remains loyal to her husbands goals and tactics (to a certain extent), she speaks and acts independently on causes that are important to her. I was interested to see how much her independence was accepted by the media and people at this time; it seems to me that a First Lady is not allowed as much of her own political agenda in the 21st century as Eleanor took 80 years ago.
Certainly a book worth reading, but I preferred volume one of Cook's biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, which had more personal information. This volume was often like reading excerpts from someone's day planner. I did like some of the insights into ER's character, though, such as Cook's theory that ER's insistence on keeping as the White House head housekeeper, a woman who seemed to deliberately prepare food that FDR hated was her revenge for FDR's infidelity.
Thoughts or take-aways:
1. ER was so accomplished - her energy and scope of work are amazing - so many accomplishments for a first lady.
2. Interesting perspective on Jews and WWII.
3. I learned a lot about the New Deal and the Great Depression.
4. The role of women in politics in the 30's was interesting. Why did that change?
1. ER was so accomplished - her energy and scope of work are amazing - so many accomplishments for a first lady.
2. Interesting perspective on Jews and WWII.
3. I learned a lot about the New Deal and the Great Depression.
4. The role of women in politics in the 30's was interesting. Why did that change?
i thought i wouldn't like this as much as volume 1 but it was great. eleanor has such energy and the ability to ignore the unpleasantness of others. a type of saint but very human. i wish bwc had written the third volume.
This is the second volume of Cook's biography; volume one covered the years 1884-1933. I found both volumes very informative and highly researched. The author had access to a great deal of Mrs. Roosevelt's correspondence and made much use of it, often quoting from letters and speeches to support her conclusions. Mrs. R was definitely her own person and never shirked from what she saw as her duty to others, even when that meant disagreeing publicly with FDR. She also had a complicated private life, and the author devotes equal time and researach to both private and public lives. Overall, an enjoyable book, and I'm hoping that volume three is in the works.
The two volume set on ER is very good, sort of biography through the prism of events and politics. She was a fascinating woman. The only disappointment is that the set only goes up to 1938.
I apparently started this just as my attention span shifted away from nonfiction. Must finish, but apparently not right now.
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Author Information
14+ Works 2,224 Members
Blanche Wiesen Cook is Professor of History and Women's Studies at John Jay College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Her books include Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume I, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and numerous other awards. (Bowker Author Biography)
Awards and Honors
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 2: 1933-1938
- Alternate titles
- Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume Two: The Defining Years, 1933-1938; Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume Two: 1933-1938; Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 2; Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume Two
- Original publication date
- 1992
- People/Characters
- Anna Hall Roosevelt (Eleanor's mother); Eleanor Roosevelt; Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Elliott Roosevelt (Eleanor's father)
- Important places
- Georgia, USA; New York, USA; New York, New York, USA; Warm Springs, Georgia, USA
- Dedication
- TO MY MOTHER, SADONIA ECKER WIESEN
a constant inspiration - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Preface and Acknowledgements] She emboldened and envigorated (sp) the entire quest.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Introduction] To contemplate her life of action and determination is to reconsider the role of popular movements everywhere growing, reorganizing, still and again dedicated to a politics of care, love, and justice.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)She was fortified every day by her new allies, her abiding partnership with FDR, love for the people in her life, and love of the world.
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction, Sexuality and Gender Studies
- DDC/MDS
- 973.917092 — History & geography History of North America United States 1901- World Wars and Depression Era (1901-1953) Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1933-1937) New Deal, Social Security Act Standard subdivisions History, geographic treatment, biography Biography
- LCC
- E807.1 .R48 .C66 — History of the United States United States Twentieth century Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administrations,
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 730
- Popularity
- 38,549
- Reviews
- 10
- Rating
- (3.91)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 8
- ASINs
- 9
