Eleanor: The Years Alone

by Joseph P. Lash, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Foreword)

The New York Times Bestseller―“Superb…Lash has reached the highest level of the biographer’s art.” ― Wall Street Journal Joseph P. Lash, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer and National Book Award-winning writer of Eleanor and Franklin , turns to the seventeen years Eleanor Roosevelt lived after FDR's death in 1945. Already a major figure in her own right, Roosevelt gained new stature with her work at the United Nations and her contributions to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She continued her activism on behalf of civil rights, as well as her humanitarian work, which led President Harry Truman to call her the First Lady of the World. Lash has created an extraordinary portrait of an extraordinary person.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, American History, Feminism, Biography Memoir, Politics

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Joseph Paul Lash (1909–1987) was secretary and confidant to Eleanor Roosevelt and the author of numerous acclaimed books.

Reviews

[Bonnieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most amazing thing is that the more I read about Eleanor Roosevelt the more I admire her. She was soo important to her husband. BUT she was soo important to the world after his death: key to the success of the U.N. Charter, key to movement on Civil Rights in the 1950s, key to expansion of the role of women in public service.

And they thought Hillary Clinton was 'too involved', 'too aggressive'...Cannot read enough about this woman!

[Mary JL · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the death of President Franklin Roosevelt, his wife Eleanor contnued her servies to humanity.

Already known for her social work and humanitarian causes, she became a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. In 1948, she was invovled as a co-author of the Universal Declaration of Human rights.

Mr. Lash's books gives a good portrait of her life after she was widowed. He describes her work for the UN; her publishing of several books; her speaking tours--and delves into her personality.

Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the first "First Ladies" to become well known for her own works--not as just the presidents wife. She was a remarkable person; and this biography of her is well worth reading.

[Paul Gaya Ochieng Simeon Juma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elearnor: The years alone is an auto-biography about Eleanor Rosevelt written by Joseph P. Lash. Ms. Rosevelt was the wife to Franklin Delano Rosevelt, a high ranking former president who is currently deceased. Though her husband's death was hard on her, it never slowed her momentum on her impact both in domestic politic politics and at the international level. Her political prowess was eveident in the highest organisation in the world which she helped form, the United Nations.

A Peace Ambassador. Ms. Rosevelt was best known for her struggle to promote and achieve peace in the world. After the brutal war with Germany in what is commonly known as World War II, she became a strong proponent for a United Nations. In her own words, she encouraged her country to make it (the United Nations) a cornerstone of its foreign policy. She believed that a stronger UN can be an effective instrument for peace in the world.

Her views on Russia were not combative. She believed that the only way the US could win the cold war was by ENDING IT. The prevention of war with the Russians was her mantra. She had come to learn and understand the Russian psychology. She was endowed with great knowledge of human nature and relations which she encouraged the ruling class of the time to inculcate. She saw the Russians as both "insecure" and "tenacious". It was important for the US to match them in each anf every way.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She fought for a legislation at the international level that ensures and protects individuals around the world. Her gruelling encounter and exchanges with her Russian counterparts eventually paid off. Elearnor together with representatives from other countries were able to come up with a document that has been accepted by every state in the world.

Jews and the Palestinians. She also assisted in the settlement of the Jewish people in Palestine. The move was not done unilaterally but through the United Nations and with consultations with the Arab Authorities. However, she was opposed to a Jewish state at the time. She favored the partition of palestine into two with the Jews on the one side and the Palestinians on the other. This was to be done gradually. Her sentiments did not seat well with President Truman who in order to outdo the Russians acknowledged Israel as a state. The UN gave it recognition status in 1949 a move that has angered the Arabs to this date.

So many contributions by a remarkable woman both domestically and internationally. With great strength and courage she was able to achieve more than any other person of her time. She was later awarded a nobel peace prize for her remarkable work.

[Harry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joseph P. Lash and his wife were close personal friends of Eleanor Roosevelt, and he had access to her mountain of correspondence. Mrs. Roosevelt liked to write the way some presidents like to tweet, and Lash tries to quote her writings at every opportunity. "Eleanor: The Years Alone" is a sequel to Lash's previous book, "Franklin and Eleanor." It is scholarly and well-researched, yet overall the reader cannot see the forest for the trees. Written ten years after Eleanor Roosevelt's death (and now I read it almost 50 years later), Lash assumes the reader is already familiar with the details of her personal life and the political wranglings of the era: who her children were and their families, her secretaries and the politicians and what they stood for. Instead of so many quotes, I wish Lash had provided us with more background and context. If one had to read one book on Eleanor Roosevelt, this isn't it.
"The Years Alone" is an unfortunate title. It sounds like a lonely old widow, whiling away her time and awaiting death, where the opposite is true. Eleanor truly came into her own during this period with her work for the United Nations Human Rights Council, support of civil rights, women's rights, the establishment of the State of Israel and liberal Democratic politicians. She was an indefatigable powerhouse, activist, arbiter, columnist and stateswoman. She was loyal to her friends and the memory of her husband. Despite her frequent admonition that politics needs young, fresh blood, she supported Adlai Stevenson, a two-time loser, for a 3rd nomination at the presidency. The world is truly a lesser place with her passing.

[Kathleen Nalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of the second phase of her life after Franklin. Admirable woman.

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the hard things for me about a book written by an intimate -- someone with intense, personal connections to the topic -- is knowing what to leave out. The book is dense with names and details that probably had powerful meaning to Joe and to Eleanor but don't seem as crucial to readers today. There are few books about Eleanor's life after 1945 that are as insightful about her as this one but I nonetheless found it hard going to slog through all the names and details. Would love to see a historian tackle this topic for modern day readers.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read about Eleanor Roosevelt and it for sure won't be the last. I think this book was well done, but I got sort of lost in the number of people referenced and was sort of iffy about how it was organized. That being said, it was a really good introduction into the MANY things Eleanor did after FDR died. Also I think the author did a fair job showing her imperfections and hypocrisies which was nice. I definitely want to read more about her early life and her years during her husband's presidency.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the sudden death of President Franklin Roosevelt in April, 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt continued her active commitment to human rights and humanitarian causes under her death. Told from the affectionate perspective of a much-loved friend, Joseph Lash's admiration for Eleanor is evident throughout this loving tribute.

[Lucy McCoskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor Roosevelt was a powerhouse. in my mind, a combo of both Michelle & Barrack Obama. her good friend, Joe Lash, gives a detailed, fact-filled, people-filled description of an amazing person. she was a powerful force in an age when women were minimized

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The depression/FDR 20s and 30s is a gap in my awareness. This book doesn't really address that time, but one sometimes works backwards into the material...

It is about Eleanor after FDR's death, and a fascinating, warm narrative on her contributions during the tumult of post World War II politics and new alignments.

The most striking stories were two: her strong advocacy for a United Nations, and the US's role in it, and her reluctant understanding and acceptance of the use of the atomic bomb on Japan to end that conflict.

It is an interesting parallel read to Truman, by David McCullough.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it very much. Lash recognizes the tremendous power she had because the public loved her so much. She was very genteel, almost self=deprecating at times. It was so interesting to see how she helped get the United Nations started, and how difficult it was at times, especially with the Russians, and the question of the Jews inhabiting Israel, etc. It was interesting to learn that she was most often very upbeat, as we know, but that she also had horrible dark depressions... And of course, we know that in those times, there was very little outlet for that kind of mood.

[Meg Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this book. History of the early days of the UN was fascinating. For some readers, the political detail might be over done. Overall, instructive and insightful. Eleanor Roosevelt - First Lady of the World - a title she earned.

[Mikey B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography is about Eleanor Roosevelt’s life after the death of her husband in April 1945. There has never been a First Lady like Eleanor. She led a full and active life until her last days. It could be said that she was the most politically active woman of the 20th century. She broke down many barriers – racial, gender, social… She went far beyond the confines of her upper-class upbringing. Eleanor died at the age of 78 in 1962.

At the end of World War II President Truman made her the primary U.S. representative in the United Nations. She was instrumental in making the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” which is still very valid in today’s world. It was drawn up by legal and philosophical academics, but she ensured that the language was accessible and understood by the general public.

This book does have a lot of name-dropping; Eleanor knew thousands of people. I was surprised to learn she was not a staunch supporter of Harry Truman, but she did back him in the 1948 presidential election. In 1952 and 1956 she supported Adlai Stevenson – whom Truman did not like. Eisenhower totally ignored Eleanor Roosevelt when he was elected in 1952 and accepted her resignation from the U.N. She was not impressed with Eisenhower’s lack of opposition to the right-wing demagogue Joe McCarthy.

This book lacked the ardent feel of the author’s previous work Eleanor and Franklin. This one was very political and overlooked the friendships and social life of Eleanor. It was somewhat fawning and did not go into the problems she had. Eleanor had such an active schedule that it could be said she did not want to be alone with herself. She did not get along well with her tempestuous children and their many divorces and marriages (Eleanor and Franklin had five children and there were 19 marriages), plus their financial problems. She had a habit of developing a close friendship for a few months and then abandoning this for the next friendship or political-social cause that was brought to her attention.

She travelled extensively – to Europe, India, Israel, the Soviet Union, Japan… This was mostly a political exposé, with little on Eleanor’s personal outlook on these countries.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who was Eleanor Roosevelt? Up until April, 1944, she was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's wife, then widow. Unlike other first ladies, she did not retire and fade into history. Instead she walked out of her husband's shadow and became first lady of the world.
Her work was with the United Nations and human rights. She championed education and the rights of women. Although she would never be a candidate for political office, she influenced presidents from Truman to Kennedy.
This book isn't the easiest to read as it is so full of the people, issues and events of the years from 1944 t0 1962. That does not say it is hard to read, because it isn't. It's not a history text, yet is filled with history, much of it skipped over by schools.
This book is the story of a remarkable woman living in remarkable times. Unfortunately, I think she would be disappointed with events of today.
As she commented about life to Edward R. Murrow on "This I Believe": "And the important thing was that you never let down doing the best that you were able to do-it might be poor because you might not have much within you to give, or to help other people with, or to live your life with. But as long as you did the very best that you were able to do, then that was what you were put here to do and that was what you were accomplishing by being here."
She lived up to this and more.

[Clair Keizer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's note up-front that Joseph P. Lash, author of Eleanor: The Years Alone, and his wife Trude, were very close friends and confidants of both Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, so there is no doubt his writing reflects a devotion and bias that a reader may not find in Doris Kearns Goodwin's more recent book, No Ordinary Time.

That aside, The Years Alone is a remarkable story of a most remarkable woman. Every page of every chapter sheds light on her incredible drive and vision for a better world. Few others, woman or man, can compare their influence on issues, domestic and internationally, as Eleanor Roosevelt. One has to wonder if were it not for her work if the United Nations would have survived through the Fifties; she was so committed to it's existence. Would Truman have been as committed to the creation of the nation of Israel, were it not for her gentle, but persistent influence.

While Eleanor Roosevelt claimed time and again she was no politician, there is no question she learned from the best how to deal with the political minds to accomplish her myriad missions. If only today, we had more non-politicians doing the great work that Eleanor Roosevelt succeeded in doing throughout her life.

[Greg Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well obviously the book "Eleanor and Franklin" tweaked my curiosity for Eleanor. I needed to know what her life was like after Franklin. Although she never stopped grieving, she also did not stop working on her missions. Both Truman and Kennedy both utilized her ability to push the prize over the line. Eisenhower merely shrugged his shoulders when asked why he didn't utilize her talents. What did Eleanor stand for? Women's rights. Worker's rights. Immigrant's rights. Racial discrimination. In my opinion she had an exhausting goal of looking out for the underdog's of society. I really don't think there will ever be another "First Lady" like her. And that is sad because she left a perfect set of guidelines for a successor. Read the book if you're open to learning something you may not have know.

[Ginny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though I have my degree in the Social Sciences, at this point in my life I prefer my history more in historical fictio, such as "Winston's War". I was quite interested to read this book due to the subject matter, but I found myself slogging through it. Though the author was a friend of Mrs. Roosevelt's and had extensive access to her letters, he does not breathe any life into the woman who came to be known as "The First Lady of the World". She comes off as a nagging, know-it-all who wants everything her way. She wants younger people in leadership roles, until they start taking them for instance. Also I found his style of story telling which is not linear to be unsettling. He mentions her longtime secretary Tommy dies, then a few pages later, she is traveling with Tommy. Not my cup of tea.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading. Eleanor Roosevelt had a difficult childhood, and then became a "political wife" of Franklin Roosevelt. It wasn't until after his death that she became fully developed in a career of public service. Although this book doesn't go into her personal life very much, it does give a good picture of her desire to be of use the those most forgotten by society. It also shows that she was able to grow and change in some of her attitudes over time, such as her original resistance to women's suffrage, which she later came to espouse. She gave and gave so much of herself right up to the end. I think she must have been a lonely woman.

[Lyn Sweetapple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about an amazing lady and the contributions she made as an individual and not just as FDR's wife. I starts with FDR's death and continues to her death in 1962. The author was a friend and had unparalled access to all the Hyde Park archives as well as comentary from her 5 children and other friends. What is amazing is to read it in this time of upheaval. The issues she was fighting for and the struggels with the Soviets/Russians for human rights and dignity are still unsolved.

[Ginny]

I read this book in one sitting, but not because I couldn’t put it down. I had hoped Lash would dig deeper into Eleanor’s emotional life and resilience, which has rarely been presented in part because she was a private person. I recently finished Eleanor and Hick, which in contrast sheds light on Eleanor’s compassionate spirit for the most vulnerable and for her many female friends. Although Joe Lash supposedly was her confidante I wouldn’t know it from reading this book. Perhaps Lash’s other books are more engaging. Stay tuned.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt. I found she was a remarkable, intelligent woman with a great deal of compassion for the underdog. Some parts were hard for me to plow through & other parts flowed a little better. I guess I wanted a little more of her personal & family life & less of her involvement in politics. The writing style was a little different to me especially the way quotes were dealt with. But I’m glad I read it & learned more about her.

[Dayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things I remember from this book:

1) Fala became her companion and a source of comfort after FDR died.

2) Eleanor Roosevelt, as the chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, she was the driving force in creating the 1948 "Universal Declaration of Human Rights." What a beautiful woman who felt that every person on earth deserves dignity.

[Chanover55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at the life of Eleanor Roosevelt after the death of FDR She kept up an amazing schedule for most of that time and influenced the lives of many. For me the beginning chapters were a bit slow & hard to plow through, with long, quoted passages taking up most if those chapters. But it settled down and became more enjoyable. Glad I read it!

[c swinburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning how influential and busy Eleanor Roosevelt was after FDR’s death. And I also enjoyed seeing how she navigated the richly patriarchal world she lived in. Some things change so slowly!

[Nanci Carney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several books on Eleanor Roosevelt and always been fascinated. Unfortunately, this one just bored me. It read like a term paper, way too many references to who attended each meeting and event.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s achievements after she lost her husband. A truly extraordinary person!

[Dr. Jeffrey H. Schnitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest American heroes. A quite solid and readable biography.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I learned a lot about Mrs. Roosevelt and politics, this was very dry.

[Marijean Miyar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already admired Eleanor Roosevelt but had no idea of the contributions she made, in her last years to the United Nations, to the political process, to everyone she came into contact with. I only wish the author had devoted some time to explaining who the people in her life were.

[Sharon Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author writes about Mrs Roosevelt's years after the death of her husband. Her continued involvement in issues of our nation as well as the extended world, will amaze the reader. Truly a woman who wanted to make the world a peaceful and better place for us and everyone in it. (Since I'm reading this during the 2016 campaign, I must add that the juxtaposition of the insightful intelligence of Eleanor Roosevelt and the bigoted ignorance of Donald Trump is frightening.)