On My Own

by Eleanor Roosevelt

In this volume the greatest and best-loved woman of our time shares the experiences–private and public– of her thirteen years since the death of F.D.R. She describes in intimate detail the problems she had to solve after her husband's death, winding up his affairs and working out a pattern for her new life. On her own, and at an age where most women take their ease, she entered upon an important new career with days as various, as demanding and as rewarding as any she had ever known.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

234 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was an American political leader who used her influence as an active First Lady from 1933 to 1945 to promote the New Deal policies of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as taking a prominent role as an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, she continued to be an internationally prominent author and speaker for the New Deal coalition. She was a suffragist who worked to enhance the status of working women, although she opposed the Equal Rights Amendment because she believed it would adversely affect women. In the 1940s, she was one of the co-founders of Freedom House and supported the formation of the United Nations. Eleanor Roosevelt founded the UN Association of the United States in 1943 to advance support for the formation of the UN. She was a delegate to the UN General Assembly from 1945 and 1952, a job for which she was appointed by President Harry S. Truman and confirmed by the United States Congress. During her time at the United Nations chaired the committee that drafted and approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. President Truman called her the "First Lady of the World" in tribute to her human rights achievements.
She was one of the most admired persons of the 20th century, according to Gallup's List of Widely Admired People.

Reviews

[Emme]

I wrote the book description for this entry. I thought it was worth adding to the database.

Reading this book was like sitting on Mrs. Roosevelt's couch, visiting over Roastaroma tea and milk as I received counsel, inspiration, correction, disagreement, delight, and admiration of this remarkable political figure, woman, mother.

[Trisha]

This memoir of Eleanor's work with the UN is just a glimpse of her extraordinary life, albeit a very inspiring one . Eleanor is one of my heroes- and yes this book is a good example of why.

[Susan]

Interesting memoir of her life from 1945-1956. Some of her observations are as pertinent now as they were 70 years ago, particularly on the problems of refugees and the Middle East.

[Jill]

Read the three chapters re: her work with the UN.

Ch. V With the UN in London: Learning the Ropes
Ch. VIII "My Most Important Task" The Human Rights Commission
Ch. IX The Paris Sessions: Successes and Some Failures

Only 4 stars b/c I wish she had written more!

[Mary]

Classic Eleanor Roosevelt! worth the read to get to know the woman a bit better.

[Jeni Enjaian]

I needed a really good palate cleanse after two terrible books and I definitely got it with this book. Immediately when I started reading, I relaxed. Roosevelt's prose felt like a warm, comfortable blanket. I felt at home with her as she told her story even though her life contained so many amazing things that mine never will. As I kept reading, I had to smile at how consistently self-deprecating Roosevelt was of herself even as she masterfully made her way in the highest diplomatic echelons at the United Nations. I highly recommend this book and if I ever find a copy, I will snag it immediately.

[Catherine Wojtkun]

Detailed and insightful to the making of the United Nations, its participants, the Cold War, and political climate of Eleanor Roosevelts involvement and influence on her times. A politically savvy woman who was ahead of her times yet held back by the "homemaker attitude" of the times. Eleanor Roosevelt stepped out of the shadow of her husband, FDR, and made great advances for women while struggling with her personal life and family. Interesting....but sometimes too much detail on her schedule and not enough on her personal challenges.

[Kathryn H]

I have had a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt on the wall at my desk for over 10 years. One of my volunteers at my current job saw the quote and asked if I'd like to read her book and of course I said yes. 

I didn't find it an easy read, but I still really enjoyed. She was an amazing strong woman travelling the world after her husbands death and being a key player in the UN. It was a whole different era and loved reading about the way she entertained, and even how she dressed. A great read.

[sabina]

in my opinion, this memoir is a good example towards why you shouldn’t idolise individuals (no matter how admirable their achievements may be). given the context and background that roosevelt was situated in, her western saviour complex is not surprising — however, it disillusioned my admiration towards her as a historical figure

[Ann Halligan]

This is a folksy book written in 1958 in Mrs. Roosevelt's own style and voice. Her interview with Krushchev is surprisingly relevant with her commentary on Russian people and the role of their form of government (Communism) in the modernization of Russia. Her last chapter, A Challenge to the West, rings true today for the role of the US in the world.