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Tomorrow Is Now
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First published January 1, 1963
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Eleanor Roosevelt
140 books1,675 followersAnna 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.
She was one of the most admired persons of the 20th century, according to Gallup's List of Widely Admired People.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 10, 2016
Eleanor Roosevelt would've had one hell of a Ted Talk. I almost forgot that this book was written years ago because it was so relevant to issues we face today. Gosh this woman was so passionate about all the right things. Reading this you just want to hear her speak. Highly recommend.
January 17, 2014
This book serves as a loud and vibrant call to action to a generation of Americans to take charge of the opportunities they've received to improve the world for all. I can't help but think, though, that Eleanor Roosevelt glosses over some portions of history which contradict her optimistic outlook (the quote on England giving its colonies freedom, for instance).
I agree with her message overall, especially her calls to improve education and fully involve women in all aspects of this country's business, though looking back on this book fifty years later, I can't help but wonder how she would feel about a government which seems to be so afraid of (or apathetic of) and antagonistic towards its youth. Still, a refreshing perspective on the potential of the American people. Absolutely worth reading.
I agree with her message overall, especially her calls to improve education and fully involve women in all aspects of this country's business, though looking back on this book fifty years later, I can't help but wonder how she would feel about a government which seems to be so afraid of (or apathetic of) and antagonistic towards its youth. Still, a refreshing perspective on the potential of the American people. Absolutely worth reading.
January 29, 2013
Allida Black is a preeminent Eleanor Roosevelt historian. Thanks to her vision and dedication to the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, she made it possible through the Roosevelt estate for
Tomorrow is Now,
Eleanor Roosevelt's battle cry of civil rights, to be republished in time for the 50th anniversary of Mrs. Roosevelt's death. Dr. Black wrote the Introduction and President Clinton wrote the Foreword. I found President Clinton's Foreword moving and Dr. Black's Introduction exhilarating. I felt as it I were back in high school and discovering the great minds of this country. Mrs. Roosevelt's t ideas are not dates. We need her vision just as much now as ever in this technological society where people are not connecting and caring for each other.
June 17, 2016
I might have to read this twice to really get it, but I wish EVERYONE in the current politically pool would read it even once, or just the introduction.
December 21, 2020
I have just finished reading the re-released penguin books version of this book and it was such an experience. I valued both the foreword and introduction, as they gave me a really important context about the woman who I thought I generally understood. There was so much more that I needed to know before getting to read her last ever publication before she died. It was especially interesting to read this right now, in the midst of a global and unprecedented moment in history. I can't even imagine what Eleanor Roosevelt would say about this federal administration and its inadequacy, failures, and overall corruption.
I was utterly moved by how passionate and optimistic this woman was, to her very last day. I never thought of Democracy as being meant to allow ALL persons to reach their highest potential. I was never taught about it that way. This is poetic and beautiful. Of course we know this is not the way Democracy has functioned historically, and still fails MANY persons both in our own country as well as those in which we have international relations. ER knew this as well. That did not stop her from using every single day to fight for more, to build coalitions, and to lift people up. (There was a small comment that threw some shade on MLK Jr. which I would like to point out, not sure why that was there.)
One of the themes that continued to come up was, "America the Unready" - how historically we are unprepared for the changes that come with each new year / moment, and the challenges those changes present. Our antiquated belief in "rugged individualism" fails us to plan ahead for both what we know and do not know is coming. This rings TRUE TODAY in the face of a global pandemic, an upcoming recession, and even more broadly, climate change. Also, I have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the United Nations thanks to this book as well, something my high school history classes never instilled in me.
Overall, this renewed a sense of passion in me, for building coalitions and creating change, for believing in my power, and holding our democratic systems accountable. This was short, concise, and easy to create connections to what our world is experiencing today. Tomorrow is in fact now.
I was utterly moved by how passionate and optimistic this woman was, to her very last day. I never thought of Democracy as being meant to allow ALL persons to reach their highest potential. I was never taught about it that way. This is poetic and beautiful. Of course we know this is not the way Democracy has functioned historically, and still fails MANY persons both in our own country as well as those in which we have international relations. ER knew this as well. That did not stop her from using every single day to fight for more, to build coalitions, and to lift people up. (There was a small comment that threw some shade on MLK Jr. which I would like to point out, not sure why that was there.)
One of the themes that continued to come up was, "America the Unready" - how historically we are unprepared for the changes that come with each new year / moment, and the challenges those changes present. Our antiquated belief in "rugged individualism" fails us to plan ahead for both what we know and do not know is coming. This rings TRUE TODAY in the face of a global pandemic, an upcoming recession, and even more broadly, climate change. Also, I have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the United Nations thanks to this book as well, something my high school history classes never instilled in me.
Overall, this renewed a sense of passion in me, for building coalitions and creating change, for believing in my power, and holding our democratic systems accountable. This was short, concise, and easy to create connections to what our world is experiencing today. Tomorrow is in fact now.
July 27, 2014
Eleanor Roosevelt is a personal hero of mine, and this, her final book, displays her energy and wisdom and fundamental optimism.
January 22, 2018
I'm so glad I found this book. While there are a few places where it felt dated, the vast majority of it was so relevant to today that it was eerie. Over and over again, her words seemed to be so tied to the issues and challenges in the news today. She was a big picture thinker and backed up her ideals with specifc steps. She advocates throughout for the need for personal responsibility and engagement in our political system by all citizens. She was constantly looking forward, emphasizing the need for good education, for diversity, for willingness to understand other's point of view and more. This book was published after her death and most of it was dictated while she was dying -- but these are not the words of someone willing to quietly fade away. She was passionate about her patriotism and the beliefs that our country was founded on and aware that democracy is good, but it isn't always easy. I am looking forward to reading more by her and I think a biography of her life would be fascinating.
April 16, 2013
MUST READ. EVERY WOMAN AND EVERY LEADER.
Do not let fear decide your fate - COURAGE!
Do not let fear decide your fate - COURAGE!
September 29, 2017
I have a lot to say about this prescient book which everyone should read, or rather, Ms. Roosevelt has a lot to say. Here are some of the more salient points from my perspective and in light of the Chinese curse-like "interesting" times in which we find ourselves.
She quotes a Mr. Root who wrote 50 years prior (think turn of the century) to the publication of this, her final book, because, as she says, "they represented—a half century ago—the point of view of a man whom no one has ever called a radical, and because the ideas that seemed fifty years out of date (so, ideas from the 1850's) to him then are still held tenaciously by a vociferous group of people who persist in the belief that the US and the world have remained basically unchanged since the colonies became a nation. That makes this pathetic wishful thinking dangerous is the constant attempts are made to apply it to the foreign policy of the US, to domestic policies, to our national defense, to our economy, to widespread social conditions, to education.
To me, one of the strangest features of the extreme right wing position is that its chief rallying cry is its bitter opposition to Communism. In fact, many of these well-meaning people seriously regard themselves as the sole defenders of the American way of life. And yet there are curious parallels between the objectives and the methods of the right and the left.
Let’s take the matter of objectives first. Among the demands of the right wing are: Let’s get rid of the UN. Let’s throw out the PC. Let’s forget about the starving of the world and take care of our own country first. Let’s withdraw from our dealings, particularly economic aid, with those who are seeking to establish a new and better way of life for themselves elsewhere. These are all things that the Communists are trying their best to force us to do!"
Reading this book 50 years post-Eleanor, it's easy to draw parallels between what she descries and our own current national nostalgia with making us great, again, by retreating to the past. As she says, "We cannot turn back to a past historical era and attempt to live there. . . What we need from our past history is to learn its lessons, profit by our mistakes, analyze our successes, find out all that it has to to teach us." And, yes, move on!
She writes this book in the year I was born so for me it's interesting to read what was on people's minds then, such as this: "Changes are coming upon us, and upon the world, at so fantastic a pace that there is no time to waste. Bomb, nuclear power, automation, space exploration, scientific revolution…" A pace that seems snail-like in comparison to today.
Or this: "Post Ww2 Germany, Marshall Plan, Germany has made a spectacular comeback and has been able to absorb into the rank of its unemployed thousands and thousands of refugees from behind the Iron Curtain. Today, France is absorbing refugees from Algeria into its economy and looks upon them as a real benefit. " This is of particular interest, in light of the Syrian refugee crisis.
Again, here, she reiterates why we can't retreat into the past. "Once, however, the benefits of an economic revolution can be understood, once the first signs of improvement are discerned, there can be no turning back. After man discovered the benefit of a house he did not revert to a cave." Right?!
I grew up under the threat of Russia and find it interesting that communism and the Russian threat, specifically interference with our election, is currently being dismissed as, yawn, unimportant. And in light of our current administration's interest in isolation, she writes, "Does anyone really feel that, cut off from allies, from markets, from necessary products for our own industries, we could continue to flourish, that we could be anything but an isolated and impotent island in a Communist sea?"
On becoming an activist, she quotes Frank Nelson, “Actually, it was just a matter of getting down to finally doing what just about everybody thinks is correct and I got tired of sitting around in the living room and discussing how bad thins were and finally decided to see if I could perhaps do something to change things.” Think globally, act locally. But, yes, get off the couch and act!
As the first lady, she states, "The POTUS can lead only if he has followers. It is the voice of America that he must hear clearly.” Hmmmm? Did you say something?
She warns, "Too often, in their homes, children hear great stress put on possessions, as though they were goals and not merely appurtenances. This produces a value concept built on outward achievements, on the purely materialistic, that has done our country so much harm in the eyes of the world and that tends to stimulate a desire to acquire these material possessions, these tokens of “success” rather than to strive for a more abiding and more deeply satisfying value.” Bingo. And this has only increased.
And this, from an era with very few screens, "Of all the nations in the western world, the US with the most money and the most time, has the fewest readers of books per capita. This is an incalculable loss.” Seriously.
She prophesies, "In the long run, I believe, the basic contest of the future will not be settled by bombs but by the amount and quality of education; by the quality of leadership to be developed in the next decade or two. Often, with college students, few seem to know what they are or what their potentialities, where they are going or how, what they ought to do about themselves, their lives, their relations to their government and to the world.”
She has much to say about education, including this, "schools [are] so involved with problems of “life adjustment” they train a child to fit into the group, teach conformity, prepare him to become an organization man.”
And this, "American government should supply funds for college as well as public school education."
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, I agree with her wholeheartedly here, "I believe that we, as a people, are apt to profit more by the work of the PC than are the countries which the PC groups are attempting to help. . . they return with a wider and deeper knowledge and respect for the peoples among whom they have worked, a knowledge which they can bring back and share with us."
The PC currently has some 7000 volunteers. She writes, "Next year, I'd like to see the PC increased to 10,000. What I’d like to see is a way of continuing to use the information and understanding its member bring back from other lands. I’d like to see these young people used in schools or on a kind of loan basis to other countries where their experience might be needed." Still working on that one, I guess.
There is this warning, with which I concur, "There is one vital area of communication where we seem to be going out of the way to damage the picture other people have of us. Books and movies which represent us abroad."
Again, a warning about isolationism, "Suppose the US were to withdraw completely from world affairs. What then? Would we have assured our own independence and sovereignty and safety? Certainly not. Instead we’d lose the only machinery for peace that exists, while the Communist tide would rise unchecked and the bomb would still be there." Here she gives a plea for the United Nations.
Her warning about war, "in each of these wars, everyone on each side was persuaded that his was the cause of righteousness, that he was wielding a flaming sword against the forces of darkness. And the man against whom he fought stood for all the forces of evil." Some things never change.
And this one for the ladies, "It is up to every one of us as individuals to see what can be done, step by step, to create a climate of peace and to provide machinery for keeping it. Here, I feel, there is an urgent need for the women of America to work to strengthen the UN and to spread information about it, its functioning, its value, among the people of the country." Get up, stand up!
A reminder from Emerson, "Long ago Emerson said, “for nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.” That can be attested to by anyone who feels impelled to take an unpopular stand. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the individual to remember that he is himself a unique human being, and that unless he keeps the sharp edges of his personality and the hard core of his integrity intact he will have lost not only all that makes him valuable to himself but all that makes him of value to anyone or anything else."
And last, but not least, a closing reminder for a nation where only half of us voted last year, "In a democracy, it is your business."
Rock on, Eleanor. And thank you for your timely wisdom.
She quotes a Mr. Root who wrote 50 years prior (think turn of the century) to the publication of this, her final book, because, as she says, "they represented—a half century ago—the point of view of a man whom no one has ever called a radical, and because the ideas that seemed fifty years out of date (so, ideas from the 1850's) to him then are still held tenaciously by a vociferous group of people who persist in the belief that the US and the world have remained basically unchanged since the colonies became a nation. That makes this pathetic wishful thinking dangerous is the constant attempts are made to apply it to the foreign policy of the US, to domestic policies, to our national defense, to our economy, to widespread social conditions, to education.
To me, one of the strangest features of the extreme right wing position is that its chief rallying cry is its bitter opposition to Communism. In fact, many of these well-meaning people seriously regard themselves as the sole defenders of the American way of life. And yet there are curious parallels between the objectives and the methods of the right and the left.
Let’s take the matter of objectives first. Among the demands of the right wing are: Let’s get rid of the UN. Let’s throw out the PC. Let’s forget about the starving of the world and take care of our own country first. Let’s withdraw from our dealings, particularly economic aid, with those who are seeking to establish a new and better way of life for themselves elsewhere. These are all things that the Communists are trying their best to force us to do!"
Reading this book 50 years post-Eleanor, it's easy to draw parallels between what she descries and our own current national nostalgia with making us great, again, by retreating to the past. As she says, "We cannot turn back to a past historical era and attempt to live there. . . What we need from our past history is to learn its lessons, profit by our mistakes, analyze our successes, find out all that it has to to teach us." And, yes, move on!
She writes this book in the year I was born so for me it's interesting to read what was on people's minds then, such as this: "Changes are coming upon us, and upon the world, at so fantastic a pace that there is no time to waste. Bomb, nuclear power, automation, space exploration, scientific revolution…" A pace that seems snail-like in comparison to today.
Or this: "Post Ww2 Germany, Marshall Plan, Germany has made a spectacular comeback and has been able to absorb into the rank of its unemployed thousands and thousands of refugees from behind the Iron Curtain. Today, France is absorbing refugees from Algeria into its economy and looks upon them as a real benefit. " This is of particular interest, in light of the Syrian refugee crisis.
Again, here, she reiterates why we can't retreat into the past. "Once, however, the benefits of an economic revolution can be understood, once the first signs of improvement are discerned, there can be no turning back. After man discovered the benefit of a house he did not revert to a cave." Right?!
I grew up under the threat of Russia and find it interesting that communism and the Russian threat, specifically interference with our election, is currently being dismissed as, yawn, unimportant. And in light of our current administration's interest in isolation, she writes, "Does anyone really feel that, cut off from allies, from markets, from necessary products for our own industries, we could continue to flourish, that we could be anything but an isolated and impotent island in a Communist sea?"
On becoming an activist, she quotes Frank Nelson, “Actually, it was just a matter of getting down to finally doing what just about everybody thinks is correct and I got tired of sitting around in the living room and discussing how bad thins were and finally decided to see if I could perhaps do something to change things.” Think globally, act locally. But, yes, get off the couch and act!
As the first lady, she states, "The POTUS can lead only if he has followers. It is the voice of America that he must hear clearly.” Hmmmm? Did you say something?
She warns, "Too often, in their homes, children hear great stress put on possessions, as though they were goals and not merely appurtenances. This produces a value concept built on outward achievements, on the purely materialistic, that has done our country so much harm in the eyes of the world and that tends to stimulate a desire to acquire these material possessions, these tokens of “success” rather than to strive for a more abiding and more deeply satisfying value.” Bingo. And this has only increased.
And this, from an era with very few screens, "Of all the nations in the western world, the US with the most money and the most time, has the fewest readers of books per capita. This is an incalculable loss.” Seriously.
She prophesies, "In the long run, I believe, the basic contest of the future will not be settled by bombs but by the amount and quality of education; by the quality of leadership to be developed in the next decade or two. Often, with college students, few seem to know what they are or what their potentialities, where they are going or how, what they ought to do about themselves, their lives, their relations to their government and to the world.”
She has much to say about education, including this, "schools [are] so involved with problems of “life adjustment” they train a child to fit into the group, teach conformity, prepare him to become an organization man.”
And this, "American government should supply funds for college as well as public school education."
As a former Peace Corps Volunteer, I agree with her wholeheartedly here, "I believe that we, as a people, are apt to profit more by the work of the PC than are the countries which the PC groups are attempting to help. . . they return with a wider and deeper knowledge and respect for the peoples among whom they have worked, a knowledge which they can bring back and share with us."
The PC currently has some 7000 volunteers. She writes, "Next year, I'd like to see the PC increased to 10,000. What I’d like to see is a way of continuing to use the information and understanding its member bring back from other lands. I’d like to see these young people used in schools or on a kind of loan basis to other countries where their experience might be needed." Still working on that one, I guess.
There is this warning, with which I concur, "There is one vital area of communication where we seem to be going out of the way to damage the picture other people have of us. Books and movies which represent us abroad."
Again, a warning about isolationism, "Suppose the US were to withdraw completely from world affairs. What then? Would we have assured our own independence and sovereignty and safety? Certainly not. Instead we’d lose the only machinery for peace that exists, while the Communist tide would rise unchecked and the bomb would still be there." Here she gives a plea for the United Nations.
Her warning about war, "in each of these wars, everyone on each side was persuaded that his was the cause of righteousness, that he was wielding a flaming sword against the forces of darkness. And the man against whom he fought stood for all the forces of evil." Some things never change.
And this one for the ladies, "It is up to every one of us as individuals to see what can be done, step by step, to create a climate of peace and to provide machinery for keeping it. Here, I feel, there is an urgent need for the women of America to work to strengthen the UN and to spread information about it, its functioning, its value, among the people of the country." Get up, stand up!
A reminder from Emerson, "Long ago Emerson said, “for nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.” That can be attested to by anyone who feels impelled to take an unpopular stand. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the individual to remember that he is himself a unique human being, and that unless he keeps the sharp edges of his personality and the hard core of his integrity intact he will have lost not only all that makes him valuable to himself but all that makes him of value to anyone or anything else."
And last, but not least, a closing reminder for a nation where only half of us voted last year, "In a democracy, it is your business."
Rock on, Eleanor. And thank you for your timely wisdom.
August 25, 2025
Some of the points are a little outdated bc this was written so long ago BUT there are many points that Eleanor mentions that are still very relevant to current issues. There’s a reason why I want to name my future child after her lol.
I love to think that if Eleanor Roosevelt was alive, she would love to loudly bully Trump.
I love to think that if Eleanor Roosevelt was alive, she would love to loudly bully Trump.
July 7, 2018
This is still so timely of a read. ER really puts out there what the essence of citizenship in this democracy should be. Would recommend it to every citizen.
January 5, 2025
Good egg, old Eleanor. Published in 63, but highly relevant today. Trump, Musk and that mob could do with thumbing through a few pages.
March 31, 2016
The year 2000 sounds remote, far away. Is it?
How right you were, Eleanor. How right you were. The thing is, I didn't recognize just how right you were until I read your manifesto. Let me put this into perspective: In the book, Roosevelt called all Americans to rally to not fall behind in the world, to keep pushing forward in all areas, to continue the fight for equality for all. I swear the disturbingly large number of parallels between Roosevelt's 1960s America and our 2010s America makes one realize that we still have such a long way to go.
Take for example Roosevelt's mention of the dreaded l-word -- liberal. (Feel the chills slithering down your spine?) In here, Roosevelt mentioned the demonization of the word, derived from the word free, by Hitler for those who dared to oppose him. Do we not see that now in America? What about with the dreaded c-word? (No, not that one: Communist.) Don't we all know someone who calls someone else a communist for disagreeing slightly with our current system, or someone who drops an l-bomb whenever someone mentions helping the less fortunate rather than forcing them to do it themselves, or someone who turns "Ted Cruz, Zodiac Killer" when they feel that someone is not blindly patriotic enough? I sure do, and I'm sure that you do too.
Roosevelt delivered her message in such a powerful way. She help nothing back, and she threw some major shade. Yet what was most fascinating about this was her passion. It's obvious that she wrote this with the good of her country at heart. I know it's all too popular to accuse all our politicians of being lazy, elitist, and self-motivated, but Roosevelt is a powerful reminder that there are still people who truly do have all of our interests at heart? (Don't believe me? Read this book and compare her message to a certain Vermont senator and Massachusetts senator.)
I recognize the silliness of this statement and how confused Eleanor Roosevelt would be if I could somehow say this to her, but Eleanor Roosevelt is my WCW all day every day. That's my reaction to this book, and that's my reaction to this woman.
July 26, 2016
Extremely well written, to the point, and scarily pertinent.
It encouraged me to broaden my perspective. As she wrote multiple times in the book "The world cannot be understood from a single point of view."
It also encouraged me to take more personal responsibility. She quotes Woodrow Wilson: "Self-government is not a mere form of institution, to be had when desired, if only proper pains be taken. It is a form of character. It follows upon the long discipline which gives a people self-possession, self-mastery, the habit of order and peace and common counsel and a reverence for law which will not fail when they themselves become makes of law: the steadiness and self-control of political maturity. And these things cannot be had without long discipline."
All in all, I highly recommend reading this book; it's definitely worth the (not very long) time it took to read it.
It encouraged me to broaden my perspective. As she wrote multiple times in the book "The world cannot be understood from a single point of view."
It also encouraged me to take more personal responsibility. She quotes Woodrow Wilson: "Self-government is not a mere form of institution, to be had when desired, if only proper pains be taken. It is a form of character. It follows upon the long discipline which gives a people self-possession, self-mastery, the habit of order and peace and common counsel and a reverence for law which will not fail when they themselves become makes of law: the steadiness and self-control of political maturity. And these things cannot be had without long discipline."
All in all, I highly recommend reading this book; it's definitely worth the (not very long) time it took to read it.
May 11, 2018
"It is my conviction that there is almost no area of life which we cannot transform according to our own desires if we want something badly enough, if we have faith in it, and if we work for it with all our hearts. It is not too much to say that every bad situation is a result of apathy, of lack of planning, of individuals who think, 'After all, it's not my business.'
Of course, it is our business, yours and mine."
Of course, it is our business, yours and mine."
January 31, 2013
Great section on education. Very pertinent to the mentality of education today. Zoned out a bit on Roosevelt's spiel about America's place in the world etc., but overall wise words crammed into a very short book.
June 23, 2017
Still relevant. Inspiring. Audacious.
February 12, 2018
Interesting book. Lots of correlation to what we are dealing with now.
August 12, 2018
I am involved in a research project focusing on the four pillars of women, peace and security, emanating from the United Nations' Security Council (UNSCR) Resolution 1325. So I have been doing a number of courses by UN Women and learning about the UN's "gender mainstreaming" project. The basic premise is that gender matters in how people experience their rights, and from here, I decided to read some of Eleanor Roosevelt's work because she was instrumental in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Without Roosevelt, the document that has become so important as a guiding principle for much of the UN's work may not have come to fruition. There are many critiques of the universality of the declaration, because it starts with a liberal premise, as in the individual is key. I have Roosevelt's autobiography to read at a later stage, but this work intrigued me as it has an introduction by Bill Clinton, and Roosevelt (effectively) stayed alive to finish the book, and died soon after it was completed. (The book was published a few months after her death.) There is much that will make the "Yay, Democracy" crowd happy, and it is clear that the examined life is her idea of the right life:
Self-government requires self-examination, action by the individual, standards, values, and the strength to live up to them.This is not too far from Mortimer Adler's idea of The Great Conversation. Roosevelt was sceptical of science, and no doubt would have disapproved of the "I f*#king love science" crowd, channelling Huxley and Orwell (p. 123):
...each provided us with an appalling picture of the future of mankind, a life dominated by scientific method in which the humanities and the human spirit had been destroyed... [rather than] use science as an enlightened tool to make this world closer to a Utopia than man has ever dreamed.Nothing for me to disagree with here, but I attended a number of research presentations lately looking at post-colonial African politics, and the findings were disturbing. So much of the liberal tradition does not readily apply to the rest of the world. I recall Theodore Roosevelt's Autobiography (he was Eleanor's uncle) where the politics of the United States were so corrupt at the beginning of the 20th century, more than 100 years after democracy had been instituted. How are poor, post-colonial countries meant to transition to democracy (which assumes that in itself is a good thing) in a few years when it took the world superpower over a century? These are the questions that concerned me as I read Roosevelt's ideal future. But it certainly fits with my own liberal ideals, for example (p. 124):
I have emphasised in this book two areas in which we must begin preparation today: education and the essential need of sparking in a new, deep, and fervent sense of responsibility in every individual.Yet I immediately think of Margaret Thatcher and the extreme ends of individualism - all extremes lead to the same rot. That is not to say that Roosevelt's work isn't important, or that it isn't timeless. But is is certainly worth questioning from a non-liberal perspective. The ideas of the United States are seen as a panacea for the ills of the world, and I just can't see how that idealism means much today. In her life she achieved so many things and many of these were of benefit to those who needed it most. She saw the benefits of education and travel, and was impressed by her grandson's education in the Peace Corps - he learnt that systems of manners are as important as fast access to clean drinking water, and that honouring one's culture enables collective action, so she was certainly not an individualist in the modern sense. Rather than find value in this work as a program for the world, I found value in the program for the self, or, to quote James Allen (1921, p. 48)
...he who has conquered self has conquered the universe.For Seneca Daily Stoic, p. 241):
Many words have been spoken by Plato, Zeno, Chrysippus, Posidonius, and by a whole host of equally excellent Stoics. I'll tell you how people can prove their words to be their own - by putting into practice what they've been preaching.Eleanor Roosevelt personifies this idea: actions speak louder than words.
January 25, 2018
Sanity from our history
Vintage Eleanor Roosevelt. Written in the moths just before her death On November 7, 1962, This Boka is an informed and sweeping view of the United States of America in the first 60 years of the 20th century it is a carefully reasoned argument for citizens taking responsibility for understanding how the world had changed, for working toward fulfilling America’s promises for all citizens, for being part of solving the real problems of real people not only in America but around the world, for building peace by mutual disarmament, for helping to make the UN a force for world peace, and for doing the hard work of understanding and preparing for the future that was fast arriving.
I started college the same fall this book was published. Reading this book was an exercise in revisiting my roots and the trajectory of my life and the history of this country over the past 55 years.
What struck me is how relevant the author’s points remain.
For discussion: how do we—she would mean you and I as individuals—move past fear of the future? How do we become the community of understanding and cooperation and compromise that our nation needed then and needs now? How do we understand each other and work together to improve the circumstances of all Americans?
This book illustrates one if her main points: we can study and learn from our history and our mistakes, or we can blindly ignore our history and repeat the mistakes.
Vintage Eleanor Roosevelt. Written in the moths just before her death On November 7, 1962, This Boka is an informed and sweeping view of the United States of America in the first 60 years of the 20th century it is a carefully reasoned argument for citizens taking responsibility for understanding how the world had changed, for working toward fulfilling America’s promises for all citizens, for being part of solving the real problems of real people not only in America but around the world, for building peace by mutual disarmament, for helping to make the UN a force for world peace, and for doing the hard work of understanding and preparing for the future that was fast arriving.
I started college the same fall this book was published. Reading this book was an exercise in revisiting my roots and the trajectory of my life and the history of this country over the past 55 years.
What struck me is how relevant the author’s points remain.
For discussion: how do we—she would mean you and I as individuals—move past fear of the future? How do we become the community of understanding and cooperation and compromise that our nation needed then and needs now? How do we understand each other and work together to improve the circumstances of all Americans?
This book illustrates one if her main points: we can study and learn from our history and our mistakes, or we can blindly ignore our history and repeat the mistakes.
April 4, 2019
Tomorrow is Now offers up a wealth of great advice and wisdom for a younger generation. Many of the chapters I found myself thinking how right Mrs Roosevelt was and how far ahead of her time. Many of the forthcoming issues she could see on the horizon have come to the fore of political dialog today. Things like automation and our struggling educational system...issues which are cast aside and do not gain political traction but which will most certainly continue to lead to a degradation in our populace and weaken our democracy.
In her final chapters she carries the reader through an inspiring motivational speech which asks Americans to abandon apathy and fear in favor of action and bravery. I worry that if nothing is done to address her other concerns in the book, however, this speech will fall on deaf ears. This book should be required reading in American Government classes across the country. But if you’ve missed this chance to read it, consider reading it forthwith. Because as Eleanor Roosevelt implies, don’t put off action until tomorrow, tomorrow is now.
In her final chapters she carries the reader through an inspiring motivational speech which asks Americans to abandon apathy and fear in favor of action and bravery. I worry that if nothing is done to address her other concerns in the book, however, this speech will fall on deaf ears. This book should be required reading in American Government classes across the country. But if you’ve missed this chance to read it, consider reading it forthwith. Because as Eleanor Roosevelt implies, don’t put off action until tomorrow, tomorrow is now.
December 24, 2018
A little dated in some statements about Communism and Race, a little naive in its trust that people will deal with each other in good faith in a forum like the United Nations (I cynically commented “interesting that eleanor has so much faith in the power of talking to other nations. she seems to assume that everyone will deal in good faith. in this country today we don't even expect our politicians and pundits to tell the truth to us. that's why we have fact checkers,” but an inspiring and hopeful read. I think she was pretty perceptive, and I am saddened to think that many of the situations she describes negatively remain uncorrected today.
January 19, 2022
An absolute must-read. She has written a remarkable series of essays on matters plaguing our societies and our planet today, all from a non-aligned, unbiased perspective, as opposed to being one-sided.
Whilst she provides arguments against communism for example, and effectively demonstrates just how outdated it is - she does not hold it in contempt and does not go out of her way to excessively criticise the ideology - or the Soviets. Instead, she offers positive thoughts on states that today's politicians excessively demonise... like the USSR, Iran, Israel... and provides well-researched arguments alongside it.
10/10. Not much to say here, really. Didn't have any particular thoughts.
Whilst she provides arguments against communism for example, and effectively demonstrates just how outdated it is - she does not hold it in contempt and does not go out of her way to excessively criticise the ideology - or the Soviets. Instead, she offers positive thoughts on states that today's politicians excessively demonise... like the USSR, Iran, Israel... and provides well-researched arguments alongside it.
10/10. Not much to say here, really. Didn't have any particular thoughts.
August 21, 2020
The issue with ”modern” contexts is they don't stay modern for long. The legacy of FDR really isn't tied to the Clintons at all, never was, but they're shoehorned in there any way.
Bernie, sure. No question. That would fit going forward.
Anywho.
Aside from a few tech mentions and dated political references this book is both encouragingly and depressing modern. She speaks of great progress in her lifetime, but since?
I mean, some. But in comparison?
But the struggle and she says this often, will take time.
But she would unquestionably adore Bernie. Just putting it out there.
Bernie, sure. No question. That would fit going forward.
Anywho.
Aside from a few tech mentions and dated political references this book is both encouragingly and depressing modern. She speaks of great progress in her lifetime, but since?
I mean, some. But in comparison?
But the struggle and she says this often, will take time.
But she would unquestionably adore Bernie. Just putting it out there.
April 24, 2024
I bought this book while at the FDR museum and Presidential library in Hyde Park, New York.
I knew very little about Eleanor Roosevelt before reading this book. This book was written in 1962, right before Eleanor Roosevelt's death. This is a new edition published in 2012 with a forward by Bill Clinton.
This book is outstanding. It could have been written today. Mrs. Roosevelt's views on education, civil rights, science, politics,the United States status in the world all are relevant today.
I recommend that everyone read this remarkable book by Eleanor Roosevelt.
I knew very little about Eleanor Roosevelt before reading this book. This book was written in 1962, right before Eleanor Roosevelt's death. This is a new edition published in 2012 with a forward by Bill Clinton.
This book is outstanding. It could have been written today. Mrs. Roosevelt's views on education, civil rights, science, politics,the United States status in the world all are relevant today.
I recommend that everyone read this remarkable book by Eleanor Roosevelt.
May 31, 2018
Eleanor Roosevelts final book that she wrote before her death. Eleanor was not a perfect woman, but she was an amazing woman, and was especially amazing for the time in which she lived. I have to admit I highlighted multiple paragraphs and lines in this book, and it is interesting how so many of the issues she wrote about in 1963 are still major issues today. It is too bad our nation has not made more progress.
June 26, 2017
Profound and quite prescient essays about how this country is great and can remain so. Although some of the examples are a little dated (that is culturally naive), the overall premise for each topic is spot on, especially in this political climate. There is certainly a lot of food for thought and worth a conversation in current times.
May 25, 2020
This book was published after Eleanor Roosevelt passed away. It was the last thing she wrote. Although that was in 1962 a lot in the book is relevant today. The book has a Forward by former President Bill Clinton and an introduction (with footnotes) by Allida Black that was very informative and should be read and not skipped over. It is a very short book and worthy of reading.
August 7, 2017
Tomorrow might be now, but reading this 55 years after original publication shows us that yesterday is now too. A reminder to keep fighting, but also upsetting to see how many issues seem so intractable as to be nearly unchanged.
April 20, 2025
Relevant Read for now. Go for it. Easy to read.
I feel like I know more of Eleanor Roosevelt relevancy in being the first, First Lady equal to her husband FDR, U.S.President. Too bad their are not more people in today's government who embrace her ethos.
I feel like I know more of Eleanor Roosevelt relevancy in being the first, First Lady equal to her husband FDR, U.S.President. Too bad their are not more people in today's government who embrace her ethos.
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