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Eleanor Roosevelt #2
Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 2: The Defining Years, 1933-38
Historians, politicians, feminists, critics, and reviewers everywhere have praised Blanche Wiesen Cook's monumental Eleanor Roosevelt as the definitive portrait of this towering female figure of the twentieth century. Now in her long-awaited, majestic second volume, Cook takes readers through the 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 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.
736 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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About the author
Blanche Wiesen Cook
30 books106 followersBlanche Wiesen Cook (born April 20, 1941 in New York City), Distinguished Professor of history at John Jay College in the City University of New York, is the author of Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume One 1884–1933, a Los Angeles Times Book Prize winning biography of Eleanor Roosevelt....Ms.Cook, who is openly gay, is also the author of Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume 2 , The Defining Years, 1933–1938, and The Declassified Eisenhower: A Divided Legacy of Peace and Political Warfare. On October 21, 2013, the historian Douglas Brinkley mentioned on the television program "First Ladies" on CSPAN, that Professor Cook was currently writing Volume 3 of her Eleanor Roosevelt series.
She received the Bill Whitehead Award for Lifetime Achievement from Publishing Triangle in 2010.
(from Wikipedia)
She received the Bill Whitehead Award for Lifetime Achievement from Publishing Triangle in 2010.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
May 17, 2017
This second volume covers a much shorter time period – from 1933 to 1938. These are definitely key years in the history of the United States with Franklin Roosevelt attempting to overcome the effects of the Depression – and, throughout the world, with Nazism and Fascism on the rise in Germany, Italy and Japan.
Eleanor Roosevelt was at the forefront of it all. As described in this book she is constantly on the move – giving speeches, writing articles and books, and meeting with diverse groups of people. She was always open to new ideas. She was progressive and left-leaning – espousing a multitude of causes – from women’s rights to the growing plight of refugees (mostly Jewish people fleeing from the reprehensible rule of Hitler’s Germany). She inserted herself into a multitude of causes that she was passionate about.
Her most fervent cause was that of the plight of African Americans through-out the U.S. – most particularly in the Southern States. This was at a time when Washington DC itself was still under Jim Crow. Eleanor brought several African Americans to the White House including women who were in prison; prison reform being another cause that Eleanor was involved in. When she toured the South she was told that audiences had to be segregated, so when she was not the featured speaker she would place her chair in between the black and white audiences. Pictures of her with African Americans, even with small black children, caused a tremendous uproar, for which she was vilified. She campaigned, along with many others, to make lynching a crime. Very sadly she was unsuccessful in this, which shows the strength and ignorance of the conservative faction in U.S. politics of that era.
The enormity and significance of Eleanor Roosevelt’s actions cannot be over-emphasized. She often disagreed publicly with some of her husbands’ weak-kneed efforts at reform – particularly his lack of legislation to make the U.S. racially equal. She also encouraged the growth of unions which were instrumental in outlawing child labour, lowering the hours of work, and making a minimum wage.
For all these activities she was labelled a communist, a Red, a threat to democratic America, a threat to Anglo-Saxon values... This did not faze her and she did have millions of admirers who encouraged her actions for the rights of all Americans. Eleanor Roosevelt was a crusader for “Human Rights” before the term was invented (after the Second World War she was instrumental, along with others, in making, for the newly created United Nations “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”).
There are two flaws in this second volume.
It is too American centric.
Page 177 (my book)
America’s commitment to segregation and its ghastly habit of public lynching, unpunished and unopposed, emboldened Nazis in Europe.
The author over-emphasizes the importance of the U.S. on events in Europe – particularly on influencing Nazi Germany (like the above statement). The Nazis in Germany needed no examples from the U.S. to deter (or encourage) them in their destruction of Jewish culture – and Western Civilization. It was indeed disingenuous of Americans to criticize Nazi racist policies when their own country persecuted and disenfranchised millions of African Americans. Eleanor Roosevelt was cognisant of this.
Hitler was much more concerned with France, England, and the Soviet Union. The author, at times, writes as if the U.S. was a player in European affairs, it wasn’t.
It was always interesting to learn of Eleanor Roosevelt’s’ friendships – and she had many. She was a non-stop communicator. So it was vey difficult for her friends to have a one-to-one personal friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt – such was the case with Lorena Hickok. This leads to the second flaw in this book. There are just too many references to this friendship with Lorena, using quotes from letters which for the most part are repetitive and superficial. This took away from the book’s flow.
Otherwise some of her friendship portrayals are of great interest with interesting psychological aspects high-lighted. Her husband Franklin, for example, was much less emotional than Eleanor. He would never betray his inner feelings, but his door was always open. By contrast Eleanor would literally freeze people out of her life.
So with the two above caveats, this book is a captivating portrayal of a First Lady who was unlike any other - before or since!
Eleanor Roosevelt was at the forefront of it all. As described in this book she is constantly on the move – giving speeches, writing articles and books, and meeting with diverse groups of people. She was always open to new ideas. She was progressive and left-leaning – espousing a multitude of causes – from women’s rights to the growing plight of refugees (mostly Jewish people fleeing from the reprehensible rule of Hitler’s Germany). She inserted herself into a multitude of causes that she was passionate about.
Her most fervent cause was that of the plight of African Americans through-out the U.S. – most particularly in the Southern States. This was at a time when Washington DC itself was still under Jim Crow. Eleanor brought several African Americans to the White House including women who were in prison; prison reform being another cause that Eleanor was involved in. When she toured the South she was told that audiences had to be segregated, so when she was not the featured speaker she would place her chair in between the black and white audiences. Pictures of her with African Americans, even with small black children, caused a tremendous uproar, for which she was vilified. She campaigned, along with many others, to make lynching a crime. Very sadly she was unsuccessful in this, which shows the strength and ignorance of the conservative faction in U.S. politics of that era.
The enormity and significance of Eleanor Roosevelt’s actions cannot be over-emphasized. She often disagreed publicly with some of her husbands’ weak-kneed efforts at reform – particularly his lack of legislation to make the U.S. racially equal. She also encouraged the growth of unions which were instrumental in outlawing child labour, lowering the hours of work, and making a minimum wage.
For all these activities she was labelled a communist, a Red, a threat to democratic America, a threat to Anglo-Saxon values... This did not faze her and she did have millions of admirers who encouraged her actions for the rights of all Americans. Eleanor Roosevelt was a crusader for “Human Rights” before the term was invented (after the Second World War she was instrumental, along with others, in making, for the newly created United Nations “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”).
There are two flaws in this second volume.
It is too American centric.
Page 177 (my book)
America’s commitment to segregation and its ghastly habit of public lynching, unpunished and unopposed, emboldened Nazis in Europe.
The author over-emphasizes the importance of the U.S. on events in Europe – particularly on influencing Nazi Germany (like the above statement). The Nazis in Germany needed no examples from the U.S. to deter (or encourage) them in their destruction of Jewish culture – and Western Civilization. It was indeed disingenuous of Americans to criticize Nazi racist policies when their own country persecuted and disenfranchised millions of African Americans. Eleanor Roosevelt was cognisant of this.
Hitler was much more concerned with France, England, and the Soviet Union. The author, at times, writes as if the U.S. was a player in European affairs, it wasn’t.
It was always interesting to learn of Eleanor Roosevelt’s’ friendships – and she had many. She was a non-stop communicator. So it was vey difficult for her friends to have a one-to-one personal friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt – such was the case with Lorena Hickok. This leads to the second flaw in this book. There are just too many references to this friendship with Lorena, using quotes from letters which for the most part are repetitive and superficial. This took away from the book’s flow.
Otherwise some of her friendship portrayals are of great interest with interesting psychological aspects high-lighted. Her husband Franklin, for example, was much less emotional than Eleanor. He would never betray his inner feelings, but his door was always open. By contrast Eleanor would literally freeze people out of her life.
So with the two above caveats, this book is a captivating portrayal of a First Lady who was unlike any other - before or since!
July 13, 2012
It's possible that my high rating is influenced by my delight at FINALLY finishing this book, but only slightly; it was truly an enjoyable and informative read. Eleanor Roosevelt is the Mary Poppins bag of historical figures -- every time I think I understand her, she surprises me. (And every time I start to put her on a pedestal, she frustrates or disappoints me. Kudos to Cook for her honest portrayal.) As in Volume 1, Cook did a masterful job of capturing ER's personal and professional story, weaving it into the larger story of pre-WWII America and beyond. Considering ER's dizzyingly full life and the world-altering events of the 1930s, the result is a real page-turner (as 500+ page biographies go, anyway).
January 16, 2009
Like Cook's first volume about Eleanor Roosevelt, this is an excellent book, well researched and well written. I can't help thinking how easily ER could have been a different person. She had the money and position to indulge herself in gratifying her own personal desires. And she had the background of tragedy and grief that could easily have been used to justify selfishness. And yet she chose to devote her life to helping others with almost unbelievable energy and self-sacrifice. To be "of use," as she put it. What an inspiration she remains, decades after her death. I hope Cook will produce a last installment of this extraordinary life.
December 1, 2018
A delight. Revealed: ER was a terrible cook but a brilliant politician. I would highly recommend this biographical series to anybody who cares about the history of Women's Rights, White House gossip, New Deal politics, and how-to-become-a-tour-de-force-in-politics-even-if-your-husband-is-a-cheating-weasel.
June 9, 2008
In the first volume of her series on Eleanor Roosevelt, Blanche Wiesen Cook, a historian and women’s studies professor, introduced us to a compelling historical figure who, after years of living in passive submission to her husband and mother-in-law, had finally broken free to create her own "independent life" – a life filled with careers (teacher, writer, public speaker) and fulfilling private friendships. In volume two, Eleanor Roosevelt faces the challenge of keeping her independent life as she assumes the traditionally social (and passive) role of First Lady. "Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume Two, 1933 – 1938" contemplates Eleanor Roosevelt's life during the first five years of her husband's presidency.
In her first volume on Eleanor Roosevelt, Cook took a feminist approach in asking questions about power, relationships, and identity. Unfortunately, volume two falls short of the first volume, in leaving many of these questions not only unanswered, but sometimes even unasked. Whereas the central theme of volume one was Eleanor's struggle to assert herself as an "independent power," in volume two, we are not just reading the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, but also the parallel story of her husband and his presidency, which places Eleanor Roosevelt in a dependent role as she must work her way into her husband's political circle to gain influence. In fact, too often, volume two devolves into a story of FDR's presidency and Eleanor's reaction to it, rather than the story of Eleanor Roosevelt as an individual, independent agent. Eleanor is often portrayed as dependent on FDR for power, her moods uplifted when his speeches reflect her views and depressed and cold when they don't, particularly when she is shut out from the inner circle and has to learn about what is going on from her own son. While she occasionally dissents from the administration’s talking points, her writing and speaking career is now primarily aimed at advancing FDR's policies. The most disappointing example of Eleanor's capitulation to her husband is on the subject of the Holocaust, where she remains silent from 1933 to 1938. When a German refugee appeals to Eleanor Roosevelt's sense of justice, asking, "Can you really stand by and watch this? Can you stand and see us more or less all gassed? I should like to have your word, you will do something," Eleanor Roosevelt replies, "Unfortunately, in my present position I am obliged to leave all contacts with foreign governments in the hands of my husband and his advisers." Obviously, Eleanor Roosevelt does gain power within FDR's political circle, but it is never clear what the extent and significance of this power really is.
Another central theme in volume one was how Eleanor Roosevelt's relationship with a new circle of feminist and lesbian friends helped her create her own life apart from FDR. After Eleanor discovered FDR's infidelity with Lucy Mercer, and they began living separately, Eleanor established her own new life at Val-Kill, a residence she shared with Nancy Cook and Marion Dickerman. In addition, Eleanor made her first true friend in Lorena Hickok, an established reporter with the Associated Press. In volume two, these relationships all dissolve, as Eleanor acrimoniously splits with Cook and Dickerman and drifts apart from Hickok. Hickok, in fact, is the key figure in volume two, as her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt is chronicled in painful detail. While their relationship is clearly the most important in Eleanor's life during her time as First Lady, it unfortunately takes a bit of a tragic turn as Hickok gives up her job with the AP, and along with it, her self-respect, becoming dependent on Eleanor Roosevelt for work, in addition to financial and emotional support. As Hickok grows increasingly depressed and resentful of Eleanor's other friends and busy schedule, they continue to drift apart, to the point where, when they do share a vacation alone together, Eleanor is miserable, missing her work and eager to return to her life as First Lady. As Eleanor Roosevelt drifts away from the friends who were so important to her in first creating her own independent life, it is clear that her interests and priorities have changed. Her political life is now the most important thing in her life.
What does this say about Eleanor Roosevelt's identity? This is the final question then left to be answered. Unfortunately, the question is never even posed to readers. Does it matter that Eleanor Roosevelt depends on her husband for power and she no longer has an independent role of her own? What does it say that she pulls Lorena Hickok into a dependent relationship where she retains all the power? Why is her public life more important to her than her private relationships? What, in fact, is her new identity? While in volume one, we are left with the image of Eleanor Roosevelt as an independent woman, pursuing her own career interests and developing her own loyal set of friends apart from FDR, in volume two, we are mostly left with an image of Eleanor Roosevelt not as an independent force, but as the First Lady, a woman who keeps a busy schedule and cares for a lot of causes and people, but none in particular.
In focusing on the day-to-day details of Eleanor Roosevelt's life and FDR’s administration, "Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume Two, 1933 – 1938" reads more like a timeline from a boring history text – a list of dates and facts – than a compelling biography of Eleanor Roosevelt the person, her priorities and main accomplishments. In trying to tell two stories – first, of the political movement behind the New Deal and, second, of the role Eleanor Roosevelt carves out for herself within her husband’s administration – ultimately Cook fails to tell either story.
In her first volume on Eleanor Roosevelt, Cook took a feminist approach in asking questions about power, relationships, and identity. Unfortunately, volume two falls short of the first volume, in leaving many of these questions not only unanswered, but sometimes even unasked. Whereas the central theme of volume one was Eleanor's struggle to assert herself as an "independent power," in volume two, we are not just reading the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, but also the parallel story of her husband and his presidency, which places Eleanor Roosevelt in a dependent role as she must work her way into her husband's political circle to gain influence. In fact, too often, volume two devolves into a story of FDR's presidency and Eleanor's reaction to it, rather than the story of Eleanor Roosevelt as an individual, independent agent. Eleanor is often portrayed as dependent on FDR for power, her moods uplifted when his speeches reflect her views and depressed and cold when they don't, particularly when she is shut out from the inner circle and has to learn about what is going on from her own son. While she occasionally dissents from the administration’s talking points, her writing and speaking career is now primarily aimed at advancing FDR's policies. The most disappointing example of Eleanor's capitulation to her husband is on the subject of the Holocaust, where she remains silent from 1933 to 1938. When a German refugee appeals to Eleanor Roosevelt's sense of justice, asking, "Can you really stand by and watch this? Can you stand and see us more or less all gassed? I should like to have your word, you will do something," Eleanor Roosevelt replies, "Unfortunately, in my present position I am obliged to leave all contacts with foreign governments in the hands of my husband and his advisers." Obviously, Eleanor Roosevelt does gain power within FDR's political circle, but it is never clear what the extent and significance of this power really is.
Another central theme in volume one was how Eleanor Roosevelt's relationship with a new circle of feminist and lesbian friends helped her create her own life apart from FDR. After Eleanor discovered FDR's infidelity with Lucy Mercer, and they began living separately, Eleanor established her own new life at Val-Kill, a residence she shared with Nancy Cook and Marion Dickerman. In addition, Eleanor made her first true friend in Lorena Hickok, an established reporter with the Associated Press. In volume two, these relationships all dissolve, as Eleanor acrimoniously splits with Cook and Dickerman and drifts apart from Hickok. Hickok, in fact, is the key figure in volume two, as her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt is chronicled in painful detail. While their relationship is clearly the most important in Eleanor's life during her time as First Lady, it unfortunately takes a bit of a tragic turn as Hickok gives up her job with the AP, and along with it, her self-respect, becoming dependent on Eleanor Roosevelt for work, in addition to financial and emotional support. As Hickok grows increasingly depressed and resentful of Eleanor's other friends and busy schedule, they continue to drift apart, to the point where, when they do share a vacation alone together, Eleanor is miserable, missing her work and eager to return to her life as First Lady. As Eleanor Roosevelt drifts away from the friends who were so important to her in first creating her own independent life, it is clear that her interests and priorities have changed. Her political life is now the most important thing in her life.
What does this say about Eleanor Roosevelt's identity? This is the final question then left to be answered. Unfortunately, the question is never even posed to readers. Does it matter that Eleanor Roosevelt depends on her husband for power and she no longer has an independent role of her own? What does it say that she pulls Lorena Hickok into a dependent relationship where she retains all the power? Why is her public life more important to her than her private relationships? What, in fact, is her new identity? While in volume one, we are left with the image of Eleanor Roosevelt as an independent woman, pursuing her own career interests and developing her own loyal set of friends apart from FDR, in volume two, we are mostly left with an image of Eleanor Roosevelt not as an independent force, but as the First Lady, a woman who keeps a busy schedule and cares for a lot of causes and people, but none in particular.
In focusing on the day-to-day details of Eleanor Roosevelt's life and FDR’s administration, "Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume Two, 1933 – 1938" reads more like a timeline from a boring history text – a list of dates and facts – than a compelling biography of Eleanor Roosevelt the person, her priorities and main accomplishments. In trying to tell two stories – first, of the political movement behind the New Deal and, second, of the role Eleanor Roosevelt carves out for herself within her husband’s administration – ultimately Cook fails to tell either story.
November 10, 2023
This book seemed to take forever to finish. I think that 600 pages to cover 5 years of ER’s life is perhaps too much detail. I did appreciate learning more about ER’s evolution into supporting civil rights and speaking up for marginalized people. Her humanitarian work is truly amazing. I learned a lot about the New Deal programs and the lead up to WWII. I will get to Volume III sometime to round out the whole trilogy.
July 12, 2017
Very thorough, very enjoyable.
I've loved reading about the Roosevelts, for some reason, since I was very young. I've read Joseph Lash's books and Doris Kearns Goodwin's. Last summer I read "Hissing Cousins" about Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. I've watched the PBS series about the Roosevelt's. And yet, I can still learn something new.
Much of the information in this book comes from letters. I'd read this one again.
I've loved reading about the Roosevelts, for some reason, since I was very young. I've read Joseph Lash's books and Doris Kearns Goodwin's. Last summer I read "Hissing Cousins" about Eleanor and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. I've watched the PBS series about the Roosevelt's. And yet, I can still learn something new.
Much of the information in this book comes from letters. I'd read this one again.
March 6, 2017
The Women's National Book Association sent this book to the White House today (March 6) in honor of Women's History Month: https://www.wnba-centennial.org/book-...
From the Women's National Book Association's press release:
Volume 2 chronicles Roosevelt's first six years as America's most controversial first lady and maps her contributions to the New Deal. When Eleanor discovered her husband’s marital infidelities, she decided not to divorce him, but to create a new marital partnership that allowed both of them freedom and gave her the space to forge her own career while forming a female support network.
From the Women's National Book Association's press release:
Volume 2 chronicles Roosevelt's first six years as America's most controversial first lady and maps her contributions to the New Deal. When Eleanor discovered her husband’s marital infidelities, she decided not to divorce him, but to create a new marital partnership that allowed both of them freedom and gave her the space to forge her own career while forming a female support network.
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March 6, 2007I'm on Volume 2...first volume was amazing, this one's looking just as good!
February 17, 2017
Quite some time ago, the Hofstra Alumni Book Club chose to read the first volume of Blanche Wiesen Cook's comprehensive biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. I was so impressed with it that I promised myself I would read volume II. I then moved on to other great books and forgot all about it. When I saw that the third volume became available in recorded form, I decided that it was time to read volume II.
As can be seen from the title, this volume deals with the first five years of F.D.R.'s presidency.
There are many reasons to recommend this book. Chief among them is that the author does an amazing job portraying this very complex and sometimes contradictory woman.
If you think that first ladies do little more than support their spouses while taking on a pet cause or two, you will be surprised by what you will learn. E.R. (as she is referred to throughout this book) accomplished more in her life than ten ordinary people put together. Her contributions to the causes of women's rights, equality for black people, education, the arts, and in many other areas are astounding. At one point, Wiesen Cook mentions a NEW YORK TIMES editorial which argued that she would have made a great president. After reading this biography, it would be next to impossible to argue the point.
With that said, E.R. was not always consistent or predictable. There were many times when she spoke out for causes in which she believed even though her viewpoints didn't correspond with those of her husband. However, her response to the rise of the Nazi movement, (or, rather, her lack of response) is incredibly distressing to contemplate. I understand that there were times when she felt that she had to support her husband for the good of the country, but, given her strong personality and her willingness to publicly challenge him from time to time, her silence is shocking indeed.
There would be no way to tell the story of E.R.'s life without devoting time to her relationship with reporter Lorena Hickcock. Historians differ about whether they had a lesbian relationship, though Hickcock was a lesbian. E.R.'s letters would seem to indicate that the couple was romantically involved, but it can be argued that this had more to do with Eleanor's rather flowery writing style than with anything else. This is certainly an important aspect of E.R.'s life which cannot and should not be ignored. With that said, I got rather tired of reading about it after a while. The relationship is quite complex and interesting, but these portions of the book could definitely have used some editing.
If you wish to read a fascinating portrait of an accomplished woman who lived during a most interesting time in American history, this is the book for you. Volume III will be my next read.
As can be seen from the title, this volume deals with the first five years of F.D.R.'s presidency.
There are many reasons to recommend this book. Chief among them is that the author does an amazing job portraying this very complex and sometimes contradictory woman.
If you think that first ladies do little more than support their spouses while taking on a pet cause or two, you will be surprised by what you will learn. E.R. (as she is referred to throughout this book) accomplished more in her life than ten ordinary people put together. Her contributions to the causes of women's rights, equality for black people, education, the arts, and in many other areas are astounding. At one point, Wiesen Cook mentions a NEW YORK TIMES editorial which argued that she would have made a great president. After reading this biography, it would be next to impossible to argue the point.
With that said, E.R. was not always consistent or predictable. There were many times when she spoke out for causes in which she believed even though her viewpoints didn't correspond with those of her husband. However, her response to the rise of the Nazi movement, (or, rather, her lack of response) is incredibly distressing to contemplate. I understand that there were times when she felt that she had to support her husband for the good of the country, but, given her strong personality and her willingness to publicly challenge him from time to time, her silence is shocking indeed.
There would be no way to tell the story of E.R.'s life without devoting time to her relationship with reporter Lorena Hickcock. Historians differ about whether they had a lesbian relationship, though Hickcock was a lesbian. E.R.'s letters would seem to indicate that the couple was romantically involved, but it can be argued that this had more to do with Eleanor's rather flowery writing style than with anything else. This is certainly an important aspect of E.R.'s life which cannot and should not be ignored. With that said, I got rather tired of reading about it after a while. The relationship is quite complex and interesting, but these portions of the book could definitely have used some editing.
If you wish to read a fascinating portrait of an accomplished woman who lived during a most interesting time in American history, this is the book for you. Volume III will be my next read.
January 12, 2016
The first volume of this look at Eleanor Roosevelt's life was riveting even at 600+ pages. This volume however, was a slog to get through. I found myself increasingly annoyed at the author's clear bias and slanted portrayal of the facts. Perhaps things were the way she presented them, but she seemed to be making a lot of leaps and I would have preferred her to present them as such instead of writing as if she were in ER's head. It made it hard to know what was presented as ER's feelings because there is evidence (letters, etc.) clearly stating those feelings or because the author surmised those feelings from her extensive research. It is clear that Cook has extensively researched ER's life, I actually welcome her opinion on what she thinks may have been the underlying feelings and motives in certain things, but I want the writing to be clear that this is conjecture (perhaps educated conjecture, but conjecture nevertheless) on the author's part. Additionally this volume was more convoluted than the last. The author seemingly sought to find a balance between telling ER's story and setting the scene of the political turmoil between 1933-1938, but she didn't find it. The first volume covered ER's entire life up to 1933 (1884-1933). This book was 100 pages longer and only covered five years. In my opinion that was unnecessary. I persevered only because of the subject itself, but I doubt I will read the third volume (if it ever comes out) and I wish that I had attempted a different author's telling of ER's life altogether.
October 21, 2019
To write a biography of anyone between the years of 1933 and 1938 is going to be a challenge. The author, Blanche Wiesen Cook, had to figure out how to juggle writing about Eleanor Roosevelt's life, while also setting the table for the rise of fascism and the impending breakout of World War 2. It looks like some of the reviews felt that Cook didn't find the right balance, but I thought it was well done.
This is really a book about the danger of silence when other people are oppressed. Cook convincingly argues that much of the hesitance to denounce Hitler's rise to power sent him the message that he would be able to carry out his plans without resistance from America. Both FDR and Eleanor were painfully silent on the German treatment of Jews for years leading up to World War 2. Cook doesn't dodge this fact, but meets it head on and even includes quotes from early Eleanor that can only leave one to conclude she was anti semitic at one point.
Despite everything Eleanor did to promote women's rights and improve race relations in America, she also fell short of being a vocal defender of the Jewish people for many years. Both things can be true. Eleanor can have fought very hard for equality and also been silent on equality for some. I admire that Cook was unafraid to present a 360 degree view of her subject in this second volume.
This is really a book about the danger of silence when other people are oppressed. Cook convincingly argues that much of the hesitance to denounce Hitler's rise to power sent him the message that he would be able to carry out his plans without resistance from America. Both FDR and Eleanor were painfully silent on the German treatment of Jews for years leading up to World War 2. Cook doesn't dodge this fact, but meets it head on and even includes quotes from early Eleanor that can only leave one to conclude she was anti semitic at one point.
Despite everything Eleanor did to promote women's rights and improve race relations in America, she also fell short of being a vocal defender of the Jewish people for many years. Both things can be true. Eleanor can have fought very hard for equality and also been silent on equality for some. I admire that Cook was unafraid to present a 360 degree view of her subject in this second volume.
July 4, 2021
Eleanor Roosevelt is a feminist icon and the true definition of a social justice warrior (in the best possible way). She was instrumental in pushing better living conditions for all citizens, education, health care, anti-lynching laws and more.
However, while this book touched on those issues, I didn't feel like it gave Eleanor the credit she deserved. The book seemed to put Eleanor as a supporting character for FDR's positions and actions. While, he of course was President at the time, the descriptions of these ideas and legislations undermines the importance of Eleanor to FDR and the country.
Eleanor spent her life climbing out of the shadows of her, at times, abusive and domineering parents, husband, and mother-in-law. She's strong and formidable. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like that was highlighted as it should have been in this book.
However, while this book touched on those issues, I didn't feel like it gave Eleanor the credit she deserved. The book seemed to put Eleanor as a supporting character for FDR's positions and actions. While, he of course was President at the time, the descriptions of these ideas and legislations undermines the importance of Eleanor to FDR and the country.
Eleanor spent her life climbing out of the shadows of her, at times, abusive and domineering parents, husband, and mother-in-law. She's strong and formidable. Unfortunately, I didn't feel like that was highlighted as it should have been in this book.
June 20, 2017
This second book in a three part series by Blanche Wiesen Cook covers the presidential years of Eleanor Roosevelt as First Lady to WWII. It is excellent and covers all the important subjects ER worked on during those years, her many friends who didn't always get along with each other, the loving relationships she had with both male and female friends, and the often difficult relationship she had with her husband, the President. It's an important book about an important and talented woman. What surprised me was the many pleasant and charming pictures of ER that you don't often see in other books. It's a great book that tells us much about a famous, complex family, as well as the difficult world at that time.
August 13, 2007
I do not read a lot of nonfiction for leisure reading because I read a lot of it for my job. So when I love a work of nonfiction (and read as many pages of it as these two volumes are) that is really saying something. I read this volume (the second one) first because my book club chose it. I was so fascinated with Eleanor Roosevelt and thought the book was so well written that I also read Volume One before the meeting. Bottom line -- Eleanore Roosevelt was an amazing woman whose ethics are well worth emulating -- she rose above considerable personal pain and devoted herself to the greater good -- the U.S. was VERY lucky to have had her as first lady during extremely difficult times.
January 4, 2010
A powerful,inspiring portrait of a remarkable woman in her first six years as First Lady. My one regret is that so far vol. 3, carrying the story beyond 1938, has yet to appear.
September 21, 2012
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.
July 27, 2017
This book, the second volume of Blanche Wiesen Cook's three-part biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, covers the first five years of her role as First Lady of America, from 1933-1938. It's quite a brief interlude in a life, considering the first volume covers the first forty-plus years of ER's life before the White House, and the final volume covers the next thirty-odd years of ER's life up to her death in 1962. But in many ways these five years were the central years of ER's life, setting a pattern and pace that would define not just her but America itself.
Eleanor Roosevelt had always been a champion of the downtrodden and oppressed, had always been a voice for the voiceless, a champion of freedom and liberalism - but FDR's election to the Presidency, and the desperate poverty and hardship of the Depression, gave her a position and an authority to really make a difference, and she took full advantage of it. As a result of FDR's disability, Eleanor was his eyes and ears across the country, and she took that initial role and made it something entirely her own.
She disagreed with her husband on many occasions, publicly and vehemently at times, and scarcely ever felt constrained by his position or politics to self-censor herself. One notable exception was in international affairs, and Eleanor was noticeably silent on the issue of Germany's treatment of the Jews. Yet she had other ways of making her feelings known, and she was incredibly active on behalf of organisations championing tolerance - whether that was combating anti-Semitism, racism, sexism, anti-communism. At times this drew an immense amount of conservative criticism, yet by the close of 1938 Eleanor was outpolling FDR in terms of approval ratings.
These years were also defined by Eleanor's intensely close relationship with Lorena Hickok, a newspaper reporter, who became one of ER's closest friends, perhaps more. Certainly their letters display an intense love, tenderness and passion for one another, but as with so many aspects of ER's internal emotional life much is still left a mystery. But Wiesen Cook handles the potentially controversial issue with great respect and delicacy, and it only serves to illustrate just what a complex, fascinating personality Eleanor Roosevelt was. Roll on the final volume!
Eleanor Roosevelt had always been a champion of the downtrodden and oppressed, had always been a voice for the voiceless, a champion of freedom and liberalism - but FDR's election to the Presidency, and the desperate poverty and hardship of the Depression, gave her a position and an authority to really make a difference, and she took full advantage of it. As a result of FDR's disability, Eleanor was his eyes and ears across the country, and she took that initial role and made it something entirely her own.
She disagreed with her husband on many occasions, publicly and vehemently at times, and scarcely ever felt constrained by his position or politics to self-censor herself. One notable exception was in international affairs, and Eleanor was noticeably silent on the issue of Germany's treatment of the Jews. Yet she had other ways of making her feelings known, and she was incredibly active on behalf of organisations championing tolerance - whether that was combating anti-Semitism, racism, sexism, anti-communism. At times this drew an immense amount of conservative criticism, yet by the close of 1938 Eleanor was outpolling FDR in terms of approval ratings.
These years were also defined by Eleanor's intensely close relationship with Lorena Hickok, a newspaper reporter, who became one of ER's closest friends, perhaps more. Certainly their letters display an intense love, tenderness and passion for one another, but as with so many aspects of ER's internal emotional life much is still left a mystery. But Wiesen Cook handles the potentially controversial issue with great respect and delicacy, and it only serves to illustrate just what a complex, fascinating personality Eleanor Roosevelt was. Roll on the final volume!
April 9, 2023
This is the 2nd volume of Cook's 3 volume biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, and covers the first 6 years of FDR's Presidency. Overly long (700 pages) and repetitive, but contains lots of interesting information. This was ER at the peak of her power. During this time, FDR leaned on Eleanor for advice on American Domestic affairs, and she influenced both FDR"s policies and appointments. Later, as FDR became obsessed with foreign and military affairs, he became much less interested in her opinions.
In terms of her social circle, ER's lesbians friends (except for Hickok) faded away, and was replaced by others, often younger or Jewish. She added young Jews like Joe Lash and Martha Gellhorn to her list of friends, and saw more and more of Bernie Baruch and the Morgenthaus. Malvina Thompon and Lee Miller (Bodyguard and possible lover) rose in importance.
Interstingly, unlike FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt had few Catholic friends. While FDR has Catholics like Grace Tully, Missy Le hands, Pa Watson and Admiral Leahy in his inner circle, almost all of ER's was Protestant or Jewish.
The highlight of the Book, is Cook giving us a "Typical Day" with ER. Which consisted of an hour of Horseback riding in the AM, a hearty breakfast, a crowded work schedule, and then an afternoon brisk walk, followed by swim (often with FDR) in the White House pool. Dinner was always with Guests. One notes the complete absence of books. Evidently, ER was no scholar or "reader". Much like her husband.
In terms of her social circle, ER's lesbians friends (except for Hickok) faded away, and was replaced by others, often younger or Jewish. She added young Jews like Joe Lash and Martha Gellhorn to her list of friends, and saw more and more of Bernie Baruch and the Morgenthaus. Malvina Thompon and Lee Miller (Bodyguard and possible lover) rose in importance.
Interstingly, unlike FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt had few Catholic friends. While FDR has Catholics like Grace Tully, Missy Le hands, Pa Watson and Admiral Leahy in his inner circle, almost all of ER's was Protestant or Jewish.
The highlight of the Book, is Cook giving us a "Typical Day" with ER. Which consisted of an hour of Horseback riding in the AM, a hearty breakfast, a crowded work schedule, and then an afternoon brisk walk, followed by swim (often with FDR) in the White House pool. Dinner was always with Guests. One notes the complete absence of books. Evidently, ER was no scholar or "reader". Much like her husband.
December 1, 2025
As with the first book in this series, volume two is both enormous and enormously well-researched. I don't know if I was quite as interested as I was with the first one, though. Partly because WW2 is clearly looming on the horizon and I was particularly interested in reading that section of the biography (reserved for volume three, alas). But mostly because a lot of this is an exercise in frustration. Yes, President Roosevelt pushed forward the New Deal, but I wasn't aware of just how much bigotry and unfairness and endless caveats were baked into the watered-down version of that which got passed, and it was deeply annoying to keep reading about the pushback from industrialists and politicians who were doing their damnedest to keep people in poverty and misery. Ditto for attempts to legislate against lynching and in favour of refugees and so forth.
I mean, it doesn't take historical knowledge to realise just how regressive parts of the American electorate are - look at what many of them are supporting today! - but it doesn't make it any easier to read. And, I have to admit, Franklin comes across as a political millstone for a great part of this, always pulling back and keeping silent when he shouldn't. Eleanor is clearly guilty of this too at times, but certainly at nowhere near the same level, and - again - the seething frustration of reading a rather more forward-thinking woman held back by her husband and others of his type (if not worse)... Argh!
She does make me feel lazy, though, does Eleanor.
I mean, it doesn't take historical knowledge to realise just how regressive parts of the American electorate are - look at what many of them are supporting today! - but it doesn't make it any easier to read. And, I have to admit, Franklin comes across as a political millstone for a great part of this, always pulling back and keeping silent when he shouldn't. Eleanor is clearly guilty of this too at times, but certainly at nowhere near the same level, and - again - the seething frustration of reading a rather more forward-thinking woman held back by her husband and others of his type (if not worse)... Argh!
She does make me feel lazy, though, does Eleanor.
March 16, 2022
The second volume by Cook of Eleanor Roosevelt covers the time of the Great Depression and the New Deal program of the FDR Administration, 1933 - 1938. It is during these years that ER emerges as the “conscience” of the New Deal in that she concerns herself with the neglected, rejected, and forgotten people in the U.S. that the New Deal programs often do not include. ER was FDR’s primary ambassador to the people. Often disagreeing with FDR particularly when she saw him as too slow to respond to pressing issues of race and poverty. ER used the White House as a platform for change. Overall, ER was frustrated that the New Deal leadership lacked women. Also she was frustrated at the apathy of women in politics and their lack of willingness to run for public offices. However, regarding international issues she was a team player until the Spanish Civil War and the expulsion of the Jews in Germany. ER would emerge in 1938 more popular than FDR and spoke out more often on the issues of the day. Throughout the book, Cook uses personal correspondence by ER with intimate friends, local and state leaders, and federal government officials so one gets a real sense of what ER is thinking. This gives a behind the scenes perspective of the famous events taking place in the 1930s. For my part the author quotes excerpts from personal letters between ER and Hickock one too many times to demonstrate an emotional, intimate, love relationship between the two. Still a very interesting read.
August 15, 2025
Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume Two by Blanche Wiesen Cook focuses on Eleanor’s years in the White House prior to World War II. The biography examines her role in national politics, her advocacy for social reform, and her work to expand the influence of the First Lady beyond ceremonial duties. The book is organized chronologically, blending political history with Eleanor’s personal experiences, correspondence, and relationships. Cook integrates both public events and private moments to present a multifaceted portrait of Eleanor during this pivotal period.
I found this volume engaging and informative, particularly in showing how active Eleanor was in shaping public policy and supporting causes she believed in. It gave me a clearer picture of her determination to be more than a symbolic figure and the challenges she faced in doing so. The book also devotes considerable attention to her relationship with Lorena Hickok. While I felt this focus was heavier than I personally preferred, it did offer insight into Eleanor’s emotional life and the network of support that sustained her. Overall, I enjoyed reading it and came away with a deeper understanding of who Eleanor was during the White House years before the war.
I found this volume engaging and informative, particularly in showing how active Eleanor was in shaping public policy and supporting causes she believed in. It gave me a clearer picture of her determination to be more than a symbolic figure and the challenges she faced in doing so. The book also devotes considerable attention to her relationship with Lorena Hickok. While I felt this focus was heavier than I personally preferred, it did offer insight into Eleanor’s emotional life and the network of support that sustained her. Overall, I enjoyed reading it and came away with a deeper understanding of who Eleanor was during the White House years before the war.
February 6, 2017
Very in-depth view of Eleanor, describing her feelings and opinions as they develop and unfold. I never realized just how much she influenced change in the US. Nor did I realize the extent to which she was a champion for those who could not help themselves. She can be credited with improving quality of life for many, including Southern Negroes, through her position as a First Lady.
Even with her position, she still had to swim against the tide of political opposition. For instance, women weren't supposed to be involved in matters outside the home, and negroes weren't supposed to be treated equally lest they forgot their place.
I am impressed with her range of humanitarian interests and the determination she applied to each with a mixture of grace, intelligence, and patient assertiveness.
Some chapters I enjoyed more than others, which is probably more due to personal preference than a reflection of the book. I cared more for the chapters covering human interests than I did for those covering the political atmosphere. Overall it was a good read that I can recommend to other history buffs.
Maybe I should now read Volume I :)
Even with her position, she still had to swim against the tide of political opposition. For instance, women weren't supposed to be involved in matters outside the home, and negroes weren't supposed to be treated equally lest they forgot their place.
I am impressed with her range of humanitarian interests and the determination she applied to each with a mixture of grace, intelligence, and patient assertiveness.
Some chapters I enjoyed more than others, which is probably more due to personal preference than a reflection of the book. I cared more for the chapters covering human interests than I did for those covering the political atmosphere. Overall it was a good read that I can recommend to other history buffs.
Maybe I should now read Volume I :)
January 6, 2018
Volume 2 of Eleanor Roosevelt excellent biography - Is as good as the first one.
The time period covered in this one is only 5 years but it’s a crucial time period in American as well as World history. This was the time when FDR as president was trying to deal with the Effects of the Great Depression while handling one international crisis after another. Nazis were in power and the world was rushing towards the Second World War...
During this time she helped FDR a lot; sometimes by guiding, sometimes by directing, sometimes by manipulating and sometimes by outright manipulations. She helped set the course for the US during this tumultuous time period.
This book also covers her break from her husband’s (new) more conservative approach to racial and women rights. ER was a great champion of both and donated her time as well as money to both.
The author covers the melodrama, the romances and the friendships that ER started during this period. Some of these turned out to a source of great strength and resolve for her over the years.
Great 2nd volume, definitely a worthwhile read for students of history, politics or just of good books....
The time period covered in this one is only 5 years but it’s a crucial time period in American as well as World history. This was the time when FDR as president was trying to deal with the Effects of the Great Depression while handling one international crisis after another. Nazis were in power and the world was rushing towards the Second World War...
During this time she helped FDR a lot; sometimes by guiding, sometimes by directing, sometimes by manipulating and sometimes by outright manipulations. She helped set the course for the US during this tumultuous time period.
This book also covers her break from her husband’s (new) more conservative approach to racial and women rights. ER was a great champion of both and donated her time as well as money to both.
The author covers the melodrama, the romances and the friendships that ER started during this period. Some of these turned out to a source of great strength and resolve for her over the years.
Great 2nd volume, definitely a worthwhile read for students of history, politics or just of good books....
April 26, 2018
This series of books about Eleanor Roosevelt is tough to slog through but well worth the trouble for anyone who really wants to know what was going on in the US during the 1930s. We often regard the presidency of FDR with romanticism, but it really was not. It was sinisterly like the current administration, rife with racism, antisemitism, as well as a nationalistic fervor that certainly did not suggest we were a country if compassion. Like now, Republicans played the role of villain, although Southern Democrat Racists were no better. It was hard to find good people, including FDR himself as well as his cronies. The only saving aspect of it all was that FDR believed in a system that ultimately was a good one for building a good society. Unfortunately, even his most compassionate beliefs were opposed by the very type if villain who oppose them today.
As for Eleanor, she was a creature of her time period with her own flaws, but she had a heart and was able to evolve in order to attempt to make the leadership of the country be aware if the right thing to do. Things did not always work out that way, but without her around, many more heinous things might have happened.
As for Eleanor, she was a creature of her time period with her own flaws, but she had a heart and was able to evolve in order to attempt to make the leadership of the country be aware if the right thing to do. Things did not always work out that way, but without her around, many more heinous things might have happened.
February 20, 2020
I can only review this along with Volume 1, 1894-1933. These two volumes provide an extremely in-depth look and analysis of Eleanor Roosevelt. In explaining the various influences and influencers in her life, Cook goes of on what seem like tangents but the backstory details allow for more understanding of Mrs. Roosevelt's life choices. These are two books about an incredible, independent woman, during times when women were not recognized as such, who always forged ahead.
The writing is fairly dry and the book is packed with facts and information which not only add to Mrs. Roosevelt's history but also to those of major players in her life (eg, FDR, Lorena Hancock, et al).
The second volume in particular deals with the relationships between Mrs. Roosevelt and the issues for which she fought, often in disagreement with FDR, and the different circles of her friends.
The biography shows her as a determined, fighter for the rights of all people, generous with her time and money and yet at the same time as someone who could be cold and cruel in her personal life.
Volume 3 should be most interesting.
The writing is fairly dry and the book is packed with facts and information which not only add to Mrs. Roosevelt's history but also to those of major players in her life (eg, FDR, Lorena Hancock, et al).
The second volume in particular deals with the relationships between Mrs. Roosevelt and the issues for which she fought, often in disagreement with FDR, and the different circles of her friends.
The biography shows her as a determined, fighter for the rights of all people, generous with her time and money and yet at the same time as someone who could be cold and cruel in her personal life.
Volume 3 should be most interesting.
July 3, 2021
Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the most fascinating and important figures of the 20th Century, which makes me wonder why parts of this book felt so flat. The author is careful to present a well-rounded view of ER, including her tone deafness on some subjects, as much as her unbridled passion for her pet concerns. But she too often quotes at length the correspondence between ER and Loreena Hickock, to the point where that relationship often seemed to be the subject of the book. Cook is much better tracing ER's devotion to Civil Rights, which was an incredibly brave stance at the time, and her coming of age as an independent-minded political activist. What is most disappointing, however, has nothing to do with Eleanor Roosevelt or Blance Wiesen Cook: It is the recognition that we are still required to fight so many of the battles ER fought, and are forced to recognize that even some of her victories were only temporary. The forces of oppression do not willingly vacate the field of conflict.
September 28, 2017
Volume 2 of 3 of the Eleanore Roosevelt biography. What a woman! There were people who actually wanted her to run for president in 1940...imagine a woman president!
This book is a lesson in politics. Whereas Eleanor could have her opinion (about refugees, the Spanish Civil War, African-Americans), FDR was always looking at the political landscape. It is kind of disheartening that he supported his future in the White House (which no one guessed at) rather than what was the right thing to do. It's a good lesson, but one I don't like.
Because Blanche Wiesen Cook has done such a thorough job this is a good look at the US and the world during those years leading up to WWII. So history buffs who don't think they want to read a whole biography of ER should give it a peep.
Read them all...we love Eleanor.
This book is a lesson in politics. Whereas Eleanor could have her opinion (about refugees, the Spanish Civil War, African-Americans), FDR was always looking at the political landscape. It is kind of disheartening that he supported his future in the White House (which no one guessed at) rather than what was the right thing to do. It's a good lesson, but one I don't like.
Because Blanche Wiesen Cook has done such a thorough job this is a good look at the US and the world during those years leading up to WWII. So history buffs who don't think they want to read a whole biography of ER should give it a peep.
Read them all...we love Eleanor.
October 6, 2020
Eleanor Roosevelt had a mother who thought Eleanor was ugly; a father who was a kind alcoholic who left Eleanor in the Roosevelt "buggy" all day, while he went into a club and lost all thought of Eleanor; a mother-in-law from Hell, who wouldn't let Eleanor raise her own kids; and a husband who cheated on her. When he died, he was actually with the paramour, and eventually Eleanor found that out too.
And yet...she was the most compassionate woman who traveled 40,000 miles in 3 months of being First Lady. As First Lady, she often travelled alone, refusing to be trailed by Secret Service agents. The agency acquiesced only after she had demonstrated ability for self-protection with a gun they insisted she carry.
What a hero! Thank you Eleanor Roosevelt.
And yet...she was the most compassionate woman who traveled 40,000 miles in 3 months of being First Lady. As First Lady, she often travelled alone, refusing to be trailed by Secret Service agents. The agency acquiesced only after she had demonstrated ability for self-protection with a gun they insisted she carry.
What a hero! Thank you Eleanor Roosevelt.
December 1, 2022
If you are interested in history and other perspectives, you should read the Eleanor Roosevelt volumes. OK, I admit that at times I felt like I was slogging through it, but but you'll find very interesting trends and facts. Eleanor's mother in law was a demanding bear who believed that women should be women. Eleanor was interested in humanity and wanted to make a difference.
Franklin and Eleanor loved each other, and argued bitterly at times. Sometimes they went for long periods of time without seeing each other. Eleanor was the one pushing for funding for homes for the low-middle class. Franklin held back on backing the anti-lynching bills because he had his eye on getting backing for other pet projects.
Long read, but important.
Franklin and Eleanor loved each other, and argued bitterly at times. Sometimes they went for long periods of time without seeing each other. Eleanor was the one pushing for funding for homes for the low-middle class. Franklin held back on backing the anti-lynching bills because he had his eye on getting backing for other pet projects.
Long read, but important.
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