My Day: The Best Of Eleanor Roosevelt's Acclaimed Newspaper Columns, 1936-1962 [Paperback]

Eleanor Roosevelt (Author), David Emblidge (Editor), Blanche Wiesen Cook (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2001

Recently named "Woman of the Century" in a survey conducted by the National Women's Hall of Fame, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote her hugely popular syndicated column "My Day" for over a quarter of that century, from 1936 to 1962. This collection brings together for the first time in a single volume the most memorable of those columns, written with singular wit, elegance, compassion, and insight—everything from her personal perspectives on the New Deal and World War II to the painstaking diplomacy required of her as chair of the United Nations Committee on Human Rights after the war to the joys of gardening at her beloved Hyde Park home. To quote Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., "What a remarkable woman she was! These sprightly and touching selections from Eleanor Roosevelt's famous column evoke an extraordinary personality."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962), who was intimately involved in the political life of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, led women's organizations and youth movements and fought for consumer welfare, civil rights, and improved housing. Under her leadership, the United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (March 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306810107
• ISBN-13: 978-0306810107
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #467,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical, political, personal, September 21, 2001

By 

Joanna Power (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Day: The Best Of Eleanor Roosevelt's Acclaimed Newspaper Columns, 1936-1962 (Paperback)

My favorite way to learn about history is through the voice of a person who lived in that time. Often, however, the most readable first-person narratives leave something to be desired in breadth, since a single real person cannot be everywhere and have opinions on everything. Unless, it seems, that person is Eleanor Roosevelt. Her voice in her 'My Day' columns is authoritative, compassionate, wise, and insightful. Her opinions and philosophy on politics and diplomacy, both national and international, seem to me very pertinent to some of issues we face in our world today. Since I read this book, I have found myself hypothesizing about what she would have thought about some current happenings as I try to make sense of them. The editorial introductions to each year and each article excerpt in the book are well-written and provide the right amount of context to frame the excerpts without distracting from them.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Lady, March 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: My Day: The Best Of Eleanor Roosevelt's Acclaimed Newspaper Columns, 1936-1962 (Paperback)

I grew up during World War II and remember seeing Eleanor Roosevelt on news reels traveling around the world. I had no idea until I read this book of what a full and interesting life she was living. She had much pain and sorrow in her life, but she carried on.

I like her down to earth writing. She has written about ordinary things and left some things unsaid which is fine. She came from a very reserved background so it's to be expected. Her childhood was during a very different time than today. That she did so much for others is evidence of that upbringing.

After reading this book, I visited Hyde Park. I went first to her house at Val-Kill before I went to the Big House and Library. I recommend a visit to everyone because I believe you get a real feel for her there. At Val-Kill it's like she has just stepped out for a moment, but will be back.

I recommend this book to everyone. Editors give background information before each selection for those who weren't alive during the time. Eleanor did not go into great detail in her columns as, of course, her readers at the time would know what she was talking about.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real pleasure and an insight into troubled times, July 5, 2008

By 

robbieandrose (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Day: The Best Of Eleanor Roosevelt's Acclaimed Newspaper Columns, 1936-1962 (Paperback)

I recently picked this volume up when I visited Val-Kill her house a few miles away from the Hyde Park mansion. For many years the first lady shared her thoughts on current events and encouraged Americans to look upon racism and other social evils with shame. This is a good selection of her My Day columns which revolutionized opinions in America and remain an important testement to the power of free speech in this country.