Customer Reviews

Eleanor Roosevelt: Audio CD (Heinle Reading Library)

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Although the inexorable flow of social events would have eventually led to American First Ladies taking a more active role in politics, a disability sped it along. When Franklin Roosevelt was elected President, his confinement to a wheelchair prevented him from touring the country. It then became the job of his wife Eleanor to go out and do the visitations that the country expects the President to do.
In many ways, Franklin and Eleanor were the perfect political couple. Both were children of privilege and yet each somehow managed to develop a strong sense of social justice. Because she was such a trailblazer and a role model for women in the world, Eleanor Roosevelt was most likely the most powerful American woman of the twentieth century. Her willingness to literally get her hands dirty won her admiration from working people all over the country. I still remember the political cartoon I read in a collection many years ago. Two black-faced men are deep in a coal mine and one of them turns his head and says, "My God! It's Eleanor Roosevelt!" The fact that the cartoon represented actual events is a tribute to her willingness to do what was necessary to succeed.
Donnelly captures the determination, grace and intellect of Eleanor Roosevelt and puts her life and achievements in the proper perspective. Although not a great deal of time is spent on the sad events in her life, it is enough to demonstrate how Eleanor had to overcome a great deal of personal tragedy in order to succeed. The book is well written at the level of the middle school child, and is an inspiration to all girls who aspire to greatness. While it is easier for them to do it in modern times, role models are still needed and there are none better for young woman than Eleanor Roosevelt.

I was so excited to get this book for my elementary students! I loved it back in 5th grade, and I hope they'll love it too. The shipping was pretty quick and the book was in good condition.