Customer Reviews

Eleanor Roosevelt: A Personal and Public Life (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Youngs's biography is an average attempt to describe this great woman's life and I do not mean "average" in a derogatory sense. This book hits all the main points of Eleanor's life and accomplishments from before her birth up to her death. It remains objective throughout most of the book but Youngs does not bring any enthusiasm to the womans life. The few times when Youngs voice seems to be asserting itself, it is to criticize Eleanor. One example is when Youngs insinuates that Eleanor's work in the NYC skids was just a rich girl trying to slum. Youngs made it seem like Eleanor never cared about the poor because she could never truly know them. He may have a point, but he did not use that same emotion when he was describing Eleanor's work as First Lady during the Great Depression. I would have liked to seen a little more energy from Youngs but I cannot complain about the information in his book. For those of you wanting a good, fairly objective, overview of Eleanor's life, Youngs book is just for you. For those who like their biographer to throw their two cents into the book you might want to look elsewhere.

I'm sorry if I don't have a lot to say but I think reviews sometimes give away too much information (like reading the back of a dvd and learning too much before seeing the movie) I also have noticed that many "critics" complain a lot ;)

I loved this book. It was more than I expected and seemed thorough. I was up late reading it into the wee hours of the morning and fascinated with details I never knew.

I also had NO idea just how much she helped her husband in his politics. She was amazing.

Enjoy this book, why not? ;)

While this biography offered some good insight into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, much of it was conjecturing "she may have, might have" etc. and little is cited save a blurb at the end of the book. I read this as part of a undergrad history class, but I'm certain there are better out there.

While the language isn't boring the the ideas are great in Youngs second edition of this biography, I am not happy at all that my students have been assigned this book to read in a linked course. I teach a study and learning skills course linked to an American history course at a university in the USA and this biography must be read by the students. With all the time spent in the colleges and universities and now in the media about how historians need to cite their sources, this biography is a sad and sorry example. Nothing is cited, even the direct quotes have no citations! Yes, Youngs does discuss his sources at the end of the book but that is not the same as giving credit to the sources where he drew his quotations and facts from. The publisher, Longman, should be ashamed for allowing such poorly cited scholarship to be printed for used in either courses or the general public. I would have given this 1 star but the writing is engaging.

I have yet to read the book, but by just skimming through it, I know it will be enjoyable. I will have to write a paper about it for my history class, and I know that I will enjoy doing it. The book only cost me four dollars, including shipping, which is so much better than the twenty one I would have had to pay if I bought it at my college's book store.

There's nothing like a poorly written biography to make even the most important of people seem totally useless. The best example of Eleanor's work that the author gives is that she "could shake a hundred hands in a receiving line" and that she "gave more teas...than any other First Lady" (3-4). The first two chapters, set before Eleanor was even born, belong in some trashy Victorian romance novel, and some of the most important characters in her life are either given only a passing mention or left out entirely. Direct quotes have no citations. At best flat and uninteresting drivel and at worst offensive, sexist and tacky, this book seems to perpetuate gender stereotypes that Eleanor fought against. Eleanor herself seems highly fictionalized here: she could "heal the sick with only a kiss." Youngs clearly needs to leave the academic field (before he gets thrown out) and pursue a career in writing cheap paperbacks.

I have not had time to read the book yet but the book is in very good quality and the shipping was fast.