The Extraordinary Mrs. R: A Friend Remembers Eleanor Roosevelt [Paperback]

William Turner Levy (Author), Cynthia Eagle Russett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471395242 | ISBN-13: 978-0471395249 | Publication Date: January 31, 2001 | Edition: 1

"[Levy's] recollections are delightful, loving, and unique."-New York Times

"A lovely, loving memoir."-Blanche Wiesen Cook, Winner of the L.A. Times Book Prize for Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884--1933, Vol. 1

"[A] loving remembrance."-Kirkus Reviews

One of the most admired women of the twentieth century, Eleanor Roosevelt will always be remembered for her remarkable achievements as First Lady, United Nations official, and passionate advocate for the causes she held close to her heart. Now, through fascinating anecdotes, many of them totally fresh, William Turner Levy-a close friend of the former First Lady-gives us an intimate look at Eleanor Roosevelt and the way she viewed the world. And with the help of acclaimed historian Cynthia Eagle Russett, we also see Eleanor Roosevelt's role in shaping American and international politics. In this rare book, we gain a cherished glimpse of the extraordinary Mrs. R-as if she were our friend, too. An enchanting portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt in all her human dimensions-with fascinating anecdotes of the people she knew and loved-this refreshing and affectionate memoir reveals the fun-loving, intelligent, and vibrant woman behind the public persona.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A stiff but loving remembrance of the First Lady from an Episcopal clergyman who became a close friend in the last decade of her life. Levy (co-author with Victor Scherle of Affectionately, T.S. Eliot, 1968, etc.) was then a young teacher of English at City College of New York and a collector of Roosevelt memorabilia. He wrote to Mrs. Roosevelt inquiring for some details of the history of his purchases; she invited him to tea. From that first meeting evolved a relationship that encompassed many weekends at Val-Kill, Mrs. Roosevelt's retreat in Hyde Park, as well as dinners and social occasions at the home of Levy's parents. As their friendship deepened, Levy was often a guest at more formal events, where heads of state like Yugoslavia's President Tito and the USSR's Nikita Khrushchev, among others, paid their respects to Mrs. Roosevelt at Hyde Park. Other visits coincided with Levy's continuing research at the Hyde Park Library on FDR's religious beliefs and allowed the two friends time to exchange anecdotes and reflections in leisurely fashion. On these occasions, Levy heard, for instance, Eleanor's astute analysis of Nixon's motives in informing supporters early on of President Eisenhower's heart attack (they would benefit from stock market fluctuations and be indebted to Nixon), and of her refusal to support John F. Kennedy for president until he strengthened his commitment to ``basic tenets of the Democratic party.'' There are also personal glimpsesdescriptions of her hearty appetite, wide-ranging late-night discussions of literature and Scripture over a snack of fruit, and personal reminiscences about her husband and her childhood. Credit co-author Russett, a Yale historian, with organizing the chronology of the friendship and giving it historical weight. An appropriately treasured friendship recalled in labored prose. (b&w photos, not seen) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Inside Flap

"From her I learned the secret of the pursuit of happiness." —William Turner Levy Eleanor Roosevelt is one of the most admired women of this century. Revered throughout the world, she was known as First Lady, as chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, and as standard-bearer for the causes she espoused. During the last ten years of this singular woman’s life, William Turner Levy had the good fortune to become a close friend. Over time, he became closely acquainted with the fun-loving, intelligent, and vibrant woman who lay behind the public persona. With affection and humor, he recalls their memorable friendship. In 1953, William Turner Levy, then a young Episcopalian priest and teacher of English literature at the City College of New York, wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt seeking more information about memorabilia he had purchased from the collection of the late President Roosevelt. She responded with an invitation to tea. From that first encounter sprang a close, loving friendship and countless shared moments, often in Hyde Park at her beloved, cozy Val-Kill Cottage. After Eleanor Roosevelt’s death, William Turner Levy—as was her wish—led the services at the church and gravesite. Through fascinating anecdotes, many of them totally fresh, Levy gives us an intimate look at informal, yet important meetings Eleanor Roosevelt had with global leaders, artists, and politicians, and we gain valuable insights into the way she viewed the world. And with the help of historian Cynthia Eagle Russett, we also see Eleanor Roosevelt’s role in shaping American and international politics. But most rewarding are the many recollections that are full of flashes of her personality and the delicious domestic touches that bring Mrs. R fully alive. With William Turner Levy’s help, we gain a cherished glimpse of the extraordinary Mrs. R—as if she were our friend, too. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471395242
• ISBN-13: 978-0471395249
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,502,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A LOVING MEMOIR OF A FRIENDSHIP WITH MRS. ROOSEVELT, November 19, 1999

By 

Neil Adelman (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Extraordinary Mrs. R: A Friend Remembers Eleanor Roosevelt (Hardcover)

This short magical book, with 30 intmate photographs, does a great service to all who may have wished they had known Mrs. Roosevelt(The "Mrs.R" of the title). The author, William Turner Levy, reveals, in the affectionate telling of his longstanding friendship with Mrs. R, very touching and human dimensions to the already very detailed and historic portrait of Mrs. Roosevelt. It is through his enchanting and loving memoir, told through short delightful anadotes, that I gained new insights and perspectives into the private life and personality of Mrs. R. Indeed, not only did I gain nuance, I gained a strong emotional sense of who this woman really was. The excellent comments incorporated throughout the book of Cynthia Eagle Russet, a professor of history at Yale University, provided valuable historical and contextual insight into the significance of the role of Mrs. Roosevelt in shaping history and politics. I highly recommend this charming book to all those interested in Mrs. R and a part of American history coming alive in new and fascinating ways.

5.0 out of 5 stars Succeeds brilliantly at making you feel like an intimate friend, January 30, 2010

By 

Clementine Dare "Clementine" (Gilbert, Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Extraordinary Mrs. R: A Friend Remembers Eleanor Roosevelt (Paperback)

I've read many books by and about Mrs. Roosevelt. Including books by Joe Lash (a good friend), family members (Grandmere) and My Day. I've read the acclaimed biographies by Blanche Wiesen Cooke and other books about FDR. Perhaps this made the book more enjoyable for me, because I was already so familiar with many aspects of her life. I can't say any of these books succeeded as well as this particular book at communicating what she was like personally.

What makes this book such an incredible treat for an admirer of ER such as myself is that it is the first book of it's kind that allowed me to enjoy Mrs. Roosevelt one on one. The contemporary, intimate account of a friendship that lasted to the end of her life is remarkable for the tiny details that the author took the time to describe. What she wore, the pictures on her wall, the approach to her house. The many small expressions of her beautiful manners or personal habits. It was just a treat to read this book.

Last year I had the opportunity to listen to a speech by Nina Roosevelt Gibson, ER's granddaughter. That was a great experience as well because Mrs. Gibson's speech successfully conveyed ER's spirit. This is the closest I have felt to that remarkable experience of hearing a reminiscence about ER by a friend or family member. I had the sense that William Turner Levy loved Eleanor Roosevelt very deeply (as a friend) and that is why so many small impressions remained so vividly in his memory. I am so grateful for the care he took to describe his friendship with her.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that considers ER a role model or simply would like to learn more about this extraordinary women.