📖 Overview
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) was a prominent American political figure, diplomat, and writer who served as First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. Beyond her role as First Lady, she was a newspaper columnist, author of multiple books, and human rights advocate who helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
As an author, Roosevelt wrote several autobiographical works including "This Is My Story" (1937), "This I Remember" (1949), and "On My Own" (1958). Her syndicated newspaper column "My Day" ran from 1935 to 1962, covering topics from domestic life to international politics and civil rights.
Roosevelt's writing style was characterized by directness and accessibility, often addressing social issues and humanitarian concerns. Her books and columns frequently explored themes of democracy, human rights, and women's roles in society, drawing from her extensive experience in public service and international diplomacy.
Her literary contributions helped establish her as an independent voice separate from her husband's presidency, and her works continue to be studied for their historical significance and social commentary. Roosevelt's writing career spanned over three decades and produced more than 8,000 columns, multiple books, and numerous articles and speeches.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Eleanor Roosevelt's candid writing style and personal insights into historical events, particularly in her autobiography and "My Day" newspaper columns. Many note her straightforward descriptions of life in the White House and her advocacy work.
Readers highlight her detailed accounts of FDR's presidency, the Great Depression, and WWII. Reviews often mention how she balances political commentary with personal anecdotes.
Common criticisms include repetitive passages and dated social views in some works. Some readers find her writing style overly formal or detached.
Ratings across platforms:
- "You Learn by Living" (1960)
Goodreads: 4.2/5 (4,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (650+ ratings)
- "The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt" (1961)
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (3,900+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (400+ ratings)
- "My Day: The Best of Eleanor Roosevelt's Acclaimed Newspaper Columns"
Goodreads: 4.0/5 (300+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings)
📚 Books by Eleanor Roosevelt
This Is My Story
The first volume of Roosevelt's autobiography covering her life from childhood through 1937, detailing her early years, marriage, and entry into public life.
This I Remember Chronicles Roosevelt's experiences as First Lady from 1933-1945, including her role during the Great Depression and World War II.
On My Own Focuses on Roosevelt's life after FDR's death in 1945, describing her work with the United Nations and continued public service.
The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt A comprehensive autobiography combining and updating her previous memoirs with new material covering her later years through 1961.
This Is America Explores American democracy and citizenship through Roosevelt's observations of people and places across the United States.
This I Remember Chronicles Roosevelt's experiences as First Lady from 1933-1945, including her role during the Great Depression and World War II.
On My Own Focuses on Roosevelt's life after FDR's death in 1945, describing her work with the United Nations and continued public service.
The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt A comprehensive autobiography combining and updating her previous memoirs with new material covering her later years through 1961.
This Is America Explores American democracy and citizenship through Roosevelt's observations of people and places across the United States.
👥 Similar authors
Jane Addams published extensive writings about social reform and democracy in the early 1900s. Her works, including "Twenty Years at Hull-House" and "Democracy and Social Ethics," focused on similar themes of social justice and women's roles that Roosevelt explored.
Pearl S. Buck wrote about cross-cultural understanding and human rights during the same era as Roosevelt. She combined her experiences in China with advocacy for marginalized groups through both fiction and non-fiction works.
Dorothy Thompson worked as a journalist and columnist covering politics and international affairs from the 1920s to 1950s. Like Roosevelt, she wrote newspaper columns addressing social issues and maintained a significant public platform during World War II.
Margaret Mead produced accessible writings about anthropology and social issues that reached mainstream audiences. Her work addressed many of the same themes as Roosevelt, including women's rights and international understanding.
Helen Gahagan Douglas wrote about politics and social issues while serving in Congress during the 1940s. She published works focusing on democracy and women's participation in politics, sharing Roosevelt's commitment to civic engagement and social progress.
Pearl S. Buck wrote about cross-cultural understanding and human rights during the same era as Roosevelt. She combined her experiences in China with advocacy for marginalized groups through both fiction and non-fiction works.
Dorothy Thompson worked as a journalist and columnist covering politics and international affairs from the 1920s to 1950s. Like Roosevelt, she wrote newspaper columns addressing social issues and maintained a significant public platform during World War II.
Margaret Mead produced accessible writings about anthropology and social issues that reached mainstream audiences. Her work addressed many of the same themes as Roosevelt, including women's rights and international understanding.
Helen Gahagan Douglas wrote about politics and social issues while serving in Congress during the 1940s. She published works focusing on democracy and women's participation in politics, sharing Roosevelt's commitment to civic engagement and social progress.