This Is My Story

This Is My Story presents Eleanor Roosevelt's early life and path to becoming First Lady of the United States. Roosevelt writes about her privileged yet challenging childhood in New York City, her formative years at Allenswood School, and her entrance into public life. The memoir chronicles her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt and the evolution of their political partnership. She recounts her initial role as a political wife and her gradual transformation into an independent public figure through her work in reform movements and wartime volunteer efforts. Roosevelt documents her growth from a shy debutante into a leader in her own right during the early 20th century. The narrative concludes before FDR's presidency, focusing instead on the experiences that shaped her character and convictions. The memoir reveals the intersection of personal struggle and social responsibility in Roosevelt's life, illustrating how private challenges led to her emergence as a voice for social reform.

Readers appreciate Roosevelt's candid writing style and personal observations of historical events and figures. The autobiography offers an intimate view of her transformation from a shy child into a public figure, with detailed accounts of her roles as First Lady and UN delegate. Readers highlight the insights into FDR's presidency, the Great Depression era, and WWII from her unique perspective. Many note her honesty about her marriage and personal struggles. Common criticisms include a formal, reserved tone and lack of emotional depth in certain sections. Some readers find the political details overwhelming and wish for more personal anecdotes. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Her matter-of-fact approach to extraordinary events makes history feel immediate" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on schedules and meetings rather than private moments" - Amazon reviewer "Her descriptions of world leaders and behind-the-scenes negotiations are fascinating" - Goodreads reviewer

Personal History by Katharine Graham Chronicles another influential woman's journey from privileged daughter to powerful media figure as publisher of The Washington Post.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls Presents a perspective on childhood hardship and resilience that shaped a woman's character, similar to Roosevelt's early experiences.

Becoming by Michelle Obama Details the path of another First Lady who transformed her role into a platform for social change and personal mission.

Jane Addams: Twenty Years at Hull House by Jane Addams Documents the evolution of a privileged woman into a social reformer during the same era as Roosevelt's early work.

The Autobiography of Margaret Sanger by Margaret Sanger Records the development of a contemporary of Roosevelt who similarly challenged social norms to pursue reform in the early 20th century.

★ The book, published in 1937, was one of the first memoirs by a First Lady while still serving in the White House. ★ Eleanor wrote the entire manuscript in longhand, often working late into the night after completing her daily duties as First Lady. ★ Her royalties from this book were donated to the American Friends Service Committee, demonstrating her lifelong commitment to charitable causes. ★ The memoir was serialized in Ladies' Home Journal before being published as a book, reaching millions of American women during the Great Depression. ★ While writing about her marriage, Eleanor deliberately omitted any mention of FDR's affair with Lucy Mercer, choosing to focus instead on their shared public service mission.