Eleanor and Franklin

Eleanor and Franklin: The Story of Their Relationship Joseph P. Lash draws from Eleanor Roosevelt's private papers to construct this intimate portrait of two figures who shaped 20th century America. The narrative traces their relationship from their early courtship through their years in the White House as President and First Lady. This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography examines the complex partnership between Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt as they navigated personal challenges and world-changing events. The book reveals their individual growth, their marriage, and their political collaboration during a transformative period in American history. Based on unprecedented access to personal correspondence and private documents, Lash presents the human dimension of these towering historical figures. The book establishes the foundation for understanding Eleanor's later years as a widow and global humanitarian, which Lash explored in a companion volume. The work stands as a testament to how personal relationships can influence the course of history, documenting the evolution of two individuals whose partnership transcended conventional boundaries of marriage and politics.

Readers emphasize the deep research and intimate perspective Lash provides through his access to Eleanor Roosevelt's personal papers and correspondence. The book depicts their complex marriage and political partnership with detail and nuance. Readers appreciate: - First-hand accounts and primary sources - Balance between personal and political aspects - Clear portrayal of Eleanor's evolution as a public figure - Inclusion of personal letters and diary entries Common criticisms: - Length and detail can be overwhelming (760+ pages) - Early chapters on childhood move slowly - Some passages focus too heavily on minor historical figures - Writing style can be dry and academic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) Reader quote: "Lash manages to show both Roosevelts as real people with flaws and strengths, neither saints nor villains." - Goodreads reviewer Multiple readers note this remains the definitive account of the Roosevelt marriage despite its 1971 publication date.

No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin This dual biography chronicles Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's relationship during World War II through their political partnership and personal struggles.

The Three Roosevelts by James MacGregor Burns, Susan Dunn This biography connects the lives and legacies of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt through their intertwined political journeys and family bonds.

Franklin and Lucy by Joseph E. Persico This book examines Franklin Roosevelt's relationships with the women in his life, including his wife Eleanor and Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd.

Eleanor: The Years Alone by Joseph P. Lash This companion volume follows Eleanor Roosevelt's life after FDR's death as she became a global humanitarian and diplomat at the United Nations.

Alice by Stacy A. Cordery This biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth depicts the parallel story of Theodore Roosevelt's daughter who shared the political stage with Franklin and Eleanor.

★ The book won both the Pulitzer Prize for Biography and the National Book Award in 1972, establishing itself as one of the most decorated political biographies of its time. ★ Author Joseph P. Lash was personally acquainted with Eleanor Roosevelt, serving as her close friend and confidant for over 20 years before writing this biography. ★ Eleanor donated over 8,000 pages of her personal letters and documents to Lash specifically for this project, providing unprecedented access to private material. ★ The book reveals that Franklin and Eleanor were actually fifth cousins once removed, and their courtship began secretly while Eleanor was away at school in England. ★ The manuscript took Lash seven years to complete, involving extensive research through previously unpublished correspondence between Eleanor and Franklin, as well as interviews with their children and close associates.