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Franklin and Eleanor An Extraordinary Marriage Hazel Rowley Books

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Franklin and Eleanor An Extraordinary Marriage Hazel Rowley Books

Am I embarrassed to admit that I saw this book as a local bookstore on the table, and passed it up originally? Yes! I'm an unoffical scholar of our 32nd president and his wife, and admire their work and lives almost as I do this president: Lincoln, Life-Size.

The Roosevelts have a lure over me that I can't quite explain. Perhaps their persistent progressivism, that is so missing in our country today, refreshes. Whatever the case, when I saw the cover of the book on the table, I went over and leafed through a couple of pages ... and then walked on. Why? I thought, "Who needs to read another book on the Roosevelt marriage? Hasn't that been written about before?". The answer is yes, and no. Hazel Rowley's new book is a fresh look at this great couple, and a read that was well-worth my time.

First let me say that this book doesn't uncover any major new revelations. What Crowley has brilliant done is nuanced the current knowledge of the Roosevelts and added much dynamics and commentary to what we already know. For example, any Roosevelt reader knows about the infamous Mercer affair. Covered in this book, Mercer strives to paint a picture of Eleanor after the affair as not distant or unkind, but still caring of her husband. Crowley publishes excerpts of letters between the two that suggest just as much. In fact, when FDR contracts polio, it is Eleanor that nurses her husband, and even sleeps in the window bed beside him.

Crowley also strives to dismantle the common conception of the battle between Sara Roosevelt and Eleanor. While certainly conflicts existed between the two, they were mutually fond of each other. Crowley also presents some letters of fondness between the two women that show their affection. Was it perfect? No. The lives of two strong women are bound to come in conflict, and it did not diminish the feelings between the two. Tour FDR's house in Hyde Park, and a ranger will tell you just as much.

In fact, I ended up purchasing this book on my Kindle for that very purpose. Just prior to Thanksgiving, I had the honor of visiting his house And because I read this interesting book that focused not so much on history, but on love, the Roosevelts came alive for me ever more in that house. It's quite a read for quite a couple, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This would must a great Christmas present for a Roosevelt fan in your family, or anyone wanting to read about an amazingly complicated marriage.


Tags : Amazon.com: Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage (9780374158576): Hazel Rowley: Books,Hazel Rowley,Franklin and Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage,Farrar, Straus and Giroux,0374158576,Political,Married people;United States;Biography.,Presidents' spouses;United States;Biography.,Presidents;United States;Biography.,BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY Historical,Biography,Biography & Autobiography,Biography & Autobiography Political,Biography Autobiography,BiographyAutobiography,GENERAL,General Adult,Historical - General,Married people,Non-Fiction,Presidents,Presidents & Heads of State,Presidents' spouses,U.S. HISTORY - 20TH CENTURY (GENERAL),U.S. PRESIDENT,United States,United States - 20th Century,United States20th Century

Franklin and Eleanor An Extraordinary Marriage Hazel Rowley Books Reviews

Old enough to remember FDR and Mrs. Roosevelt, left this reader still an admirer, but more realistic. No question that President Roosevelt was the answer to a country's prayers during a trying time for the nation. His answers to a crucial meltdown of our nation's financial and, later, military security, remain with us today and have become, in many's eyes, a birthright and, for many, part of the Bill of Rights! His failure as a husband diminished his many accomplishments as a statesman. Without Eleanor, he would not have been the Icon he has become. Being a politician, he behaved less than honorably in many situations--both politically and personally. Eleanor, as his long-suffering wife had many attributes of her own Without Eleanor, Franklin could not have achieved many of his goals. Franklin's infidelities hurt her terribly. This reader had a problem with admiration and seeing them both as rich dilettantes who, rather condescendingly at times, cared about the "little people". As for FDR's infidelities, Eleanor brought some of this upon herself. She proved to be quite a nag at times. I recommend the book as a portrait of two people, who loved one another in their own, unique fashion.
In today's world of throwaway relationships and serial marriages, it is fascinating to read about a couple who remained married and devoted to each other despite numerous infidelities, mother-in-law problems, crippling illness, and loss. Both Eleanor and Franklin could arguably be used to prove the case that people do not naturally remain in love with just one person throughout our lives. Instead, we naturally evolve new loves and relationships as our personal needs change throughout the years. Some of us drop the old relationships as we move on to the next one, and others like the FDR and Eleanor collect people like they collect stamps. It amazes me that some people do not break off their relationship when they realize that they are just one of many "loved ones." What kept Louis, Daisy, Lucy, Nan, Hick, and Tommy loyal when they became aware of being one of a collection?

Read the book and ask yourself if you have ever met anyone who inspired your blind loyalty the way these two managed to do in their friends and lovers. Then sit back and enjoy a starting view of our country's history from within the Presidency.

Five stars to Ms. Rowley for telling it exactly as it was!
I grew up with my mother's stories about the Rooesvelts. The Fireside Chats, Fala, the CCC, and the numerous Alphabet Corps made me a New Deal Democrat before I knew what that was. I totally remember my mother bringing home margarine with a magenta capsule to knead in to make it butter-like--and this was in the 1950s!
Who didn't love the Roosevelts?

I LOVED this book! What a cleareyed portrait of two flawed human beings who pretty much saved the world as we know it, and made it better for all of us. I followed this book with Doris Kearns Goodwin's No Ordinary Time, and found this one to be the more human, accessible, and well, readable--though I really appreciate Ms Goodwin's excellent scholarship.

I highly recommend this book as an insight into the personalities of two extraordinary people thrust into extraordinary times.
Am I embarrassed to admit that I saw this book as a local bookstore on the table, and passed it up originally? Yes! I'm an unoffical scholar of our 32nd president and his wife, and admire their work and lives almost as I do this president Lincoln, Life-Size.

The Roosevelts have a lure over me that I can't quite explain. Perhaps their persistent progressivism, that is so missing in our country today, refreshes. Whatever the case, when I saw the cover of the book on the table, I went over and leafed through a couple of pages ... and then walked on. Why? I thought, "Who needs to read another book on the Roosevelt marriage? Hasn't that been written about before?". The answer is yes, and no. Hazel Rowley's new book is a fresh look at this great couple, and a read that was well-worth my time.

First let me say that this book doesn't uncover any major new revelations. What Crowley has brilliant done is nuanced the current knowledge of the Roosevelts and added much dynamics and commentary to what we already know. For example, any Roosevelt reader knows about the infamous Mercer affair. Covered in this book, Mercer strives to paint a picture of Eleanor after the affair as not distant or unkind, but still caring of her husband. Crowley publishes excerpts of letters between the two that suggest just as much. In fact, when FDR contracts polio, it is Eleanor that nurses her husband, and even sleeps in the window bed beside him.

Crowley also strives to dismantle the common conception of the battle between Sara Roosevelt and Eleanor. While certainly conflicts existed between the two, they were mutually fond of each other. Crowley also presents some letters of fondness between the two women that show their affection. Was it perfect? No. The lives of two strong women are bound to come in conflict, and it did not diminish the feelings between the two. Tour FDR's house in Hyde Park, and a ranger will tell you just as much.

In fact, I ended up purchasing this book on my for that very purpose. Just prior to Thanksgiving, I had the honor of visiting his house And because I read this interesting book that focused not so much on history, but on love, the Roosevelts came alive for me ever more in that house. It's quite a read for quite a couple, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. This would must a great Christmas present for a Roosevelt fan in your family, or anyone wanting to read about an amazingly complicated marriage.