Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt

By: Eleanor Roosevelt

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 18 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Now back in print, a candid and insightful look at an era and a life through the eyes of one of the most remarkable Americans of the twentieth century, First Lady and humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt.

The daughter of one of New York's most influential families, niece of Theodore Roosevelt, and wife of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt witnessed some of the most remarkable decades in modern history, as America transitioned from the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, and the Depression to World War II and the Cold War.

A champion of the downtrodden, Eleanor drew on her experience and used her role as First Lady to help those in need. Intimately involved in her husband's political life, from the governorship of New York to the White House, Eleanor eventually became a powerful force of her own, heading women's organizations and youth movements, and battling for consumer rights, civil rights, and improved housing. In the years after FDR's death she became a U.N. Delegate, chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, a newspaper columnist, Democratic party activist, world-traveler, and diplomat devoted to the ideas of liberty and human rights.

This single volume biography brings her to life through her own words, illuminating the vanished world she grew up, her life with her political husband, and the postwar years when she worked to broaden cooperation and understanding at home and abroad.

©2014 Original material © 2014 by Elleanor Roosevelt. Recorded by arrangement with HarperPerennial. (P)2014 (p) 2014 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books.

Facinating book

I was completely fascinated by Eleanor Roosevelt's depiction of her own life - her narration is so modest in the face of so many achievements! Her musings on our attitudes towards life and each other are so relevant, even to this day.
The narrator's American accent (strange pronouncition of some words) detracted a bit from the effect, but overall this was an exceptional book!

simply amazing.

so much that we can learn from her story and apply to today's tumultuous times.

Recommended Read

This is an insightful look into our country in the past and a historical first lady.

This should be required reading in today’s history classes

Excellent insider account of history. Lessons we seem to have forgotten, and might well should reacquaint ourselves with in today’s political atmosphere.

This should be read by everybody

Eleanor Roosevelt has long been my hero and now she's risen even higher in my esteem, which I wouldn't have thought possible.

Every American should learn from her example.

I found the reading somewhat mannered, and a few names mispronounced, most alarmingly "Adlai" as "ad-lie", when it's supposed to be "ad-lay". Fortunately, the story itself contains such passion that the audible version is far outweighed by the reading.

Highly highly recommend.

Must read

The last half of the book helps explain what is going on in our country today. Things that were put in place by not only the United States but other world governments. Very interesting.

Relevant for the problems of this day....

I loved this book. It was interesting, and even though it was written long ago, it made me aware that had we dealt with the problems then, we would be further ahead today. Some things were interesting and light weight ....but her story really shines, as she matures, and her perspective becomes more global in nature. She becomes gritty, and tough as she ages; what an amazing woman. SLKW

It's OK, but not earth shattering.

It’s the Story of her privileged life, in a very different time. Easy to listen to, narrator is soothing.

Fascinating

This book was originally published in 1946. I first read it in 1960 just after I attended a lecture by Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962). Over the years I have read everything I could get my hands on about Eleanor. I was reviewing some notes the other day and decided it was about time I reread “Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt” by Eleanor Roosevelt.

The book is well written but it must be taken in the age it was written, by a woman of the 19th century. The book is written in the reserve style of that era. Eleanor reviews her early life in the large Roosevelt family. She goes into details about her life as first lady and at the end of her life her hopes for the United Nations. (Last section was added to new edition issued just before her death) I could see how Eleanor rose to the challenge of first lady and the need for her to be the eyes and ears for her invalid husband, the president. Many former first ladies were overwhelmed with the role but it brought out the best in Eleanor. Mrs. Roosevelt was a complex woman and to begin to understand her it is necessary to read a wide range books about her from all points of view. For anyone wanting to learn about Eleanor Roosevelt or about first ladies, this is a must-read book.

The book is eighteen and a half hours. Tavia Gilbert does an excellent job narrating the book. Gilbert is an actress, voice-over artist and audiobook narrator. Gilbert won the Audie Award for the Best Female Narrator for 2017.

Wrong Casting for Narrator

This autobiography was really interesting. It is mainly focused on Eleanor's political life. Eleanor guards against discussing any real feelings concerning her personal life. Nevertheless, I enjoyed learning about this remarkable woman's journey from an uncertain child to confidant and visionary leader concerning social and political ideals. She was an amazing woman.

My main disconnect with this audible rendition is the choice of narrator. While the narrator has a lovely youngish voice, this is a memoir written by an elderly woman. A mature narrator would have been far more effective.