This riveting and enlightening account of Eleanor Roosevelt's fascinating life offers us glimpses of the Roosevelt life few of us could have imagined ... A terrible irony jumps off the pages of Russell's work here: We still are waging the same wars for equality and justice that Eleanor Roosevelt waged starting a century ago.
Besides Roosevelt’s political associations in the Village, the book also describes other significant relationships in her life, such as her long and complex love affair with Associated Press journalist Lorena Hickok. But Russell only skims the surface of the lesbian community in the Village and Roosevelt’s place in it, providing little new enlightenment on the subject ... Whatever its shortcomings, Eleanor in the Village is a worthy addition to the library on her life. The author reveals her obvious admiration of her subject in the lovely chattiness of her prose.
This is a concise and interesting history, but it could have benefitted from more time spent painting a picture of Roosevelt’s life in the Village. It seems the area and her experiences there made an impact, but it is unclear how exactly that happened. Instead, this book almost serves as a history of the Village itself, with time spent covering its famous inhabitants during the 20th century. Insight into Eleanor, her relationship with husband Franklin, and their house in New York, is occasionally interwoven throughout, though it may leave readers wanting more ... This biography of Eleanor Roosevelt concisely covers her life and connection to the Village, but it would have benefited from more time spent there. Primarily for supplement research on the Roosevelts.
Sketchy in parts, Russell fills in some vital history that adds to Roosevelt’s legendary life. Russell’s triumphant short chapters of her time abroad and her time in the Village are both moving and beautifully observed. As is the account of Eleanor’s devotion to Franklin during his physical recovery and political resurrection becoming the democratic nominee for president after his debilitating illness made the prospect seem unattainable.
A study of how a New York City community nurtured Eleanor Roosevelt’s life and thought ... journalist Russell offers a sympathetic portrait of Roosevelt, highlighting her long connection to Greenwich Village society and politics ... Besides chronicling Eleanor’s evolution as a public figure in her own right, Russell examines her flirtations and affairs, especially with newspaperwoman Lorena Hickok ... An admiring profile of an estimable woman.
Journalist Russell analyzes the powerful influence of Greenwich Village on the life and politics of Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) in this immersive history ... Russell has plenty of details to back up her argument that Greenwich Village was essential to forming Roosevelt’s character, and laces the narrative with illuminating asides about New York City history. The result is an original look at an iconic figure of American politics.
