Cook, Blanche Wiesen (Roosevelt, Eleanor)

Eleanor Roosevelt Volume One (1884-1933)

ISBN: 067080486X
New York, NY, USA: Viking Press, 1992. First Edition. Hardcover. “Eleanor Roosevelt is the most important woman in American political history, and in this definitive biography, ten years in the making, Blanche Wisen Cook re-creates her in all of her roles—as a visionary, an activist, a political wife, and a woman, far more independent than we knew. No other First Lady has had a greater influence on the course of democracy in this century, and no other book about Eleanor Roosevelt captures the complexity of her character—her wit, her passion, her boldness, and her commitment to greater dignity and security for all women and men.” (from front flap) Presented here is the first of three volumes dedicated to the life of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s (1982-1945) first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962). Eleanor Roosevelt was a steadfast political figure, diplomat, and activist and redefined the role of first lady of the United States. This volume starts with Eleanor’s birth in 1884 and ends with her husband’s presidential inauguration in 1933. Roosevelt had a complicated and rather tragic childhood — of which will be better detailed in this extensive book — with her mother Anna Rebecca Hall (1863-1892) dying from diphtheria and her father dying two years later after falling out of one of the windows of the sanatorium he was in due to alcoholism. This volume also includes the romantic affair in its beginning and end between Eleanor and Franklin, including their first meeting in 1902, the initial disapproval from the Roosevelt family — as the two were fifth cousins once removed — the wedding in 1905, and of course, the reveal of Franklin’s affair with Eleanor’s social secretary in 1918 which would completely re-contextualize their relationship to one another. Blanche Wiesen Cook (b.1941) is a historian and a professor of history as well as a syndicated columnist and radio broadcaster, and senior editor of the Garland Library of War and Peace. Her definitive three volumes of Eleanor Roosevelt’s life won multiple awards and all three were on the The New York Times bestseller list. Cook writes Roosevelt like a person and is determined to put her complexity and beauty on full display. There is no better source for Eleanor Roosevelt than Cook’s definitive biography. This a must-have for any scholar or avid fan of politics, American history, and how a woman with immense personal power can share that power with an entire nation. Be sure to also check out the following volume, Vol II The Defining Years 1933- 1938 listed on our site (Item 6918)! From the collection of Barbara (1935-2023) & Irving (1933-2018) Nusbaum - world travelers, connoisseurs, eminent collectors of art & books, and the dearly beloved late parents of our esteemed founder, Arthur S. Nusbaum. Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket: First edition though not stated at copyright page, first printing as indicated by number sequence thereon. Book is in very fine condition with some minor browning on page block and minor marking/rubbing on back cover at bottom corner near spine. Dust jacket is fine with minor scratching/rubbing to front and back covers; minor bumping and creasing to fine edges; moderate toning to edges of interior and inner flaps; mild browning to upper edges of left-side interior and back flap; and minor folding & creasing at upper and lower edges of inner flaps. An extra handling fee of $1.50 will be added for shipping due to the size and weight of this item. Very Fine / Fine. [Item #6920]

Price: $35.00