One of the New York Times's 100 Notable Books of 2016One of NPR's 10 Best Books of 2016"Heartachingly relevant...the Eleanor Roosevelt who inhabits these meticulously crafted pages transcends both first-lady history and the marriage around which Roosevelt scholarship has traditionally pivoted." -- The Wall Street Journal The final volume in the definitive biography of America's greatest first lady. “Monumental and inspirational…Cook skillfully narrates the epic history of the war years… [a] grand biography.†-- The New York Times Book ReviewHistorians; politicians; critics; and readers everywhere have praised Blanche Wiesen Cook’s biography of Eleanor Roosevelt as the essential portrait of a woman who towers over the twentieth century. The third and final volume takes us through World War II; FDR’s death; the founding of the UN; and Eleanor Roosevelt’s death in 1962. It follows the arc of war and the evolution of a marriage; as the first lady realized the cost of maintaining her principles even as the country and her husband were not prepared to adopt them. Eleanor Roosevelt continued to struggle for her core issues—economic security; New Deal reforms; racial equality; and rescue—when they were sidelined by FDR while he marshaled the country through war. The chasm between Eleanor and Franklin grew; and the strains on their relationship were as political as they were personal. She also had to negotiate the fractures in the close circle of influential women around her at Val-Kill; but through it she gained confidence in her own vision; even when forced to amend her agenda when her beliefs clashed with government policies on such issues as neutrality; refugees; and eventually the threat of communism. These years—the war years—made Eleanor Roosevelt the woman she became: leader; visionary; guiding light. FDR’s death in 1945 changed her world; but she was far from finished; returning to the spotlight as a crucial player in the founding of the United Nations. This is a sympathetic but unblinking portrait of a marriage and of a woman whose passion and commitment has inspired generations of Americans to seek a decent future for all people. Modest and self-deprecating; a moral force in a turbulent world; Eleanor Roosevelt was unique.
#271726 in Books Westminster John Knox Press 1983-01-01 1983-01-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .68 x 6.14l; 1.17 #File Name: 0664244963326 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful Introduction to Christian TheologyBy John BenintendiI bought this book several years ago and just now picked it up. When I started it; I did not know that I would like it as much as I did. I read this book in a mere 6 days. The most wonderful aspect of this book is that it is a true introduction. The task of writing a history of Christian Theology is a monumental task but to do it in 400 pages is even more monumental. However; Placher did this very well in this book. This book hits the high points and gives a brief overview of the subject. This is what I was looking for in an introductory book. The other aspect of the book that I really liked was the list of other sources that are listed at the end of each chapter regarding the subject of the chapter. Placher also breaks down these sources as introductory sources and more difficult sources.This book gave me a good overview of Christian Theology and that is what I was looking for before I went into more depth with the subject. If you are looking for a very good introduction to Christian Theology; then I recommend this book. If you are not sure that you are interested in Christian Theology but are looking for a good; quick read to test the waters; then this is the book for you. If you are a student of Christian Theology; then this is not a book for you since it is just an introduction.This book reads well and quickly. The topics in the chapters are the highlights of Christian Theology over time. It maintains is pace and level of writing thoughtout the whole book. I look forward to reading more of Placher's books.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. a readable history of Christian TheologyBy J. Robert EwbankPlacher has done a remarkable job of presenting a history of Christian theology. It is difficult to write about such a broad sweep of theological history and secondly to write in such a way that it is intelligible. Because I am a Methodist I wish he had treated John Wesley with a more complete rendition of his abiliby to bring various concepts together in theology; however; one can't always have everything. A good job.J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley; Natural Man; and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Incredible JourneyBy Jeffrey Alan AndreWhat an excellent reading experience. Mr. Placher weaves the history of the Church and all of it's struggles into a incredible story that you can't put down. He takes the dry format of a textbook and transforms it into a journey of learning the beginnings of we now call the Church.
