About book Franklin And Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage (2010)
"Extraordinary marriage" is a tragic misnomer for this book. Better names might include:1. All the girls I've loved: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt2. The guide to infidelity3. Keeping up appearances: More important than faith, family, or fidelity4. An extraordinary partnership5. The close, romantic intimacies I've shared with others beside my spouse throughout our marriageEtcYou get the point. My heart was truly broken to see such a dysfunctional marriage at the pinnacle of our nation. It goes without saying that Franklin and Eleanor both did tremendous things, whether you agree with them or not, but marriage was not one of them. A harrowing tale of heartbreak that started with Franklin's surprising and ill-fated attraction to Eleanor, (though I believe it had more to do with her ties to Theodore Roosevelt) then moved quickly and unsurprisingly to his initial infidelity. How much more poignant would the story and their accomplishments have been had they remained faithful to one another, honoring the true fidelity and bonds of marriage. The other tragedy was the love, time and attention given to everyone other than their own children.It is amazing what people forsake in order to keep up appearances. I am intrigued with the concept of marriage that Eleanor and Franklin crafted to meet the inherent needs of their personalities and the political and cultural context of their time. Today political couples would not be allowed to have such an unconventional marriage. The scrutiny and judgment would be relentless. Because they were allowed to live their lives more privately they were able to bring the best of themselves to the country and the world. Ms Rowley's research and straight forward prose made the story of the Roosevelt marriage come to life.
Do You like book Franklin And Eleanor: An Extraordinary Marriage (2010)?
Fascinating. Not just politics, but lots of back story info that was interesting and inspirational.
—billyjean
One of the best nonfiction selections I have read. Fascinating from beginning to end.
—Camiimore90
It was a very interesting account of their complex relationship!
—shadygriffiths
