From the Publisher
Brava, October 2011
“A lively and honest look at her life, her politics, and so much more.”
Library Journal - Audio
02/15/2015
In her autobiography, Roosevelt (1884–1962) goes into great detail about life in the public eye during World War II, so much so that it can be a bit confusing for those not well versed in the minutiae of the war. Her firsthand accounts of a critical time in history are absorbing. Roosevelt's accomplishments included raising five children, frequently serving as eyes and ears for her husband, working as a newspaper columnist, striving for human rights as chair of the Commission on Human Rights, and being a delegate to the United Nations and a diplomat. Her life was extraordinary. Listeners who have heard old recordings of Eleanor Roosevelt may find it initially a bit disconcerting to hear Tavia Gilbert's voice reading Roosevelt's words, but Gilbert's professionalism and experience soon make up for the change in accent. VERDICT Recommended for World War II buffs and biography lovers.—Cheryl Youse, Colquitt Cty. H.S., Moultrie, GA
NOVEMBER 2014 - AudioFile
Eleanor Roosevelt’s life—from her birth in 1884 to her death in 1962—is read in the steady voice of Tavia Gilbert. Being the niece of Theodore Roosevelt and fifth cousin of her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor was in the unique position to experience life from inside the New York governor’s house and the White House over five decades, first under her uncle’s administrations and then her husband’s. Gilbert performs this autobiography crisply and with little emotion. As Roosevelt, Gilbert tells of life as a teacher; homemaker; mother to six children, five of whom survived; first lady; and humanitarian during and after FDR’s death. Gilbert’s performance lacks Roosevelt’s cultured tones. Surprisingly, there are no clips of Roosevelt’s own voice. Nevertheless, this audiobook performance will engage listeners from the first minutes to the last. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine