Another well-done Step into Reading biography by Random House! You get a lot of information ...................! Great addition to any classroom library!

This is a wonderful book that discusses not only Eleanor, but the institution of queenship in medieval England. Parsons is a master at looking at a subject from a variety of disciplinary approaches and angles. Readers should be warned it presumes a thorough knowledge of thirteenth-century European politics, though.

ELEANOR OF PALM BEACH is a biography of Eleanor Chase Fatio. Mrs. Fatio was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where she displayed literary talent from the earliest age. By the 1920's, when she herself was only about 20 years old, she already was a best-selling novelist.

Mrs. Fatio's affluent family began wintering in Palm Beach back when that resort was new. At the turn of the 20th Century, the Town of Palm Beach had been created, virtually whole cloth, by railroad and steel magnate Henry Flagler as an escape for the very rich.

Subsequently, Eleanor would marry Maurice Fatio, a Swiss citizen who became a naturalized American. According to letters Eleanor wrote, and which the author includes in this book, theirs was a great love match. Maurice was one of a handful of architects responsible for that opulent look now associated with contemporary Palm Beach, a style which has been adopted widely in affluent American communities.

Unquestionably, Eleanor and Maurice were accomplished and fascinating people. One of this book's greatest flaws is the sparcity of detail it offers; too often, his account is little more than a timeline of where they were and when. The author implies that the Fatio's surviving child gave him access to her mother's papers. At the least, it would have been nice if he would have reprinted the first chapter of one of Eleanor's bestsellers.

Nonetheless, this biography is a fascinating peek at the genesis of Palm Beach through the eyes of two of the people who gave form to the modern town. Thus, it is worthwhile reading, though the ending in inescapably sad.

This book is about Eleanor Roosevelt, from the time she was born to when she became the wife of Frankl D. Roosevelt,a U.S. president. Eleanor had a very tough life. her parents and her brother died when she was young, and she whent to live with her aunt,who was also ill. Many nights she could not go to sleep because she missed her family.When Eleanor was nine or ten she was sent to a private school where the girls did not pay any attention to her. Eleanor also had some good times in her life, like being married to the President of the U.S.A., having childeren, and being respected as an important person. She cared about people and became the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission became one of the most important committees in the United Nations. I would recomend this book to people everywhere who like to read biographies.

In his overview of Mrs. Roosevelt's "My Day" newspaper columns, Elmblidge succeeds by converting each year of columns into its own chronologized, self-contained chapter -- and within the framework of that chronology -- allowing the excerpts chosen to represent the most telling events of the "day," translation: fifties decade.

Elmblidge enables us to glide through this volume with his rich chapter introductions and an exposition preceding each excerpt. The result is not only a thorough understanding of the former First Lady's opinions on a wide array of social issues, but an absolute appreciation of an era in which she was so active and outspoken.

This book should be back in print! It is exceptionally well structured and straightforward; the personal stamp of the seasoned Mrs. Roosevelt is everywhere. Elmblidge's Volume III is an especially smart choice for those who did not experience the America (and world beyond) of the 1950's firsthand, but would wish to.

I really connected to both Camp David Diaries, not only did it appeal to the voyerism so popular on television today but it revealed a more intimate life of the not so private lives of these important women. These diaries, though fictional, have a reality to them that you can't sense in autobigraphical works. It also allows younger women like myself exposure to more positive role models. You come to understand the good and the bad behind such a powerfull position in our government and that it is not all it's cracked up to be. If you have any interest in women who have made strides in our country and how they faced that adversity this is the series of works to commit to reading. You'll love the back and forth commentary(gossip) of all the First Ladies as they add their two cents about certain people and certain affairs.

If you are an opera fan and do not yet know the name of Eleanor Steber, then read this book to discover America's greatest lyric soprano and her fascinating story. Those who remember her from the Voice of Firestone on radio and TV will relive the days of her barnstorming concert tours and recitals as one of the first "crossover" opera stars and America's most popular singer in the late 1940's. Those who heard her legendary opera performances and current admirers will enjoy Steber's colorful recollections of her career. A new generation of fans are now discovering this outstanding, but underappreciated artist and this book captures her energy, spirit and lifelong dedication to vocal music. Definitely not "ghostwritten," the book is honest and real, filled with proof of Steber's versatility, sheer musical talent, and her love of singing and life. A discography is included that will introduce a new fan to the available recordings.

Anne's writing style of events that took place in the history of Ireland, easy for any reader, at any level, to understand. The story comes to life and you soon find yourself, there, "going back in time" with the characters in the book. I recommend that the reader not just read one of her books, but the entire collection for that period, as Anne neatly weaves one character into the next book. The characters seem to have known each other or been related in some manner. It's a never-ending story of events that took place in the history of Ireland in the 1500s.

Dramatically narrated by Jean Stapleton, Eleanor: Her Secret Journey is a superb, eighty-minute monologue drawn by Rhoda Lerman from Eleanor Roosevelt's writings. We are introduced to a woman who justifiably became known as the "First Lady of the World" and perfectly captures the duality of a complex personality both in her public activities and her private life. Eleanor: Her Secret Journey is a wonderful addition to any school or community library audiobook collection, and a "must" for those with an admiration for one of the most influential American women of the 20th Century.

This ranks up there with Chogyam Trungpa's books for clearly presented insights. Trunpa's genius is making Buddhist ideas come alive for Western readers by clearly presenting Buddhist ideas in everyday terms. This book is a wonderful addition to the same delicious feast, building a bridge from Eastern mindfulness/awareness traditions to Western scientific thought. The effect is to improve our understanding of both. Very powerful and thought-provoking. Each page is like a meal. Hungry? Chew this one slowly and enjoy every bite!