Eleanor Roosevelt's My Day: First Lady of the World, 1953-1962

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.