Eleanor: A Spiritual Biography: The Faith of the 20th Century's Most Influential Woman

Eleanor: A Spiritual Biography. Harold Ivan Smith. Westminster John Knox Press. ©2017This is truly an outstanding look into the spirituality of a remarkable player on the international stage. Eleanor Roosevelt discovered early that her narrow Episcopal faith could not contain her growing acceptance of the many faith traditions that she encountered. She believed that since we were all created by the same God that we should treat each other as brothers and sisters. She believed as did St. Paul, “That we are all one in Christ Jesus.”The one glaring flaw in her spirituality was perhaps due to her strict Protestant upbringing and the aristocratic family circles in which she moved. She had a strain of anti-Semitic misgivings. She overcame them to a large extent later in life. She always regretted not doing more for the Jews.Eleanor had a truly miserable childhood. She was forced to become her own person. She had the saying from Saint Francis of Assisi posted above her desk and she carried another copy in her purse, “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.” Eleanor’s brand of personal Christianity won her unfaltering condemnation from the religious fundamentalists who were certain that she had not been “born again.” According to Smith, “Eleanor took the Bible too seriously to take it literally.” Although FDR’s unfaithfulness hurt her deeply, they came to an understanding that allowed them to become the world’s most influential couple ever. Louis Howe is the one who saw Eleanor’s potential and helped her hone her skills as a leader. He was also a major player in FDR’s success.Eleanor: A Spiritual Biography, may get a little wordy at times; however, it is an outstanding work.

While she lived and served before my lifetime, I always felt she was a strong and outspoken woman who was married to one of our most influential presidents. What this biography does is show how deeply spiritual she was in all her work. This is a must read for anyone who wants to know what it takes to become a truly effective and influential woman when all the odds are against you. I would recommend this to all young women readers who are struggling with trying to find their way in today's world with so many choices to make. Having a basic knowledge and love of Scripture is still an important moral grounding for an individual to have to enable them to make good decisions. Eleanor was the norm in her time and is still that today.

Very different detailed biography

I was suppose to read it for our lady group, I got half way through of the book. we had to report on the book. I liked Elenore better the last book I was suppose to read. gave it the library for the book sale and will do the same the last book when our local library opens up hope it is soon. There was another book I didn't someone else it for throw Amazon, called Threading my Prayer Rug. I didn't care for this book only read the first chapter wasn't appealing to me. Our lady group at church wanted us to read the books, both books were all right to read didn't care for Threading my Prayer Rug,Barbara

I am reading this book with a book group, and we are all really enjoying it!

Eleanor is one of the books United Methodist Women list in their reading program. It was excellent, a must read to understand the struggles women had at the time and learn what a strong woman Eleanor was.

It was one of the most moving accounts of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt’s life that I have ever read. The details of her early life lent a greater understanding and appreciation of who she was and how in spite of numerous barriers she not just survived but thrived.

Learn that she did a lot of things that I was not aware of. It open up my eyes to just how much she worked for the lower class people. Very informative . This was our United Methodist Women Reading Group selection for this year, along with several other books. it was a good read.