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7th out of 15 books
—
5 voters
Empty without You: The Intimate Letters of Eleanor Roosevelt & Lorena Hickok
In 1978, more than 3,500 letters written over a thirty-year friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok were discovered by archivists. Although the most explicit letters had been burned (Lorena told Eleanor's daughter, "Your mother wasn't always so very discreet in her letters to me"), the find was still electrifying enough to create controversy about the nature...more
Paperback, 344 pages
Published
October 5th 2000
by Da Capo Press
(first published October 1st 1998)
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Loved this book on so many levels. Fascinating to read about Eleanor and Lorena and their relationship through their letters to each other.
It is though a rather sad book in that by the end you've read a lifetime of intimate letters between friends including their endings. You kind of wish when two people share a life of love, and I'm not willing to go so far as to say they loved each other in romantic way for the whole time, or at least not on Eleanor's part, that it could go on forever and nev...more
It is though a rather sad book in that by the end you've read a lifetime of intimate letters between friends including their endings. You kind of wish when two people share a life of love, and I'm not willing to go so far as to say they loved each other in romantic way for the whole time, or at least not on Eleanor's part, that it could go on forever and nev...more
Excellent read. Makes me sad to think that the letter writing days are numbered in today's society. It's a beautiful art and this book clearly depicts the deep connection these women shared through their many letters over the years.
This is an amazing story about love, friendship and a relationship whose depth was never allowed to show at the surface, spanning through years--amazing journey about our history and the relationship between these two women.
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It's such a great opportunity to read so many of the actual letters and the editor's notes were helpful. Having said that, I had to rank it down a little because I couldn't finish it. I ended up skimming the second half.
Eleanor Roosevelt has always been of interest to me. Her letters open up a side of the woman few if any of us know. She was able to lead her life during a time when woman in the U. S. had few to no options.
Loved this long, intimate look into an evolving relationship between two remarkable women. From passion to deep friendship at a fascinating time in American history.
A fascinating view into the intimate relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok. Reading the letters there's no doubt of that they had a romantic relationship. Over the years, though, their relationship becomes more of a friendship but that doesn't diminish the importance they had in each others' lives. The letters also provide a neat glimpse into that time period and how Eleanor Roosevelt shaped the role of First Lady. Admittedly the letters are not always that exciting and I prob...more
Reading this because I'm doing a reading of a musical based on the letters of Lorena Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt. Fascinating relationship, fascinating women, fascinating time.
i wanted this to be much much juicer, easier to read, and less sad.
How can you not love a book that has the quote, "Had the Supreme Court over to lunch. They seemed to have a good time." ? Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickock were intimate friends and probably lovers. The early letters are passionate and moving. This is an intimate look at these famous women, but also a dose of reality on what it was like to live closeted and secret lives. Wish Lorena could have lived to see a more liberated society.
The letters got to be tedious because they describe the very mundane events in Lorena Hickok and Eleanor Roosevelt's lives. More interesting were the footnotes because I was able to gleam information about the era.
A beautiful, heartbreaking love story.
Jun 25, 2011
Catherine Jones
added it
Still reading
The narrative surrounding these two women is so interesting, and Streitmatter does a wonderful job of providing the context and information needed to read the letters like a story. That said, the First Lady wrote odd diary-style letters simply detailing her days and the majority of the letters in this book are hers, which makes for some slightly dull and incredibly monotonous reading in sections. As the war came on and their relationship strained, the book (and letters) became much more interest...more
This excellent collection of letters allows a telling glimpse into a passionate relationship that continued as a friendship for many years. My biggest regret is that Lorena Hickok burned many of Eleanor Roosevelt's letters because they were indiscrete. I was slow in getting into this book in part because of the extensive footnotes, which are a bit distracting if useful (particularly in explaining the many references Eleanor makes to the people in her daily life). Well-worth reading.
I have always been interested in Ms. Roosevelt and Ms. Hickok’s relationship so this book was perfect. The letters between these women are heartfelt and beautiful, even when they are only writing about their everyday lives. The footnotes included by Mr. Streitmatter offer an unobtrusive look at the political landscape during the time the two were exchanging letters. Bittersweet at times, this is a remarkable book for anyone who is interested in these two extraordinary women.
This book was an interesting chronicle of an intimate relationship set against the backdrop of a rich history of the United States.
I give this book four stars because it must have been an incredible work of scholarship to pull these together and annotate them. The letters are fascinating. All in all, however, I wish the book was written more as a narrative history with excerpts of the letters--which I think would have been more interesting to read.
Intimate look into the love affair between Eleanor Roosevelt and newspaper reporter Lorena Hickok. Beginning as friends, the relationship turned romantic and grew into a passionate affair. Great insight into the workings of FDR and the political force Eleanor became.
This was an interesting insight into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. Regardless of the nature of the relationship of these two women they both had a really strong bond and loved each other very much.
Not only was she a handsome woman, but an obsessive chronicler, dyke and letter-writer who has made me cry on account of Lorena many times.
I love these letters! Intimate, tender, loving... They are a window into a unique relationship and time period in history.
Now I know how she put up with FDR.
Oct 18, 2010
Rachel
is currently reading it
A must-read for an understanding of how much we owe these two women, Eleanor especially. This country's politics is so not right when we think of Eleanor being in that white-colored house for *twelve* years. It just isn't. We owe her dearly. I haven't gotten all the way through it, but it totally sheds light on so much our grandparents never discussed with us, or even if they did.
Jun 16, 2013
Tesni
marked it as to-read
Jun 16, 2013
Anna
marked it as to-read
Jun 15, 2013
Daveia
marked it as to-read
Jun 08, 2013
T
marked it as to-read
Jun 06, 2013
Kathleen Rayos
marked it as to-read
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Rodger Streitmatter is a journalist and cultural historian whose work explores how the media have helped to shape American culture. He is currently a professor in the School of Communication at American University.
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