My Parents - A Differing View

by James Roosevelt

Candid portrait of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. 16 pages of photos.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Presidents, Military History, Us Presidents, World War II

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Mikey B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some interesting thoughts on the authors famous parents, although somewhat harsh on his grandmother – Sara. It certainly illuminates the divide in his family with Elliot, who appears to be a bit of a maverick – he joined the Republican Party and opposed his father’s third term.

It’s amazing how often those Roosevelt’s got married (see page 321) and how many children they had from all their spouses! It’s a more or less candid view of his upbringing.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Roosevelt, the oldest son of FDR and Eleanor wrote this book because he felt his brother wrote a sensational and misleading book about his parents and wanted to set the record straight. He is believable: he didn't need money the other book brought in because it was sensational, wrote the first time that the President was having an affair with another woman. James loves and respects both of his parents though he knows they are not perfect. He wrote what they were really like as his parents and as he saw them in their public roles. He worked for years in the White House as an adviser to his father and because of his handicap accompanied him on most foreign travels. I think this was a credible, and very interesting to read story, I admire both Roosevelt's and was interested to know what they were like personally, at home, with others, and what made the public figures we saw.

[Steph Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and intimate view of the Roosevelt times from his first son James.

I especially enjoyed the quirky details about their growing up, nanny troubles and the relationship James had with his siblings and parents.

[Sandy Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! Difficult to read at times because of all the name dropping and politics. But worthwhile!