Eleanor Franklin writes a story about her early life up through post-WWI and when her husband first fell ill with Polio. It's an interesting account of her upbringing, her education, her early married life, and her becoming an independent socially educated woman. I felt sorry for her while reading about her childhood, which Eleanor describes as being ignored by her mother and extended family members because she wasn't pretty or intelligent. In addition, she was looked at as clumsy, awkward and unable to accomplish much. Situations where her mother was very critical and punitive towards Eleanor were often pointed out being due to her ugliness, as well as her shaming the family by Eleanor's somewhat rambunctious behavior, which all led to her developing severe shyness and a poor self esteem. What a sad and lonely life she must have led! It is not until she marries and well into that relationship and following the post WWI era , that Eleanor begins to grow to realize her own intelligence, independence and self worth. I'm now compelled to read the more modern version of her autobiography, which covers the later part of her life and more of her humanitarian work.