Overview

A deep exploration of how Eleanor Roosevelt's Christian faith led her to become one of the most well-known and praised humanitarians. ""A fresh take on the influences that formed a key figure in 20th-century American history."" Publishers Weekly A great woman who was heavily involved in politics, Eleanor Roosevelt is considered one of the most important and beloved First Ladies and female leaders. Her faith and beliefs are commonly dismissed as confines of her upbringing that she broke free from; however, her dedication to the Episcopal Church and her reliance on Jesus's teachings imply otherwise. Her nightly prayer, famously recorded in her writing, demonstrates her approach to serving her community and nation, and her inspiration and strength in the politics she was involved in become apparent when understanding the context of her religion and considering the fulfillment of her beliefs through her actions. In reviewing observations from family members, her own writing, and her participation in the church, Mitchell examines the impact of Eleanor's faith on her work, and by extension, its impact on the world.

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9781640658455

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Reviews

""Having produced an excellent biography of Frances Perkins, Donn Mitchell revisits the Episcopal inheritance of another New Deal figure, spiritual activist Eleanor Roosevelt. This biography is the first to deeply explore the formation and practice of one of the most visible global women leaders of the mid-twentieth century. Throughout, Mitchell capably brings to life the connections between Eleanor Roosevelt's spiritual center and her active church life, as well as her consequential public activism. Roosevelt admirers, as well as those interested in religious and political history, will appreciate this accessibly written book. In an era marked by widespread uncertainty about the church's effectiveness in addressing human suffering, this book offers an example of the power of one life dedicated to Christian activism."" -- ""The Rev. Dr. Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, EdD, PhD, Historiographer of The Episcopal Church, Editor, Anglican and Episcopal History"" ""Mitchell makes a convincing case that Roosevelt's moral compass was formed by her personal spirituality, the communal element of church life, and biblical narratives that subconsciously informed the way she perceived the world. It adds up to a fresh take on the influences that formed a key figure in 20th-century American history."" -- ""Publishers Weekly"" ""No account of the extraordinary life and achievements of Eleanor Roosevelt is complete without attention to the ways her deep Christian faith affected every aspect of her public and private life. Yet most of her biographers have followed the trend of political historians to minimize the role of religion in the lives of their subjects. Now, thanks to this richly sourced spiritual biography by Donn Mitchell, no one will be able to make that mistake again."" -- ""Mary Ann Glendon, author of A World Made New""

Author Information

Donn Mitchell is a professor at Fordham University. He has previously taught at the General Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Manhattan College. Mitchell is the author of Tread the City’s Streets Again: Frances Perkins Shares Her Theology, and has contributed to A Promise to All Generations, edited by Kirsten Downey and Christopher Breiseth, as well as Rebuilding Communion: Who Pays the Price?, edited by Peter Francis. His work has appeared in The Christian Century, The Living Church, and Anglican Theological Review. He lives in Princeton, New Jersey.  

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