Eleanor Roosevelts Nightly Prayer: The Religious Life of the First Lady of the [Hardcover]

A deep exploration of how Eleanor Roosevelts 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 Jesuss 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 Eleanors faith on her work, and by extension, its impact on the world.

Mitchell makes a convincing case that Roosevelts 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.

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.

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