This novel shows Eleanor Roosevelt’s time during WWII. It was very illuminating because I did not know what role she played. The book is very well-written and engaging. There were times that I thought were repetitive and dry. Still, I recommend this for fans of the Roosevelts!

I was disappointed with this one. I’m a history buff and am very keen to read stories of women in history who have been overlooked. I’d read the author’s previous book about Julia Stimson and really liked it. But this time the pace was so slow and frankly boring. I stuck by to the end hoping it would improve, but it didn’t.

as interested in this book because one of my relatives actually saw Eleanor speak when she visited Australia during the war. I enjoyed it very much, and highly recommend it to readers interested in the Roosevelts, or the Second World War.

Eleanor Roosevelt didn't want to be a First Lady who greeted guests, and presided over official dinners. She wanted to make a role for herself, and did just that by travelling the country giving speeches, and inspecting New Deal initiatives. Her husband found her work so impressive that he suggested that she travel to the Pacific to see the American armed forces there. She undertook a gruelling tour living in harsh conditions in the tropics, talking to the Americans there, seeing their circumstances for herself, and telling the people at home about her experiences. She even visited Guidalcanal in the middle of an especially dangerous time. At first, Admiral Halsey was against this, but he was extremely impressed by the way that she uncomplainingly lived in severe conditions, tirelessly visited hospitals, and boosted morale.He said that she did more good than anyone else who visited his area.

Schmidt did a huge amount of research for this fascinating account.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a unique look at the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Many saw her has just the First Lady. That erases an awful lot about such an inspiring woman. She was the support that the President needed. She was an invaluable resource to the President and the county. She took a trip to the front lines, even when she was told not to go because it was too dangerous. She went to raise morale and get the real details about what was going on over there. She, in her way, made her way there and very few people knew where she was. She somehow made her way to the front lines without making headlines. Once there, she talked to people, made them feel heard, and made a real difference. If you would like to read a wonderful book about a missing piece of history, this is the book for you!

A very interesting book about she was amazing how she went to all these different islands in the middle of war to help the service man who Who were hurting battle. Eleanor was amazing 1st lady. She cared about people and she talked to people and this really helped them out. She worked closely with the red cross as well so they could get Letters out to people and care packages to the men who are hurt In battle. They're families. Boy was dying and she was talking to him and she You must get better and I will come and see your family in new york. The boy lived and they all met up eventually at the end of the war. What went on in the pacific war with japan was amazing how everybody pulled together. Even the maui's were involved in new zealand they also went out to To fight as well. She even went to Australia To see the boys over there as well. This took a lot of courage for a woman to do all this especially. And first Lady. Nothing would stop her even going to christmas island. I like this book because Show the history of The war in the Pacific. And how eleanor went there to give boys some morale to keep on fighting. I think people should always look at every side of a war because there's always somebody who's doing something really well. I cannot imagine flying to these places in the middle of a war zone. Dollar was very brave to do this and I think we need to know more About her history.

WW2, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history, history-and-culture, famous-persons, Pacific-theater-of-operations, 1943*****

When I was a teenager I wanted to learn how to knit sox because the woman who embodied the United Nations to me and others was often pictured knitting sox while waiting for whatever came next.
This book does justice to that woman and how she faced down the malignant racism and misogyny in the militaries of more than just the USA as well as the foolish back home. But not those who cared about the men in their command, like Adm. Halsey and others. Or the men she spoke with under rigorous conditions of war in the tropics.
The author has taken a massive amount of research materials and formed all that into a very readable accounting of Eleanor's time in the Pacific in 1943 as she herself reported it to the general public via radio and newspapers as well as the reports that she sent back to the President.
I was disappointed that the e-book did not have the photos that were credited at the end.
I requested and received an EARC from Sourcebooks via NetGalley. Thank you!

The First Lady of World War II
By: Shannon McKenna Schmidt
Review Score: 4 Stars

Five Key Feels
-It was so cool to learn how ground breaking Eleanor was!

-I liked learning about air travel at that time, and how the Roosevelt family really encouraged it.

-Her visit to New Zealand was so interesting, as she was the first ever First Lady to visit.

-You could feel the tension as she visited Guadalcanal.

-Her visit to Pearl Harbor was so moving.

———

The First Lady of World War II was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Sourcebooks. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 5/2/23

This was SUCH an interesting book. I know that Eleanor Roosevelt was an amazing woman, but I had no idea how much of a trail blazer she really was.

Her visits through the Pacific Front were so interesting and, at times, incredibly moving.

I learned so much more about World War 2, as well as Eleanor’s role in it.


#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #nonfiction #arcreview #netgalley #thefirstladyofworldwar2 #shannonmckennaschmidt #worldwar2 #eleanorroosevelt

This is an excellent book that centers only on a specific time period in Eleanor Roosevelt's life as First Lady. This particular period was when she journeyed to the frontlines of the war while most of the world thought she was at home. She was an amazing woman who used her time to support others around her. I liked the details in this book and thought the author did a fantastic job relaying how important her impact was on those around her. I enjoyed the book and if you like to read about women in history and their influence on world events, you will like the book too.

I really enjoyed this book. It covers a relatively short period of time, but places it in the larger context of Eleanor Roosevelt's vast contributions to American history and politics. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts from letters and diaries so that the reader gets a feeling of the impact of Eleanor's trip across the Pacific during the war. There has been a lot of historical research and writing on Eleanor Roosevelt, but I always marvel at her willingness to get in the trenches as it were and find out the tough things for herself. The will power and stamina she had on such a grueling journey would be amazing today, but it is even more impressive in the context of a world at war and 1940s technology. A fabulous addition to the Eleanor Roosevelt library.

'Behind every great man is a great woman', is a very apt proverb to describe Eleanor Roosevelt. 'The First Lady of World War II' is a case study on Eleanor's tireless works during the war, specifically her tour of the Pacific Islands during the late stages of the war; culminating at Guadalcanal which had been recently wrested from the Japanese, 'Eleanor was...heading deeper into a theater of war unlike any other in history - one where fighting took place across great distances on water and in places with harsh, unfamiliar surroundings.'

While the war in Europe turned towards a triumphant close, many US troops were stationed thousands of miles away, throughout the Pacific. The distance, lack of supplies, fuel, and transport, meant that troops were often stuck at their post - even on leave - for long periods. At times the war felt hopeless and the personnel waging it felt forgotten. Eleanor saw the need to be a presence and a comfort. She wanted to not only be the eyes and ears of the President but to bring hope and lift morale. The war was not over, but it was winnable.

Shannon Schmidt uses Eleanor's tour of the Pacific to not only highlight the harsh and crude conditions both she and the troops endured to get there and survive there but to also highlight the barriers, lies, and negativity she overcame in order to be there; as a woman and as the President's wife, 'More than any woman who ever lived in the White House she has succeeded in being herself despite its taboos'. As well as detailing Eleanor's island visits, Schmidt reflects on Eleanor's personality and intersperses anecdotes to exemplify Eleanor's journey in becoming the woman that she was, 'The war was my emancipation and my education'. Or, as one sergeant remarked, 'Damn, she's fine, ain't she'.

This is a good read for those interested in the war in the Pacific as well as women's history.

I’m not going to lie Eleanor Roosevelt has always been one of my favorite first ladies. And now even more so after reading this one. And learning that this awesome woman went to the front lines during WWII.

A beautiful and touching biographical moment in history depicting the unselfishness of Eleanor Roosevelt's journey to the front-lines during WWII. She was a dedicated leader for her quest to a better world even if it meant risking her own life to share a "beacon of hope" to the men and women serving our country. As the Japanese dropped air bombs while she visited the Guadalcanal, she wanted to be with the ordinary boys in extraordinary circumstances.
Against the higher command wishes, she experienced what the troops did so she could report back. She raved about the black & white serving side by side and both being well-cared for whether it was the injured or just being fed. She went on with her efforts to end segregation when she returned against society's beliefs. The leaders were hesitant to believe her trip would work, but later in awe of her compassion and impact on the wounded. She agonized with the most critical wounded and saw them not as a number but connected personally with each one she spoke with.
When the First lady came to the Christmas Islands, her leadership role was as a Representative of the Red Cross. All four sons were serving there and she understood what it was like for them to be away from family. She spent 5 weeks there as Allied forces battled the Japanese. She worked relentlessly for world peace.
This story is considered a fictional narrative, but I think it was very well researched in order to give the highlights of her meaningfulness and fearlessness. Great work for this timeless piece everyone needs to read and see what one person can do to make a difference in such a difficult time for many.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The First Lady of World War II Eleanor Roosevelt's Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back by Shannon McKenna Schmidt is an excellent nonfiction and biographical account of the former First Lady and her actions, encounters, and experiences when she traveled to the Pacific during WWII.

This was utterly fascinating. Being able to learn so much and delve into the extensive trip that Eleanor Roosevelt participated in as First Lady during 1943 was wonderful. I did not know very much about these excursions and the logistics behind such an ambitious and potentially risky undertaking.

This was presented well and impressively researched…even though it was nonfiction, it read as a fictional narrative. I learned a lot and enjoyed myself in the process. It was great from beginning to end. Highly recommend.


5/5 stars


Thank you NG and Sourcebooks for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/2/23.