Eleanor in the Village: Eleanor Roosevelt's Search for Freedom and Identity in New York's Greenwich Village

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A riveting and enlightening account (Bookreporter) of a mostly unknown chapter in the life of Eleanor Rooseveltwhen she moved to New Yorks Greenwich Village, shed her high-born conformity, and became the progressive leader who pushed for change as Americas First Lady.

Hundreds of books have been written about FDR and Eleanor, both together and separately, but yet she remains a compelling and elusive figure. And, not much is known about why in 1920, Eleanor suddenly abandoned her duties as a mother of five and moved to Greenwich Village, then the symbol of all forms of transgressive freedomcommunism, homosexuality, interracial relationships, and subversive political activity. Now, in this immersiveoriginal look at an iconic figure of American politics (Publishers Weekly), Jan Russell pulls back the curtain on Eleanors life to reveal the motivations and desires that drew her to the Village and how her time there changed her political outlook.

A captivating blend of personal history detailing Eleanors struggle with issues of marriage, motherhood, financial independence, and femininity, and a vibrant portrait of one of the most famous neighborhoods in the world, this unique work examines the ways that the sensibility, mood, and various inhabitants of the neighborhood influenced the First Ladys perception of herself and shaped her political views over four decades, up to her death in 1962.

When Eleanor moved there, the Village was a zone of Bohemians, misfits, and artists, but there was also freedom there, a miniature society where personal idiosyncrasy could flourish. Eleanor joined the cohort of what then was called The New Women in Greenwich Village. Unlike the flappers in the 1920s, the New Women had a much more serious agenda, organizing for social changeunions for workers, equal pay, protection for child workersand they insisted on their own sexual freedom. These women often disagreed about politicssome, like Eleanor, were Democrats, others Republicans, Socialists, and Communists. Even after moving into the White House, Eleanor retained connections to the Village, ultimately purchasing an apartment in Washington Square where she lived during World War II and in the aftermath of Roosevelts death in 1945.

Including the major historical moments that served as a backdrop for Eleanors time in the Village, this remarkable work offers new insights into Eleanors transformationemotionally, politically, and sexuallyand provides us with the missing chapter in an extraordinary life.

Reviews

"Eleanor in the Villageputs the focus on Eleanor as an individual separate from her roles as wife, mother and first lady. . . .[Russell] explores how life in the Villagewith its radicals, artists, early feminists and lesbiansmade an impact on Roosevelts personal and political convictions, and by extension on her husbands liberalism. . . .a worthy addition to the library on her life.Washington Post

"Engrossing. . . . a stimulating read.Women's Review of Books

The story of [Roosevelts] liberation. . . . a complete portrait of a pioneering feminist and pivotal political figure.New York Daily News

Moving and beautifully observed."New York Journal of Books

A sympathetic portrait of Roosevelt, highlighting her long connection to Greenwich Village society and politics. . . .An admiring profile of an estimable woman. Kirkus Reviews

"Immersive. . . .an original look at an iconic figure of American politics. Publishers Weekly

A riveting and enlightening account of Eleanor Roosevelts fascinating life. . . . A terrible irony jumps off the pages of Russells work here: We are still waging the same wars for equality and justice that Eleanor Roosevelt waged starting a century ago.Bookreporter.com

Author Bio

Jan Jarboe Russell is the author of theNew York TimesbestsellerThe Train to Crystal City: FDRs Secret Prisoner Exchange Program and Americas Only Family Internment Camp During World War II, winner of the Texas Institute of Letters Prize for Best Book of Nonfiction. She is a Neiman Fellow, a contributing editor forTexas Monthly, and has written for theSan Antonio Express-News,TheNew York Times,Slate, and other magazines. She also compiled and editedThey Lived to Tell the Tale. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Dr. Lewis F. Russell, Jr.