Theirs was a marriage that made history, yet surprisingly few historians have examined Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s private life. Despite the public’s enduring fascination with the Roosevelt legacy, their relationship has been steeped in lore and speculation --- until now. Drawing on an archival trove, the acclaimed biographer Hazel Rowley presents a bold, surprising, and ultimately inspiring examination of the partnership that sustained Franklin and Eleanor’s professional and personal aspirations. Rowley also brings to life the ways in which their partnership sustained the nation during economic collapse and world war, despite the controversies surrounding such an unconventional first couple.

From the earliest days of their courtship to FDR’s less-than-secret affairs and the rumors of Eleanor’s romantic liaisons with women, Rowley’s research takes a fresh approach, capturing the couple’s remarkable transformation from Victorian traditions to a radical alliance of equals. A book with enormous relevance to contemporary dialogues about the power of the presidency, Franklin and Eleanor brings the concept of political power brokers to life in a new way. We hope that the following suggestions for discussion will enrich your experience as you explore this intimate portrait of an extraordinary couple and their lasting effects on American life.