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You Learn by Living by Eleanor Roosevelt
Genre: Non-Fiction | Memoir | Personal Development
My Review Rating: ♥♥♥♥
224 Pages | Published: April 26, 2011 by Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Originally Published: January 28, 1960
Book Jacket Synopsis
One of the most admired people of the twentieth century, Eleanor Roosevelt remains a role model for a life well lived. At the age of seventy-six, just two years before her death, Roosevelt penned this simple guide toward a more fulfilling life. The commonsense ideas—and heartfelt ideals—presented in this volume are as relevant today as they were five decades ago. Her keys to a fulfilling life? Learning to Learn Fear: The Great Enemy; The Use of Time; The Difficult Art of Maturity; Readjustment Is Endless; Learning to Be Useful; The Right to Be an Individual; How to Get the Best out of People; Facing Responsibility; How Everyone Can Take Part in Politics; and Learning to Be a Public Servant.
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads
Favorite Quotes
- We all create the person we become by our choices as we go through life. In a very real sense, by the time we are adult, we are the sum total of the choices we have made.
- The only way in which we can really help people to develop is to let them do it themselves, trying to show them by demonstration, if we can, the things that are really needed. But to force anything upon an individual is rarely successful in helping him develop his own individuality.
- Since everybody is an individual, nobody can be you. You are unique. No one can tell you how to use your time. It is yours. Your life is your own. You mold it. You make it.
- Favorite Quote (on reading!): What counts, in the long run, is not what you read; it is what you sift through your own mind; it is the ideas and impressions that are aroused in you by your reading.
Review & Thoughts
Initial Thoughts: I’ve always admired Eleanor Roosevelt from hearing quotes of things she’s said but hadn’t realized that she wrote a book. I purchased a paperback copy labeled as a fiftieth anniversary edition, so you know it’s a good one!
Themes, Elements & Review Notes: I love the concept of learning to learn and the importance of being excited about learning as much as you can about everything around you. Great sound bites and a closer look into the perspective of a well-received First Lady.
In a Nutshell: Despite being published decades ago, this book holds many topics and ideas that are still relevant today.
Book Format & Source: Paperback copy purchased from Book Outlet
About Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (/ˈɛlᵻnɔːr ˈroʊzəvɛlt/; October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962) was an American politician, diplomat, and activist. She was the longest-serving First Lady of the United States, holding the post from March 1933 to April 1945 during her husband President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four terms in office, and served as United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1945 to 1952. President Harry S. Truman later called her the “First Lady of the World” in tribute to her human rights achievements.
Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia via Amazon’s Author Page.
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