Negative Positive
Title: Appaling
Review: There's nothing like a poorly written biography to make even the most important of people seem totally useless. The best example of Eleanor's work that the author gives is that she "could shake a hundred hands in a receiving line" and that she "gave more teas...than any other First Lady" (3-4). The first two chapters, set before Eleanor was even born, belong in some trashy Victorian romance novel, and some of the most important characters in her life are either given only a passing mention or left out entirely. Direct quotes have no citations. At best flat and uninteresting drivel and at worst offensive, sexist and tacky, this book seems to perpetuate gender stereotypes that Eleanor fought against. Eleanor herself seems highly fictionalized here: she could "heal the sick with only a kiss." Youngs clearly needs to leave the academic field (before he gets thrown out) and pursue a career in writing cheap paperbacks.
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