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No Ordinary Time

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the Home Front in World War II

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No Ordinary Time

Written by: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Pulitzer Prize–winning classic about the relationship between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, and how it shaped the nation while steering it through the Great Depression and the outset of World War II.

With an extraordinary collection of details, Goodwin masterfully weaves together a striking number of story lines—Eleanor and Franklin’s marriage and remarkable partnership, Eleanor’s life as First Lady, and FDR’s White House and its impact on America as well as on a world at war. Goodwin effectively melds these details and stories into an unforgettable and intimate portrait of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt and of the time during which a new, modern America was born.©1995 Doris Kearns Goodwin, All Rights Reserved; (P)1995 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved; Audioworks is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc. Americas Historical Military Political Science Politics & Activism Politics & Government Presidents & Heads of State United States Wars & Conflicts Franklin D Roosevelt War Imperialism American History Socialism Soviet Union Roosevelt Family Russia Winston Churchill Imperial Japan Submarine Biography Latin America Self-Determination Capitalism Interwar Period
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As much as I like and admire the author herself, I have had mixed feelings about some of her books. Not this one, though; No Ordinary Time is a compelling history that really focuses on the personal lives and relationships of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. It’s an intimate, moving story and she tells it here beautifully.

There is not a tremendous amount of detail on the historical events themselves, but that’s really the point here. The events of FDR’s presidency before and during the war have been documented exhaustively but we haven’t been given a lot of insight into the Roosevelts’ family and marriage.

Also, Edward Hermann should narrate any audiobook about FDR. He doesn’t attempt a full-on impression when reading passages attributed to Roosevelt but he affects JUST enough to give a nice sense. I’d happily listen to Hermann read the phone book.

Personal and moving

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The Roosevelts faced many personal challenges at the same time that they worked on transforming the American economy and later face the unraveling of the international order. This audiobook is an interesting biography of a couple rather than just FDR. Eleanor, was a formidable woman who managed to re-invent herself after the death of her husband to leave her own mark in the world. Overall, a very interesting listen.

A lesson on resilience

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I really liked it, it went by fast. I find FDR so fascinating as an individual, I would have liked more details on his day-to-day operations, but I suppose those have been lost to history. It seems also paints a very rosy picture of the Roosevelts despite the flaws explored within, hence why I feel like more detail could be useful.

very entertaining

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Goodwin is such a good writer, and Herman such a good narrator, that this book sails along. You will come away with new insights into this remarkable couple and the impact they had on each other and the world.

An engaging chronicle of the Roosevelts

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I very much enjoyed this novel. It flows well, was read well and gives honest insight into one of the most fascinating times in America, in my opinion. It is also not too long and a novel I finished in less than a week. Thank you for this audible presentation!

A good listen.

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