"If You Ask Me" offers valuable insights into Roosevelt's own journey of self-discovery and personal growth in her responses to letter writers' dilemmas. She reflects on the lessons she has learned throughout her life, from her childhood struggles with insecurity and self-doubt to her later achievements as a champion of human rights and social justice. Overall, "If You Ask Me" is a timeless and thought-provoking collection that offers readers a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of one of America's most iconic figures.

When I started to read this, I wasn’t sure that I would connect to advice given more than fifty years ago. Upon reading, however, I found myself relating to both Eleanor Roosevelt, her readers, and the issues of the times much more than I anticipated. The topics range from war to motherhood, gender to religion, and aging to economics. This is a thoughtfully collected book of advice, and I found it entertaining, insightful, and inspiring to read. It’s certainly still relevant today. I also enjoyed that this was easy to pick up and put down as needed. You can easily read a few pieces of advice at a time and enjoy it.

Eleanor Roosevelt was an extremely well read and well spoken individual. The book doesn't really do justice to her by pastiching her quotes together.

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to read this book! I appreciate the kindness. <3

This book was very old, which I did not realize when I downloaded it. It is, what it is or was. You would have to love Eleanor Roosevelt to get through this.

This is essentially one long-form Q&A with Eleanor Roosevelt that was collected over her lifetime. The book is divided up into topics such as women and gender, etiquette, race and ethnicity, and politics and economics. She was a very wise woman and had a lot of important things to say and there is a wealth of wisdom in this book. I did not care for the Q&A format, however. I found it distracting. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I have long admired Eleanor Roosevelt and her work. She was a tireless champion for the less-fortunate, for women, minorities and those who did not have a voice of their own. She was such a strong, intelligent, compassionate woman, and that shines through here in “If You Ask Me”. At a time when a woman was expected to smile, support her husband and stay quiet, Eleanor was a gift of honesty, hope and courage. She defied many norms, and led the way for women throughout the world. Many people who know her name may only know her as a First Lady, but she was so much more. And after her husband’s death she continued to be a force in the world for change. This book helps you to learn a little more about the woman behind the name. And it seems these days, more than ever, we need to be reminded of the goodness of people. Eleanor had goodness in spades. She may have been born to privilege, but she was down to earth and wonderfully, warmly human. This book is a great example of the lovely woman she was.
Note: I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

*RECEIVED FROM NETGALLEY
When reading this book, I thought I was listening to a show hosted by Eleanor herself. The advice that she gave is relevant to this day. Nothing else to say.

IF YOU ASK ME by Eleanor Roosevelt contains her "essential advice" on ten issues that reverberate today, including women, race, politics, religion and health. Based on her advice column which appeared in Ladies Home Journal, this will be a fun – and eye opening – book for students to consult. Each answer is followed by the date it appeared in brackets, like this: "Do you really think all men are created equal? Yes, but they do not always have an equal opportunity for development, either before or after birth. [November 1943]" IF YOU ASK ME has a short introduction written by one of Roosevelt’s granddaughters, several pages of notes, a bibliography, and suggested additional reading, plus a series of photographs on the end papers.

Readers, especially students, will be surprised by the relevance to today of many of the comments that "ahead-of-her-time" Eleanor Roosevelt made decades ago.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Things that people were worrying about 80 years ago - money, marriage, war, jobs - are the same things we are worrying about in 2018. Roosevelt's advice is as applicable today at it was in the 1940s/50s. The book, edited by Mary Jo Binker, is organized by topic rather than date/column, so all of Roosevelt's relevant advice on a particular issue is presented together. Binker does a great job of giving historical context to certain sets of questions. As a history major a decade removed from American History 101, a gentle reminder of happenings during that time period was much appreciated. Roosevelt is smart, sassy, and incredibly funny. But she is also incredibly honest and forthright, and doesn't pull any punches. It's apparent that Roosevelt was largely respected by her readers, and it is equally apparent that she took great care in thoughtfully responding to them. Even to the most mundane of questions.

There was some repetitiveness/significant similarity in the questions asked and the advice given. 20-30 pages could probably have been cut out without losing any significant questions/advice. Roosevelt's advice on depression, which essentially boils down to "get up, go to work, and keep busy and all will be well" is a not a good look. However, it was likely the prevailing opinion at the time. A note that there has been significant advances in the treatment for mental health issues in the 60+ years since her advice columns would not have been out of place.

Review goes live 11/9/2018

Have you ever found yourself in a situation and wondered "what would Eleanor Roosevelt do?" (No? Just me?) Her concise, considerate answers to many of the hundreds of questions posed to her "If You Ask Me" magazine column from 1941 through 1962 have been compiled into this lovely little book. They cover everything from etiquette to world peace, from her time as First Lady to her time at the United Nations, and remind you why she was (is) such a beloved American icon: her unwavering kindness, logic, fairness, justice and hope.

Her answer to the question "What is your greatest fear?" is my particular favorite, especially in light of our current political climate:

"My greatest fear has always been that I would be afraid - afraid physically or mentally or morally - and allow myself to be influenced by fear instead of by my honest convictions."

Side note: This book is also a fascinating peek back into history, at the concerns and worries people had about things that were of-the-time (war bonds, rock and roll, communism) and about things that are apparently timeless (crazy teenagers, discrimination, war).

If you are a fan of Eleanor Roosevelt you should read this book. Eleanor Roosevelt was a lady way ahead of her time and she had some wonderful advice. This is a must read for all women.

What an unexpected gem this turned out to be. I knew nothing about Elanor Roosevelt other than she was a former first lady. By reading responses to questions submitted by readers, I found her to be intelligent, funny, often a woman ahead of her times and straight-forward.


I liked that this book was broken down by topics. I also enjoyed that there was some background history provided within each chapter. This book ended being entertaining and educational.

My thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley.

Twenty years of advice columns honed down to the best of the best - this history is Eleanor Roosevelt in all her sage wisdom. This is a book to keep by the side of the bed when questions keep your mind spinning. Eleanor has all the answers.

Eleanor Roosevelt is one of those historical figures who I know very little about. Because of this, it was the format of this book that really pulled me in. Using old advice columns that she had written throughout her later life, Roosevelt discusses politics, manners and everything in between. Some of her opinions are so modern and fitting for both political parties. I loved having the chance to get to know Eleanor Roosevelt through her own words and not through someone else’s interpretation of them. She was a very sensible and well-educated woman and I can see why she still serves as a role model for so many people. While it is a little dry to read from cover to cover, I still think this is perfect for people with all levels of interest in Eleanor Roosevelt.

An annotated selection of Eleanor Roosevelt's columns, with particular attention paid to how her responses have aged and continue to resonate in the common era. Excellent for Roosevelt family fans or advice column aficionados, but less approachable for the casual reader.

Netgalley review.

Honestly, this book was lacking in substance. It attempted to put Eleanor Roosevelt into a modern context, but when that context conflicted an idealized version of Roosevelt, they backed down. Did not finish.

I've long been a devout yet uneducated fan of Eleanor Roosevelt. I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this and was not disappointed!

I always love reading about powerful women in history, so I was extremely excited when I was given the opportunity to read If You Ask Me Essential Advice From Eleanor Roosevelt by Mary Jo Binker. This books is amazing! I love the historical notes that helped bring the advice column clips to life. Seeing the advice from Roosevelt's and Binker’s perspective also showcases how much society has evolved in some ways but has remained stagnant in other social aspects. This is a great read and I am sure it will be a hit when it is released this October!

If You Ask Me is a collection of advice articles Eleanor Roosevelt wrote over a period of twenty years. Interesting for a number of reasons: human problems and questions are remarkably similar regardless of the era; Mrs. Roosevelt took each question seriously and responded with insight and kindness no matter the topic; common sense and civility are in each response.

"Covering a wide variety of topics—everything from war, peace, and politics to love, marriage, religion, and popular culture—these columns reveal Eleanor Roosevelt’s warmth, humanity, and timeless relevance."

NetGalley/Atria Book
History/Advice. Oct. 9, 2018. Print length: 272 pages.