No Ordinary Time | Topics for Discussion & Projects

No Ordinary Time Topics for Discussion

This book is part of a new genre that mixes intimate details of a subject's life with historical events. In some chapters, details of love affairs take up as much space as details about presidential actions that affected the lives of millions. What do you think about psycho-biography? Do you think such intimate details are necessary for understanding the subjects? Do you believe it is fair to the subject who can no longer defend himself?

Discuss how Eleanor's politics complemented the politics of her husband.

Roosevelt's doctors knew that he was dying before he chose to run for his fourth term as President. People close to FDR knew his health was failing. Why do you think Roosevelt wanted a fourth term? Why couldn't the presidency be turned over to someone else? Why didn't he groom a successor or take interest in his vice presidential choice?

In 1939, Hitler was willing...
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