Perspective

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote "You Learn by Living" in the first person. She was raised in a well-to-do family and married young to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who later became President of the United State of America. By being the first lady, she attained insight into politics and was also privy to many private matters that concerned international relations and certain organizations.

Eleanor Roosevelt was also a social activist who advocated reform in many institutions such as prisons and hospitals. She published You Learn by Living in 1960, previously having published This is My Story in 1937. She followed these up with My Day in 1962 and Tomorrow is Now in 1963.

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote this book in response to the frequent questions for help she received in her mail. People seemed to want to know what she had learned that would help them through dilemmas in their personal lives. Eleanor Roosevelt mapped out...