The mutually energizing and often volatile friendship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson - unexplored in depth by scholars until this study - was one of the last century s remarkable political alliances. Both Stevenson and Eleanor Roosevelt shared a view of politics as a moral enterprise, one in which the fulfillment of its "mission" was the betterment of the human condition. This belief was the foundation upon which their legislative initiatives were constructed. Employing letters and diaries as well as contemporary media accounts, this book examines the perspectives, the convictions, the style, and the spirit that both principals brought to the calling of public service.

"As we continue our quest for the politics of hope - a world without racism, poverty, war - Richard Henry vividly restores the visions of Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson. Fascinating and filled with surprises, this is a most timely book." - Blanche Wiesen Cook, John Jay College and The Graduate Center, CUNY, and author of Eleanor Roosevelt: Volume I, II, and III, and The Declassified Eisenhower

"Richard Henry gives us a portrait of two great American patriots who believed that politics is an honorable profession and that public service is a citizen s highest honor. Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson were devoted to peacemaking in the twentieth century - and this book reminds us of their exceptional and inspired contributions." - Newton N. Minow, law partner of Adlai Stevenson

"A revealing portrait of two of our most iconic leaders, Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson, and their extraordinary relationship." - Stephen Schlesinger, author of Act of Creation: The Founding of the United Nations

"While Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson are familiar figures in twentieth century political history, Richard Henry has provided new insights into their special relationship. Based on prodigious research, the author brings ER and the Guv to life, reminding us in our own distressing times that political discourse does not have to be hateful and societies and governments must ultimately be judged by how they treat even their least advantaged members." - F. Alan Coombs, Emeritus, Department of History, University of Utah

"The account of the friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson, here presented largely in their own words, details their efforts to promote the U.N. and to make social reform the central mission of the Democratic Party. In doing so they built the foundations for the New Frontier and the Great Society. As Richard Henry demonstrates, they pursued their goals with a punctilious civility now so rare in American public life."

John Morton Blum, Professor Emeritus, Yale University

Autorentext
RICHARD HENRY is a retired pastor and independent scholar, and the author of Norbert Fabian Capek: A Spiritual Journey.

Inhalt
PART I The United Nations: Crucible of the Alliance PART II The 1952 Campaign On the World Stage Race as an Issue A Second Run for the Presidency Civil Rights Again Strains in the Alliance Cross-Currents on Race The 1956 Democratic Convention Campaign Trail Again Aftermath: Time for Reflection The 1957 Civil Rights Bill The Alliance Loosens End of the Alliance Transition PART III Eleanor, Adlai and J.F.K. Coda The Summing-Up