Synopses & Reviews
Curtis Roosevelt was three when he and his sister, Eleanor, arrived at the White House soon after their grandfatherand#8217;s inauguration. The countryand#8217;s and#147;First Grandchildren,and#8221; a pint-sized double act, they were known to the media as and#147;Sistie and Buzzie.and#8221;
In this rich memoir, Roosevelt brings us into and#147;the goldfish bowl,and#8221; as his family called itand#151;that glare of public scrutiny to which all presidential households must submit. He recounts his misadventures as a hapless kid in an unforgivably formal setting and describes his role as a tiny planet circling the dual suns of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Blending self-abasement, humor, awe and affection, Too Close to the Sun is an intimate portrait of two of the most influential and inspirational figures in modern American historyand#151;and a thoughtful exploration of the emotional impact of growing up in their irresistible aura.
Review
Publishers Weekly, October 2, 2008andldquo;Curtis writes affectionately and beautifully about his grandparents.andhellip; Along with relaying a rich and fascinating cornucopia of anecdotes involving family life, Curtis devotes thoughtful discussion to the complex subject of reflected fame and its impact on young people growing up as the scions of celebrity. No one alive today knew Franklin and Eleanor quite as well as Curtis, their eldest grandson, and his sister. Thus this splendid, intimate memoir represents an invaluable addition to the literature of the Roosevelt era.andrdquo;
Review
Kirkus, October 1, 2008andldquo;FDRandrsquo;s eldest grandson nostalgically recounts his childhood growing up in close proximity to his charismatic grandparentsandhellip;. He captures the delight of living at the White House from the perspective of a child given access to presidential marches, receptions and afternoon teas.andrdquo;
Review
USA Today, November 25, 2008andldquo;Even as a young boy Roosevelt had a keen eye to what was going on around him, and gives us a peek behind the curtains of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., including FDRandrsquo;s andlsquo;bedside breakfast meetingsandrsquo; where the president read the comics to his grandchildren while reviewing the dayandrsquo;s schedule with his advisers.andrdquo;
Review
St. Petersburg Times, December 30, 2008andldquo;[Curtis Roosevelt] tells wonderful, nostalgic stories about the president and the two Mrs. Roosevelts, who at a crucial time in the nationalandrsquo;s history still made time for their grandchildrenandhellip;. His was a memorable coming of age, and he brings it vividly to life in this richly illustrated memoir.andrdquo;
Review
Kirkus, October 1, 2008“FDR’s eldest grandson nostalgically recounts his childhood growing up in close proximity to his charismatic grandparents…. He captures the delight of living at the White House from the perspective of a child given access to presidential marches, receptions and afternoon teas.”Publishers Weekly, October 2, 2008
“Curtis writes affectionately and beautifully about his grandparents.… Along with relaying a rich and fascinating cornucopia of anecdotes involving family life, Curtis devotes thoughtful discussion to the complex subject of reflected fame and its impact on young people growing up as the scions of celebrity. No one alive today knew Franklin and Eleanor quite as well as Curtis, their eldest grandson, and his sister. Thus this splendid, intimate memoir represents an invaluable addition to the literature of the Roosevelt era.”
Synopsis
FDRand#8217;s grandson describes his strange and wondrous coming-of-age in the Roosevelt White Houseand#151;and the perils of a public childhood.
About the Author
Curtis Roosevelt is the second eldest child of Anna Eleanor Roosevelt and the oldest grandson of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1964, he joined the Secretariat of the United Nations, where for eighteen years he held various positions in the international civil service sector. He lives in France with his wife.