This biography explores the profound and often overlooked spirituality of Eleanor Roosevelt, demonstrating how her faith fueled her activism. Harold Ivan Smith, an experienced biographer of religious figures, examines the formative spiritual influences on Eleanor Roosevelt, particularly her youth spent reading the New Testament. The book argues that her Jesus-centered spirituality was the bedrock of her lifelong commitment to civil rights, women's rights, and the marginalized, showing how she prioritized the needs of those on the societal margins despite her own privileged life.

This work is positioned as an in-depth look at a less-discussed facet of a prominent historical figure. The author's focus on spirituality suggests a text that aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of Eleanor Roosevelt's motivations and actions. It likely appeals to readers interested in both biography and the intersection of faith and social activism.