LORENA HICKOK is in a unique position to write the story of Eleanor Roosevelt’s transition from a private individual to First Lady of the land. As a newspaper reporter, she had known Mrs. Roosevelt since Al Smith’s campaign for President, and she was assigned by the Associated Press to cover her during her husband’s presidential campaign in 1932. With this new assignment, the two shortly became, as they have remained, very good friends.

The author was at Mrs. Roosevelt’s side throughout the momentous days of the campaign, election and inauguration. A frequent guest at the White House, she witnessed the adjustment of its new mistress to the occupancy of that residence. Together, they took the last trips that Mrs. Roosevelt attempted in a vain effort to preserve her anonymity. Reluctant First Lady gives a fascinating and heart-warming insight into the problems and sacrifices that confront an active private citizen, wife and mother, whose husband becomes President of the United States.