Book of Common Sense Etiquette.
Eleanor Roosevelt’s Copy
Roosevelt, Eleanor. Book of Common Sense Etiquette. New York: The Macmillan Company, (1962).
8vo.; lightly soiled and internally foxed; red cloth, stamped in gilt; dust-jacket;.
First edition of Roosevelt’s last book, in which she fuses the personal and political, a testament to her faith that grand ideals such as democracy, justice, and international good will can be achieved through careful adherence to the simple precepts of courtesy and consideration in our dealings with others. Beginning with the premise that “[t]he basis of all good human behavior is kindness,” she covers everything from following the rules of the road (“Keep to the right!”), to addressing heads of state, and even how to handle an alcoholic relative (she had all too much personal experience in that regard). The book is suffused with Mrs. Roosevelt’s unalterable belief that every person in the world is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter what his or her status or station. She wanted her readers to carry that sensibility with them wherever they went, whether at home or abroad. “No matter where you go or how you go there you cannot escape your role as an ambassador for democracy, the political and spiritual philosophy of your country.”
Provenance: Eleanor’s own copy, by descent to her son John, thence to his wife Irene Roosevelt Aitken, from whom it was acquired.
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