Chapter 62

Summary

• In Eleanor's narrative, she begins to consider the superstition that bad events happen in threes.
• The first event was the death of her mother-in-law, Sara, in September at Hyde Park.
• The second event was the death of Eleanor's brother, Hall, from cirrhosis of the liver. Despite his successful career as an electrical engineer, he had long struggled with alcohol.
• The third event was the bombing of Pearl Harbor which caused substantial loss of life and damage. Over two thousand Americans were killed, and 19 ships were either damaged or destroyed.
• Eleanor, as the First Lady and assistant director for volunteer coordination in the Office of Civilian Defense, now has the massive task of coordinating citizen-led protection for the country. She feels and understands the anxiety and fear of the people but urges everyone to rise above their collective fear.
• Eleanor, standing by Franklin’s side, finds herself before an anxious Congress in the Capitol Building. Franklin will address Congress and the nation, officially declaring war, a decision which Eleanor supports.
• Eleanor tries to remain focused on Franklin's speech and not on the perils faced by her children and grandchildren who are already in, or of age to be enlisted for, military service.
• Eleanor understands that the world is about to change drastically, and she prepares herself for the challenges to come.