What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedNo Ordinary Time
Doris Kearns Goodwin · Book · 2008
If you loved No Ordinary Time, start with The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (Ken Burns, 2014) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to No Ordinary Time across media.
If No Ordinary Time captivated you, it is because you appreciate how history is defined by complex, high-stakes power dynamics.
Films on the same thread
Gone with the Wind
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Explores: Survival, Reconstruction Era, Lost Cause.
Much like the turbulent marriage in No Ordinary Time, this epic explores how personal relationships and shifting power structures mirror the broader instability of a nation at war.
The Best Years of Our Lives
William Wyler · Film · 1946
Explores: Post-traumatic stress, Readjustment to civilian life, Changing social roles.
You enjoyed the domestic focus of No Ordinary Time, and this film provides a similarly intimate look at how the realities of World War II reshape individual lives.
The Lion in Winter
Film · 1968
Explores: Royal Succession, Dysfunctional Family, Political Intrigue.
If the political partnership in No Ordinary Time fascinated you, you will recognize that same blend of public duty and private betrayal within this royal, dysfunctional family drama.
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
The weight of leadership seen in No Ordinary Time finds a parallel here, as this film examines the moral burden of decisions made during the World War II era.
Series on the same thread
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
Ken Burns · Series · 2014
Explores: American Presidency, Family Dynasty, Social Reform.
This documentary expands on the specific figures explored in No Ordinary Time, offering a deeper look at the Roosevelt family dynasty and their lasting impact on American history.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
The analytical depth of No Ordinary Time is mirrored in this podcast, which tackles the same heavy themes of power, crisis, and moral ambiguity on a grand historical scale.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
While No Ordinary Time focuses on the Roosevelt era, this series provides the essential historical context of national identity that shaped the very foundation of the American experience.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What historical period does No Ordinary Time cover?
No Ordinary Time focuses on the era of the Great Depression and the early stages of World War II. It examines how the relationship between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt influenced the United States during these two major historical events.
Is No Ordinary Time a work of fiction?
No, No Ordinary Time is a Pulitzer Prize-winning classic of historical nonfiction. It documents the real-life partnership between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and provides an account of how their marriage shaped the nation during a critical time in American history.
What is the primary focus of No Ordinary Time?
No Ordinary Time centers on the complex relationship between Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. The book details how their personal connection influenced their leadership and steered the country through the immense challenges of the Great Depression and the beginning of World War II.
Who is the author of No Ordinary Time?
No Ordinary Time was written by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Published in 2008, this book is recognized for its extensive collection of details and its ability to weave together multiple story lines regarding the Roosevelts and their impact on the nation.