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In this superlative volume, Jean Edward Smith combines fresh scholarship and a broad range of primary source material to chronicle the epic life of one of America's greatest presidents. This is a portrait painted in broad strokes and fine details. We see how Roosevelt's restless energy, fierce intellect, and effortless grace permitted him to master countless personal and political challenges throughout his life; how his skill as a campaigner, particularly his mastery of the burgeoning mass media, revolutionized the fundamental bond between the American people and their government; and how his vital relationships with women-romantic and otherwise-helped to mold his personality and inform his worldview.
In FDR, Smith gives us a powerful account that adds fresh perspectives and draws profound conclusions about a man whose story is widely known but far less well understood, and the clearest look yet at how a man who never had to depend on a paycheck became the savior of the common man. The result is a stunning biography in every way worthy of its subject.
Independent biographer Smith (1996's John Marshall: Definer of a Nation and 2001's Grant) crafts a magisterial biography of our most important modern president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Scores of books have been written about Roosevelt, exploring every nook and cranny of his experience, so Smith breaks no "news" and offers no previously undisclosed revelations concerning the man from Hyde Park. But the author's eloquent synthesis of FDR's complex and compelling life is remarkably executed and a joy to read. Drawing on the papers of the Franklin Roosevelt Presidential Library as well as Columbia University's oral history collection and other repositories, Smith minutely explores the arc of FDR's intertwined political and private lives. With regard to the political, the biographer seamlessly traces Roosevelt's evolution from gawky, aristocratic, political newcomer nibbling at the edges of the rough-and-tumble Dutchess County, N.Y., Democratic machine to the consummate though physically crippled political insider—a man without pretensions who acquired and performed the jobs of New York governor and then United States president with shrewd, and always joyous, efficiency. As is appropriate, more than half of Smith's narrative deals with FDR as president: the four terms (from 1933 until his death in 1945) during which he waged war, in turn, on the Depression and the Axis powers. As for the private Roosevelt, Smith reveals him as a devoted son; an unhappy husband who eventually settled into an uneasy peace and working partnership with his wife and cousin Eleanor; an emotionally absent father; and a man who for years devotedly loved two women other than his wife—Lucy MercerRutherford and Missy LeHand, the latter his secretary. This erudite but graceful volume illuminates FDR's life for scholars, history buffs and casual readers alike. Photos not seen by PW. (May)
Anonymous
Posted June 3, 2009
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fdr is a very well crafted biography, it has tremendous balance between everything fdr had to juggle during his 12 years in office. there is no doubt that fdr had the most adversety to deal with from the great depression to hitler and the nazis to pearl harbor and wwii, all while dealing with his handicap. after reading this book the legacy of franklin roosevelt will be drilled in your brain forever.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 17, 2009
Overall this book was very well done. It really gave a deep view into FDR's life and the relationships he developed with many of his colleagues, companions, and family members that came and went throughout his life. For example, like Louis Howe, Sara, ER and Lucy just to name a few. The only qualm I had with the book was the ending which I thought a bit abrupt and not as meaningful as it could have been. This particular reader would have liked to see an extra chapter/epilogue or even just a few more pages wrapping up FDR's death and subsequently rehashing the importance of this particular president for these United States. Further reactions from ordinary Americans, and especially ER, to Roosevelt's passing would have been a nice touch as well. In any case, the book was thoroughly entertaining and chalk full of knowledge.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 3, 2008
This is the best biography of perhaps the greatest president of modern time. Jean Edward Smith has given us a classic. How could a man born of wealth, social standing and privilege understand the needs of the poor and ordinary man? Yet FDR did. He quickly saw the devastation of the pre Depression time and the resulting impact of the Depression as it spread. Anyone who lived during that time readily credits FDR with saving them and the nation. From Depresstion to World War II, FDR again rose to the occasion. Although the ultimate politician, he knew the heart of America. This book should be required reading for ALL political candidates and especially those seeking the presidency. They might learn something. God knows they need to!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Just finished reading it. For any history buff, this should be a must read. It delves into great detail about all aspects of his life without getting tedious about it. Very easy to read as it really shows how impactful he was a human being and as a president.
Very timely read for me as I am heading to DC next week for vacation.
Anonymous
Posted January 3, 2011
Although the book (thankfully) does not go into great detail about all of the policies FDR put into place and about the decisions he made during WWII, it does give a great overview of FDR's life and what he did while President.
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Posted February 16, 2009
This book was a really good book. I'm a young history buff and I'm trying to read up on different presidents. This book caught my eye and I picked it up. The balance of the reading was great, it didn't shift between different periods of time in his life. I'm not the greatest when it comes to economics, but I did get a little lost in events like recovering from the Great Depression. I do wish this part of the book was a little bit more easier to read. As the biography progressed, it only got better. For anyone starting to read about the 32nd president, this is the one you want to start with.
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Posted July 16, 2007
I am astonished that this masterful biography has not made it to the best seller list. Mr. Smith should be considered once more for the Pulitzer Prize for writing such a comprehensive, yet readable book about the life of one of our greatest presidents. Mr. Smith gives one a complete picture of the strengths, weaknesses, errors and courage of FDR, his family and his political advisers. The author offers insights into the experiences and mistakes that made Franklin Roosevelt a consummate politician, one dedicated to the welfare of the average citizen. At a time when our democracy is becoming an aristocracy, reading about a man who cared for the citizens with the least, rather than the enrichment of just a few, gives one a perspective into what democracy can and did mean.
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Posted May 19, 2007
Smith lucidly conveys a masterful account of the greatest American President of the last century. Seventy-five years before `values¿ became a political buzzword, and we focused on cultural issues such as abortion, gay rights and gun control, FDR rightly saw values in terms of economic issues that impact people¿s lives. In light of the enormous changes occurring in the U.S. economy, he called for a `reappraisal of values¿ as the foundation for his economic declaration of rights. So now, changes in the global economy call for another reappraisal of values to ensure an updated social contract whereby ¿every man has a right to life and this means that he also has a right to make a comfortable living. He may by sloth or crime decline to exercise that right but it may not be denied him.¿ The passage of time may lay waste to the means of economic activity, but not to the end goals which ensure that people have a comfortable living and economic security. FDR¿s leadership transcends time because the values he represented are eternal. After reading Smith's FDR, I wonder where all the leaders have gone, and if there could be another FDR on the horizon?
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Overview
In this superlative volume, Jean Edward Smith combines fresh scholarship and a broad range of primary source material to chronicle the epic life of one of America's greatest presidents. This is a portrait painted in broad strokes and fine details. We see how Roosevelt's restless energy, fierce intellect, and effortless grace permitted him to master countless personal and political challenges throughout his life; how his skill as a campaigner, particularly his mastery of the burgeoning mass media, revolutionized the fundamental bond between the American people and their government; and how his vital relationships with women-romantic and otherwise-helped ...