FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

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Overview

In 1921, Franklin Delano Roosevelt—the 1920 vice presidential candidate on the losing Democratic ticket—was overcome by an illness that left him unable to walk. He retired to his family estate in Hyde Park with his wife, Eleanor, who was suffering emotional problems of her own. For the Roosevelts, it was the low point of their lives. At that juncture, Roosevelt’s advisor, Louis Howe, moved in with them, leaving his own family behind. Howe set to work to lift Roosevelt’s spirits and maintain his connection to the world of politics. At the same time, he encouraged Eleanor to develop the self-esteem that would allow her to realize her full potential. Three years later, against all expectations, FDR was once again a key player on the national political stage and Eleanor had blossomed into the public figure we all know and love.

With her signature insight and wit, Julie Fenster presents a vivid, behind-the-scenes portrait of the world of the Roosevelts during this critical time, and the unique relationship Franklin, Eleanor, and Louis developed. Ultimately, Fenster shows that Louis Howe was the true mastermind behind Franklin Roosevelt’s resurgence, helping him to overcome terrible odds and fulfill his great destiny.

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

To perform well in office, U.S. Presidents require right-hand assistants—great Presidents seem to attract the best. Franklin D. Roosevelt found his first political help—years before running for the presidency—in Louis Howe (1871–1936), or rather Louis Howe found him—it evolved into a mutually beneficial relationship. FDR needed Howe, and Howe needed FDR to fulfill himself. Fenster (The Case of Abraham Lincoln) tackles this man who became a crucial aid to both FDR and Eleanor. Until now Howe has had a reputation as a crusty newspaperman who preserved FDR's political viability after FDR contracted polio in 1921. That story is generally known, but Fenster expands it into the first full portrait of Howe as a newspaperman, family man, and presidential assistant. It's a sympathetic and gripping account of a man who possessed a playful nature and was devoted to his wife and children, but who was also willing to relegate family life to the part-time category and actually move to the White House during FDR's first term. Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. VERDICT This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents.—William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport

Kirkus Reviews

The portrait of a once-famous, now nearly forgotten figure in 20th-century American politics. Louis Howe (1871-1936) met Franklin Roosevelt in 1911, when Howe was a newspaper reporter and FDR a freshly minted New York state senator. They became fast friends, and Howe proved to be a pivotal figure in Roosevelt's life and career. Early on he saw FDR's enormous potential as a leader, and Roosevelt valued his frank and clear-eyed advice. American Heritage contributor Fenster (The Spirit of Invention: The Story of the Thinkers, Creators, and Dreamers Who Formed Our Nation, 2009, etc.) shows how the friendship grew in importance to both men as the years progressed, especially when FDR hit his lowest point in the 1920s. Roosevelt ran as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in 1920 and lost; the next year, a mysterious illness (later diagnosed as polio) rendered him paralyzed from the waist down. While many considered this a career-ender, including FDR's mother, Howe refused to give up. He devoted himself to keeping Roosevelt's political hopes alive by meeting with potential supporters, writing editorials and attending countless meetings and conventions on FDR's behalf as he recovered over the next two years. Howe's devotion, Fenster effectively argues, lessened the burden on Roosevelt and helped give him the will to recover and eventually ascend to the presidency. Eleanor, too, grew close to Howe, and he gave her early advice on speechmaking and handling the press that proved invaluable; she later gained a reputation as a confident and dynamic public speaker. Plagued by lifelong poor health, Howe died of respiratory illness in 1936 during FDR's first term. Never a man given to expressing hisemotions, the president was visibly moved at Howe's funeral, letting out a gasp and struggling to keep his composure as the casket was lowered into the ground. An insightful look at a complex relationship that has been largely lost to history. Author tour to New York and Washington, D.C. Agent: Joelle Delbourgo/Joelle Delbourgo Associates

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780230609105
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date: 10/13/2009
Pages: 256
Product dimensions: 6.20 (w) x 9.40 (h) x 1.10 (d)

Meet the Author

Julie Fenster

Julie M. Fenster is the critically acclaimed author of The Case of Abraham Lincoln and co-author with Douglas Brinkley of the New York Times bestseller Parish Priest and the PBS documentary Faith and the Founders of America. Fenster’s previous books include the award-winning Ether Day and Race of the Century. She lives in Central New York.

Prologue 9

Ch. 1 The Air in Saratoga 17

Ch. 2 Upstaters 35

Ch. 3 He Dances on Hilltops 51

Ch. 4 Anything but Tammany 67

Ch. 5 Battle on the Hudson 83

Ch. 6 Navy Men 97

Ch. 7 The Edge of Decision 113

Ch. 8 A Couple of Three 133

Ch. 9 Eleanor and Louis 145

Ch. 10 Mr. 'owe at Hyde Park 159

Ch. 11 Anybody but Hearst 169

Ch. 12 Minor Triumphs of a Major Type 183

Ch. 13 The Smith Era 197

Ch. 14 The White House 211

Acknowledgments 225

Endnotes 227

Index 243

Eight pages of photographs appear between pages 132 and 133

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FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

Overview

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More About This Book

Overview

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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

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Meet the Author

Julie Fenster

Table of Contents

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