The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope

by Jonathan Alter

book data

239 ratings, 3.73 average rating, 84 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		18%
4		44%
3		29%
2		6%
1		1%

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published

May 8th 2007 (first published 2006) by Simon & Schuster

binding

Paperback, 432 pages

isbn

0743246012 (isbn13: 9780743246019)

description

Jonathan Alter's bestselling and critically acclaimed account of how FDR lifted the country from despair and paralysis and transformed the presidency ...more

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Book Nook Cafe: The Worst Hard Time - - June 2009	109	59	4 days ago, 11:43PM
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01/18/09

Susan rated it:

Read in January, 2009

I admit to reading this one because Obama was reading it and because so many pundits have been citing similarities between the Depression in the 30ies and Roosevelt’s first 100 days of New Deal legislation and the situation currently faced by our new president. I ended up seeing more differences than similarities between the two presidents and between the two situations—which doesn’t mean the book isn’t not only interesting but timely. By the way, I agree with the author that this time a...more I admit to reading this one because Obama was reading it and because so many pundits have been citing similarities between the Depression in the 30ies and Roosevelt’s first 100 days of New Deal legislation and the situation currently faced by our new president. I ended up seeing more differences than similarities between the two presidents and between the two situations—which doesn’t mean the book isn’t not only interesting but timely. By the way, I agree with the author that this time around 100 days won’t do it. And even with Roosevelt, as Alter says, his most significant legislation, Social Security, passed later in his Presidency.

While the book tends to zero in on the 100 days, the author obviously found that, writing to a general audience, he had to give considerable background on Roosevelt—which he does in a series of short chapters which I found fun to read even though I’m fairly well read on Roosevelt the person and the president and have recently read a good complete biography (Edwards, FDR). In most chapters there was an anecdote or fact that I’d not heard before so I couldn’t accuse Alter of just regurgitating what other writers have written.

Alter makes much of the comment by Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes that Roosevelt’s primary asset was not his mind but his “first class temperament”—that the title of the first book I read about Roosevelt (by Geoffrey Ward). However, Alter does honor the suggestion, made by Edwards among others, that it’s not clear whether Justice Holmes was talking about FDR or about Teddy Roosevelt. But temperament is an important issue in the book and timely because so many have noted that one of Obama’s greatest assets is what most call, these days, his “unflappability”. In temperament they may not be all that similar, but for both Obama and Roosevelt, likability is an important part of the appeal and the ability to talk to “the people” (not just the politicians) in a way that clarifies complex issues and involves the listener in solutions is of critical importance.

Alter gives considerable space to Eleanor in this book too: her despair at giving up her privacy to become first lady, her discovery of a new and historically significant role for the first lady, and her function in keeping FDR in touch. Because of his paralysis, the extent of which the American people did not know, Roosevelt was more vulnerable to what we now call the “bubble” the President exists in. In the 30ies Eleanor began traveling the country and the world, going down in coal mines—and eventually into war zones—to talk to “ordinary Americans” and bringing her insights back to the President. From the first, Roosevelt recognized the danger that the President grow “out of touch”, reminding us that Obama’s fight to keep his Blackberry isn’t just his technology fix, but his recognition that Presidents can easily become bubble-dwellers. (less)

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02/05/09

Ryan rated it:

Read in January, 2009

recommends it for: all Americans

I read this when President Obama let it out that he was reading this book right before taking office.

And it is a fantastic book. The author brings alive FDR as if we were living in the 1930s. From his personal history to his strenghts and weaknesses, and I really feel like I got to know President Roosevelt through Alter's writing.

I basked in the background info there is here about The New Deal, and the history and circumstances of Social Security, the Tennessee Valley Au...more

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01/15/09

David rated it:

bookshelves: 2009-a-book-a-week

Read in January, 2009

(2009 At Least A Book A Week) Week 1

So, I am starting off 2009 trying to at least read a book a week. It isn't a lofty goal, but something I could perhaps pull off.

"The Defining Moment" was week 1. I figure it fits right in there with the whole new Presidency thing going on right now. It was an easy read. And quite interesting. For the one thing... did you FDR basically saved democracy? At the time of his inauguration a good majority of newspapers were telling ...more

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06/17/08

Miranda rated it:

(review of isbn 0743246004)

Read in July, 2008

This is an interesting history of FDR that details his pre-presidential life and career and the 100 Days once he was elected (and significant treatment of Eleanor too). Much of the focus is on his style and personality. He is alternately portrayed as a bit of a flip-flopper, to use a modern term, manipulative, a bit less than fully forthright, not necessarily an intellectual yet wide open to new ideas, a natural politician with the right instincts, a leader, and probably a few more. It's no fawn...more

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12/21/08

Victoria rated it:

bookshelves: us-history-09

Read in January, 2009

Although a bit basic in reading level, this book clearly outlines FDR as a man and as a leader. It's an incredibly important read for anyone looking to understand the parallels between 1933 and 2009. Although economists argue whether or not the New Deal actually saved the country's financial despair, it was indeed the psychological value of FDR's first 100 days that saved this country from the Depression.

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10/12/08

Ken Elser rated it:

Read in November, 2008

An interesting look at FDR's rise and his personality, as it pertained to his performance during his first 100 days. Certainly not comprehensive in its scope of policy, but enlightening in terms of the mood of the country in at the start of FDR's term and the ways in which his mere presence and attitude helped lay the groundwork for a recovery from the Depression. Parallels abound with present politics and economics and, although they shouldn't be taken to an illogical extreme, it's interestin...more

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08/29/07

R.Joseph rated it:

bookshelves: vampran

Read in July, 2007

recommends it for: everyone

This book is a very easy read and serves the purpose of reintroducing people to one of our greatest presidents! During FDR’s terms as commander in chief he saved capitalism by introducing a socialism balance! FDR gave us the trickle up economic approach that puts cash in the hands of those who needed it most, which in turn assures the money will flow through the economy and not be stashed away in an offshore money market account. Alter is a great report and did a great job in making a book a...more

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01/26/09

Tony rated it:

bookshelves: history

Read in January, 2009

Alter, Jonathan. THE DEFINING MOMENT: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope. (2006). ****1/2. In spite of the dependent title, only about one-third of this fine book is really devoted to the Hundred Days itself. The first third of the book concerns itself with the early history of FDR and his family, where the author tries to relate his later achievements to moments of formative events during his growing-up days. The second third tells of FDR’s days leading up to his nomination a...more

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01/25/09

Meri rated it:

bookshelves: history, united-states

Read in February, 2009

The title sums this book up pretty well. Alter begins by tracing FDR's background and ends the book after his 100 days, though he does talk about later moments in FDR's presidency when they directly relate to the earlier ones. I found it easy to read and insightful. Alter talks a lot about how moments in FDR's history affected his presidency. The triumph of hope--far more relevant today than Alter could have grasped in 2006--was FDR's big success in the 100 days. Though the "alphabet s...more

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11/20/08

Ivy rated it:

bookshelves: history, kindle

Read in December, 2008

It's hard to review this book, as pretty much everyone is reading it anyway.

The writing style is engaging, clear, and interesting. Part of this is because Mr. Alter chose to use extremely short chapters, some only four or five pages long, to make the book seem to read faster. I'm not sure he succeeds in bringing his subject to life on the page. I know more about the era and about FDR's presidency and policies after reading the book, but not so much more about the man himself. Mr...more It's hard to review this book, as pretty much everyone is reading it anyway.

The writing style is engaging, clear, and interesting. Part of this is because Mr. Alter chose to use extremely short chapters, some only four or five pages long, to make the book seem to read faster. I'm not sure he succeeds in bringing his subject to life on the page. I know more about the era and about FDR's presidency and policies after reading the book, but not so much more about the man himself. Mr. Alter persistently avers that President Roosevelt succeeded more by blind luck and instinct than by intelligence and knowledge. No one has that much luck.

The book spends precious little time on those 100 days, instead describing FDR's career prior to the presidency, with a sharp focus on his campaign and his family life. I would have preferred substantial excerpts from FDR's speeches, such as his Inaugural addresses, and at least a reasonable sample from one fireside chat.

I also would have liked some discussion on what would be typical for a society at this point of disruption. Looking at the long path of history, we see countries thrown into disarray in effectively similar ways, and we can examine how they often turn out. Yes, the particulars are different, but the fear, the desperation, and the cry for strong leadership, are the salient points.

When Oda Nobunaga rose as a stabilizing force in Japan at the end of the Warring States Era, he rallied the same kind of tremendous support FDR had. In Japan, the people fell in line with Nobunaga's plans as he proved he could bring them safety, and an end to the violence raging around them. In America, the people fell in line with FDR's plans as he proved he could bring them jobs, so they could keep their homes, and feed their families. But where Nobunaga ultimately transformed major aspects of Japanese life (the move to isolationism for example), FDR preserved the fundamental nature of America.

There are many other examples, from other nations and other times (Egypt at the end of the First Intermediate Period for one) and by examining them, at least in brief, we can better appreciate the way America moved through this pattern of history. That would have given this work a level of critical analysis that it sadly lacks.

It's that kind of lack that earns this book a lower rating. There is no real insight provided in this book, no perspective brought, neither sociological nor historical. That leaves the book feeling a bit fluffy. (less)

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11/19/08

Ivy rated it:

bookshelves: life_stories, non-fiction, obama

Read in November, 2008

recommended to Ivy by: Barack Obama
recommends it for: Anyone interested in history

During his interview on Sixty-Minutes recently, President-Elect Obama said that he was reading a "new" book on FDR's 100 days. A flury of chatter started up after that...Which "new" book??? An aide later reported that the book in question was Jonathan Alter's 2005 book The Defining Moment.

Well if Barack is reading it, that's good enough for me!

I'm not a big fan of non-fiction so I can't say that I enjoyed reading The Defining Moment. It is very rea...more

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01/01/09

Bernronan Ronan is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading

I wanted to read this book about FDR's first one hundred days, to get a feel for what to expect with Obama's new presidency. Alter is an excellent writer--the book is heavily researched and he includes some surprising primary documents never before published by historians (A rough draft of a speech that FDR gave in his first week as president, where he considered exerting dictatorial powers). The parallels between FDR's first days and today are eerie--but while today's economy is in the ditch, t...more

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12/26/08

Bap rated it:

bookshelves: biography, history, non-fiction, politics

Read in January, 2009

This book couldn't be more timely, focusing on Roosevelt's election and his first one hundred days where he identified fear as the biggest foe and gave Americans hope that the government cared and would act to address the crisis. The similarities are striking. The banking system was on the verge of collapse and Americans had lost confidence that banks could be relied upon. Also, the power of words, of inspiring oratory was used to restore self confidence and a common purpose. Roosevelt's in...more

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02/05/09

Bookmarks Magazine added it (review of isbn 0743246004)

The Chicago Tribune admires Newsweek senior editor Jonathan Alter's "chutzpah" in taking up the well-worn subject of FDR's presidency. Critics claim that Alter supports his major "breakthrough"__that FDR toyed with martial law__with the flimsiest of evidence: an early draft of his inaugural address. Alter is not a historian, as evidenced by some factual errors and elision, but what some critics describe as his sloppy research is overshadowed by a compelling portrait of the b

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01/23/09

Joyce rated it:

Read in January, 2009

I havent read much non-fiction lately, but I really was enthralled by this re-count of recent history. Given our current financial crisis, it is interesting to see how FDR reacted in an even more acute monetary crisis. The banks were closed(many were small banks at that time), teachers were not paid for up to 1 year,etc. FDR threw many things "against the wall" in his first 100 days; it was a combination of intelligence, and just sheer charisma; some things took hold, others did not....more

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04/25/09

Grace rated it:

Read in April, 2009

Jonathan Alter is Newsweek's senior editor and a frequent guest on progressive talk TV and radio. This is a timely look back at Franklin Roosevelt's ascent to the presidency, especially the insider baseball stories about the emergence of his political mindset (one couldn't really call it a philosophy) and evolution through his first 100 days. Insights into his personality, marriage and efforts not to let polio define him were fascinating, but the most interesting parts of this book are about Ele...more

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12/28/08

Sylvia rated it:

Read in January, 2009

This book treats you like you are a third grader. A third grader who believes a Newsweek editor's psychological analysis of FDR and who is easily amused by footnotes comparing presidents with strong mothers.

The majority of this book is not about the Hundred Days. It's mostly about FDR's personality and how that influenced his rise to power. Also, Alter seems to think that FDR deserves a lot of credit for not assuming dictatorial powers, but instead "legally" expanding ex...more

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03/09/09

Jon Molesan rated it:

Great read. Just proves my theory that anyone who says that FDR was a Communist or a Socialist doesn’t know what they're talking about. He did what he had to do to make sure that the US remained a democracy and didn’t follow the path that the rest of the world followed (France - Socialist, Russia - Communist, Spain, Italy, Japan, Germany -Fascist, China - Civil War, etc.) A very inspirational book about a good man who knew right from wrong and that helping others should come before one’s s...more

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12/27/08

Heather rated it:

Read in February, 2009

an unexpected view of this president. fdr is one of my favorites. the hindsight of history tends to gild over peoples imperfections and mistakes so that theyre seen more for the good and appear more perfect than they were. at times i really didnt like him. alot of his personality and decisions do not make him very likable and its surprising to me that he won the election against hoover. despite his unlikeable character at times, fdr was a great president overall and its his character and decisio...more

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02/27/09

Sam rated it:

(review of isbn 0743246004)

bookshelves: 2009-read, best-reads, government-at-work

Read in January, 2009

When will Jonathan Alter write a second book? The Defining Moment is a great non-comprehensive biography of how FDR became the FDR responsible for his historic first hundred days, the measure to which all presidents are now held.

The majority of the book is a narrative of the essential events and encounters in FDR's life prior to his election. Alter spends so much time leading up to the book's main subject because he rightfully believes that FDR's life was crucial to the decisions he...more