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Fireside Chats
Reproduction of the original: The Fireside Chats by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Paperback
First published September 1, 1995
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About the author
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
413 books136 followersFranklin Delano Roosevelt, often referred to by his initials FDR, was the thirty-second President of the United States. Elected to four terms in office, he served from 1933 to 1945, and is the only U.S. president to have served more than two terms of office. He was a central figure of the 20th century during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Roosevelt created the New Deal to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform of the economic and banking systems. Although recovery of the economy was incomplete until almost 1940, many programs initiated continue to have instrumental roles in the nation's commerce, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). One of his most important legacies is the Social Security system.
Roosevelt won four presidential elections in a row, causing a realignment political scientists call the Fifth Party System. His aggressive use of the federal government re-energized the Democratic Party, creating a New Deal Coalition which dominated American politics until the late 1960s. He and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, remain touchstones for modern American liberalism. Conservatives vehemently fought back, but Roosevelt usually prevailed until he tried to pack the Supreme Court in 1937. Thereafter, the new Conservative coalition successfully ended New Deal expansion; during the war it closed most relief programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps, arguing unemployment had disappeared.
After 1938, Roosevelt championed re-armament and led the nation away from isolationism as the world headed into World War II. He provided extensive support to Winston Churchill and the British war effort before the attack on Pearl Harbor pulled the U.S. into the fighting. During the war, Roosevelt, working closely with his aide Harry Hopkins, provided decisive leadership against Nazi Germany and made the United States the principal arms supplier and financier of the Allies who later, alongside the United States, defeated Germany, Italy and Japan. Roosevelt led the United States as it became the Arsenal of Democracy, putting sixteen million American men into uniform.
On the homefront his term saw the vast expansion of industry, the achievement of full employment, restoration of prosperity and new opportunities opened for African-Americans and women. With his term came new taxes that affected all income groups, price controls and rationing, and relocation camps for 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans as well as thousands of Italian and German-Americans. As the Allies neared victory, Roosevelt played a critical role in shaping the post-war world, particularly through the Yalta Conference and the creation of the United Nations. Roosevelt's administration redefined American liberalism and realigned the Democratic Party based on his New Deal coalition of labor unions; farmers; ethnic, religious and racial minorities; intellectuals; the South; big city machines; and the poor and workers on relief.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Roosevelt created the New Deal to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform of the economic and banking systems. Although recovery of the economy was incomplete until almost 1940, many programs initiated continue to have instrumental roles in the nation's commerce, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). One of his most important legacies is the Social Security system.
Roosevelt won four presidential elections in a row, causing a realignment political scientists call the Fifth Party System. His aggressive use of the federal government re-energized the Democratic Party, creating a New Deal Coalition which dominated American politics until the late 1960s. He and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, remain touchstones for modern American liberalism. Conservatives vehemently fought back, but Roosevelt usually prevailed until he tried to pack the Supreme Court in 1937. Thereafter, the new Conservative coalition successfully ended New Deal expansion; during the war it closed most relief programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps, arguing unemployment had disappeared.
After 1938, Roosevelt championed re-armament and led the nation away from isolationism as the world headed into World War II. He provided extensive support to Winston Churchill and the British war effort before the attack on Pearl Harbor pulled the U.S. into the fighting. During the war, Roosevelt, working closely with his aide Harry Hopkins, provided decisive leadership against Nazi Germany and made the United States the principal arms supplier and financier of the Allies who later, alongside the United States, defeated Germany, Italy and Japan. Roosevelt led the United States as it became the Arsenal of Democracy, putting sixteen million American men into uniform.
On the homefront his term saw the vast expansion of industry, the achievement of full employment, restoration of prosperity and new opportunities opened for African-Americans and women. With his term came new taxes that affected all income groups, price controls and rationing, and relocation camps for 120,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans as well as thousands of Italian and German-Americans. As the Allies neared victory, Roosevelt played a critical role in shaping the post-war world, particularly through the Yalta Conference and the creation of the United Nations. Roosevelt's administration redefined American liberalism and realigned the Democratic Party based on his New Deal coalition of labor unions; farmers; ethnic, religious and racial minorities; intellectuals; the South; big city machines; and the poor and workers on relief.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 4, 2021
Having been born just after the "Great War," World War II, and being interested in history. especially not someone's opinions and views of history, but the actual words, I did thouroughly enjoy this book. Penguin published the paperback I read in 1995.
It covers FDR's "Fireside Chats" from the time of the Depression through Pearl Harbor, to 1944, just before the war ended. I often wonder how things would have turned out had FDR lived just one year longer.
It was interesting to see how many opposed us getting into the war (which began in 1939). It was also heartening to see how America pulled together and did whatever was necessary to support our troops and the war effort. I shudder to think what would have happened had we not joined the Allies in 1941.
I am definitely not a hawk, but WWII stories put me in awe of our soldiers and sailors and their commitment. As one WWII veteran said to me, "Hitler was a nutcase."
It covers FDR's "Fireside Chats" from the time of the Depression through Pearl Harbor, to 1944, just before the war ended. I often wonder how things would have turned out had FDR lived just one year longer.
It was interesting to see how many opposed us getting into the war (which began in 1939). It was also heartening to see how America pulled together and did whatever was necessary to support our troops and the war effort. I shudder to think what would have happened had we not joined the Allies in 1941.
I am definitely not a hawk, but WWII stories put me in awe of our soldiers and sailors and their commitment. As one WWII veteran said to me, "Hitler was a nutcase."
December 21, 2019
How far the American Democratic Party has plummeted ...
I guess the United States has always been plagued with rampant partisanship on both sides - it's the ugly underside to any democratic nation. But it seems to me there was still such better balance on the political spectrum between right and left. Take Roosevelt, for instance. Sure, the Republicans naturally hated him. The screams of "communist!" would have been no less overused than "fascist!" is today. But while I am a conservative and would, were I American, vote wholeheartedly red today, I think "FDR" was clearly a great leader, a sensible of integrity and wisdom. Furthermore, his respect and sympathy for the people clearly shows that he, like his English counterpart Churchill, meant to do what he knew was best for his country - irrespective of any tribal loyalties that so plague the political culture today. The guy had to deal with both the Great Depression - which, arguably, he handled astutely with the New Deal - and another world war; one the Americans were, till stung in the ass by the Japanese, so reluctant to enter into. And with politics, with its processes and complexities, probably goes above many peoples' head (mine included), Roosevelt took what I think was an admirable approach to sitting down by his recorder and talking to the country, explaining where they were at, elaborating and making accessible his decisions and policies. An iconic communication between a leader and his people, substantially more stylish - God love him - than Trump's rabid Twitter updates.
Roosevelt was the leader the country needed, and it's nice to be reminded that, regardless of political affiliation, a good president is a good president and they should be respected as such. This book, to bring it back, is simply a compilation of his radio addresses. It offers an intimate insight into Roosevelt's thoughts during the 30s and 40s.
I guess the United States has always been plagued with rampant partisanship on both sides - it's the ugly underside to any democratic nation. But it seems to me there was still such better balance on the political spectrum between right and left. Take Roosevelt, for instance. Sure, the Republicans naturally hated him. The screams of "communist!" would have been no less overused than "fascist!" is today. But while I am a conservative and would, were I American, vote wholeheartedly red today, I think "FDR" was clearly a great leader, a sensible of integrity and wisdom. Furthermore, his respect and sympathy for the people clearly shows that he, like his English counterpart Churchill, meant to do what he knew was best for his country - irrespective of any tribal loyalties that so plague the political culture today. The guy had to deal with both the Great Depression - which, arguably, he handled astutely with the New Deal - and another world war; one the Americans were, till stung in the ass by the Japanese, so reluctant to enter into. And with politics, with its processes and complexities, probably goes above many peoples' head (mine included), Roosevelt took what I think was an admirable approach to sitting down by his recorder and talking to the country, explaining where they were at, elaborating and making accessible his decisions and policies. An iconic communication between a leader and his people, substantially more stylish - God love him - than Trump's rabid Twitter updates.
Roosevelt was the leader the country needed, and it's nice to be reminded that, regardless of political affiliation, a good president is a good president and they should be respected as such. This book, to bring it back, is simply a compilation of his radio addresses. It offers an intimate insight into Roosevelt's thoughts during the 30s and 40s.
April 18, 2015
Oh WOW!! This man knew EXACTLY how to run a country!! The stuff he spoke about in these chats is just as relevant today as it was 60 years ago. Every leader of every nation should read this and take extensive notes. There would be a lot less strife and problems in the world if the leaders of today followed FDR's example
March 19, 2019
Listened to this via Audible in the original recordings by FDR. That alone is reason enough to listen. Of the 30 fireside chats, most are good, if not a bit repetitive.
November 22, 2024
Radio is cool
July 18, 2017
I loved this book. So interesting to contrast how FDR spoke to the American people intelligently- addressing many complex economic and social issues- without the sound bites and the dumbing down that we see now. No wonder he was elected for four terms. The people loved and respected FDR. I think a lot of that love and respect sprang from these fireside chats. He spoke to them respectfully, as if they were there in the room with him. He had faith in their ability to understand complex issues. He admitted when he was trying something new that could fail. He admitted when his plans did fail. He brought the people along with him on the journey to essentially save our democracy. He was, in my opinion, the 20th century's greatest president.
September 24, 2019
This book of only 89 pages includes 8 of President Franklin Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats" during the Great Depression and World War II. His intelligent approach to dealing with these difficult and dangerous times, and his ability to communicate and empathize with all Americans are so evident in these chats. What a remarkable leader! These chats should be required reading for our current president and members of Congress.
March 20, 2022
【2022Book03】The Fireside Chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I admire and always want to know more about FDR. His New Deal and his leadership during the Second World War saved the USA from desperation, which can be described by a Chinese idiom roughly meaning “saving the situation from the raging waves”. His Fireside Chats are a special angle through which we can have a glance at that piece of history.
August 10, 2022
I found these transcripts a fascinating glimpse into the history of events that took place over eleven years. The difficulties faced by the Great Depression, the swiftness of government action, entrance into World War 2, and actions taken to reassure the people during the war. This is primarily useful for scholars, I suspect, but the information is given a depth of context within the transcription. There is political contrasts and some of the historical solutions are discussed in detail.
December 9, 2019
This is a quick read at only ~90 pages, and it shows the superb communication and rhetoric displayed by FDR. It’s really interesting to hear his perspective on the role of the media, the American people, and the state and federal governments especially in contrast to the current public discourse surrounding these entities, particularly from the White House.
July 21, 2019
I loved being able to read the fireside chats of this President. I great historical collection
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July 2, 2022《炉边谈话》（美）富兰克林·罗斯福。
May 7, 2025
quel prof de droit m'avait dit de lire ça déjà ? en plus d'être en burn out à cause des cours, on me détruit le pauvre temps de "divertissement" que j'ai????
February 5, 2013
The Fireside Chats are an excellent view into the political atmosphere of Great Depression and World War II era United States. One gets a feel for Franklin Delano Roosevelt's progressive and liberal points of view, which is always a positive: FDR himself often presented sound ideas, strongly leaning towards social democracy, seeming to be the most pronounced left-wing President in United States history.
In the 21st century, the century where progressive social policies and conservative economic policies go hand in hand, it's strange to look back in time towards a United States that was progressive in every meaningful sense, for the time.
While all the material was transcribed from radio events, the text holds up extraordinarily well, given the period. Roosevelt speaks to the reader clearly and eloquently, in a way that is easy to understand. I, myself, am thankful Mr. Roosevelt gave these talks, even given the occasional heavy-handed propaganda leading into and during the War.
In the 21st century, the century where progressive social policies and conservative economic policies go hand in hand, it's strange to look back in time towards a United States that was progressive in every meaningful sense, for the time.
While all the material was transcribed from radio events, the text holds up extraordinarily well, given the period. Roosevelt speaks to the reader clearly and eloquently, in a way that is easy to understand. I, myself, am thankful Mr. Roosevelt gave these talks, even given the occasional heavy-handed propaganda leading into and during the War.
March 11, 2009
This short book of selections from FDR's Fireside Chats is really readable and very interesting. It was especially interesting reading what FDR said to the people about the Great Depression at the time, and comparing it to what the politicians have been saying about today's recession. Also comparing WWII with Iraq/Afghanistna was interesting. This book is easy to read & short, so really, if your American you really have no excuse not to have read this stuff.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews