Rendezvous with Destiny: How Franklin D. Roosevelt and Five Extraordinary Men Took America into the War and into the World

by Michael Fullilove

“A fascinating and well-written account of a little-known chapter that was crucial to the course of World War II and to America’s global leadership.” —Henry A. Kissinger

In the dark days between Hitler’s invasion of Poland in September 1939 and Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt sent five remarkable men—Sumner Welles, William “Wild Bill” Donovan, Harry Hopkins, Averell Harriman, and Wendell Willkie—on dramatic and dangerous missions to Europe. The five envoys’ highly unorthodox missions took them into the middle of the war and exposed them to the leading figures of the age. Taken together, they plot the arc of America’s transformation from a divided and hesitant middle power into a global leader. Drawing on vast archival research, Rendezvous with Destiny is narrative history at its most delightful, stirring, and important.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Politics, American History, Military History, Presidents

480 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2013

About the author

Michael Fullilove is the executive director of the Lowy Institute in Sydney, and a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. A Rhodes scholar and a former prime ministerial adviser, he writes widely on global issues for publications such as The New York Times, Financial Times, The Daily Beast and Foreign Affairs.

Reviews

[David Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Rendezvous With Destiny: How Franklin D. Roosevelt and Five Extraordinary Men Took America Into the War and Into the World by Michael Fullilove. The book concerns the period from the 1930's right up Pearl Harbor and is revolving around 5 men who Franklin Roosevelt used to garner information on the state of Europe prior to the war, the state of Great Britain and their viability during the early days of the war, the early stages of lend lease and the need for protection of the Atlantic for shipping from German U Boats and ultimately the the ability of the Soviet Union to continue to fight against Germany after the invasion.

The principals discussed are Sumner Wells, Bill Donovan, Harry Hopkins, Wendell Willkie and Averell Harriman each of which has a full chapter summary of their role and how they represented Franklin Roosevelt and his use of them to push the United Stated to be a neutral belligerent and get them ready for the upcoming war.

The initial chapter on Sumner Wells I found to be a bit underwhelming and was less the than thrilled with the book, but the it got more engaging with the chapters regarding Bill Donovan, Harry Hopkins, Wendell Willkie and Averell Harriman.

Sumner's role was from February- March 1940 and was getting an feel for the ability to keep German from continuing to extend the war and to attempt to keep Italy and Mussolini out of the war, while determining the state of England.

Bill Donovan went with the mission of was discharges from July-August 1940 and was again getting a feeling of how France and England were going to handle the German threat and eventually led to Bill Donovan heading the OSS, the predecessor to the CIA.

Harry Hopkins was sent to London January-February 1941 and was sent both to gage whether England would be able to hang on and to be Franklin Roosevelt personal enjoy to Winston Churchill, he without committing the U.S. to war sent the message that England would be supported by the United States, which ultimate including Lend Lease and the assisting in extending the area of the Atlantic under U.S. naval protection and ultimately to convoy assistance.

Wendell Willkie immediately after losing the 1940 election was sent to London and Dublin from January-February 1941 to again be a sign of U.S. support and to determine the morale of both England and Ireland both the government and people's feelings towards the war.

Averell Harriman from March-July 1941 was sent by Franklin Roosevelt, Africa and the Middle East and ultimately was heading in England the United State's Lend Lease Program.

the Final 2 chapters return to Roosevelt's right hand man, Harry Hopkins who was sent back to London in July 1941 and then from July-August 1941 to the Soviet Union to determine the Soviet Unions ability to stay in the war against Germany and to show the full support of the United States for the Soviet Union extending ultimately to Lend Lease. Harry Hopkins was one of the few people who Joseph Stalin seemed to have a personal relationship and level of trust. Harry Hopkins also was part of the Placentia Bay meeting of Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Church, where the relationship was personally cemented between Roosevelt and Churchill.

The book end with Pearl Harbor and the United Stated declaring war on Japan, to be followed by Germany and Italy declaring war against the United States.

As I said I found the Sumner Wells chapter to be the slowest and least engaging part of the book but as I progressed, you gain real insight into the use of F.D.R. to use special envoys over State Department and ambassadorial staff to get what he considered truthful insight into Europe and the war and also used these men to convey Roosevelt's support to the war effort.

A solid 4 star book under 400 pages of reading.

[Joshua Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rarely do I give anything full marks, but after careful consideration I've decided the value and insight offered by Fullilove's WWII entry warrant a 5 out of 5. It is rare with a topic as heavily-covered as World War II to find something that provides a great deal of insight into a vital but rather obscure corner of the history. This book does just that by shedding light on the personal envoys that Roosevelt used to build bridges first with Churchill in Britain and then Stalin in the USSR. While the book details missions conducted by five men for Roosevelt, it is clear that Harry Hopkins is the star performer. There is a wealth of new information for even well-informed WWII aficionados in this book - well worth a read.

[Courtney Smith Atkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do you play trivia very much? Are you able to retain interesting facts easily? This is the book for you! I don't play trivia and always like to think I can retain these interesting tidbits but never seem to! This book was too long for me and lost my interest. I couldn't wait to be done. I do feel a splash smarter and can see how those that love FDR (did you know he slept on a cot?) would love this book.

[Neil Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating and detailed look at how FDR got America ready to enter WW2 prior to Pearl Harbor despite the fierce resistance of the majority of Americans and the majority of its political leaders. Easy to read. Remarkably detailed. (What they ate, what they wore, what then smoked and drank, who they slept with, their dogs' names, who flew their planes, etc.) A case study in now big people get big things done, and have fun doing it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every eye in the room in the small Scottish town filled with tears when Harry Hopkins said: 'Whither thou goest, I shall go...' The charming Harry Hopkins was one of the five envoys who President Roosevelt sent to Europe in the lead-up to the Second World War. This enthralling book by the Australian author, Michael Fullilove tells their stories.

There was the endearing Harry Hopkins, who had to be dressed properly by the valet at the prestigious Savoy Hotel, 'wild' Bill Donovan, patrician Sumner Welles, aristocratic Averill Harimman and generous and big-hearted Republican Wendell Wilkie. They all played their different parts, reporting to the President about the state of British and European defences and advocating for Lend-Lease.

My favourite was Harry Hopkins, with his battered Hamburg hat. He managed to charm both Churchill and the terrifying Stalin, and acted as their go-between with the President. Sickly and frail, Hopkins died in his 50s. His nurse was surprised when his family received messages of sympathy from Churchill, Stalin and the U.S. President! I have a sneaking idea that he is also the author's favourite, and I'd love to read more about him. Perhaps Fullilove could write a biography of him now?

Rendezvous with Destiny is thoroughly-researched, but it is also full of moving anecdotes and interesting characters, such as Pamela Harriman. I also liked Fullilove's inclusion of anecdotes about Australians. For example, Harriman said that he had an Australian crew when he was flying back to England from the Middle East '...and they're not afraid of anything!'
Posted by Viola at 6:57 PM No comments:

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the foreign policy of the Roosevelt Administration between the start of WWII in September 1939 and our joining the war in December of 1941. During this time FDR sent various envoys such as Wendell Willkie, Harry Hopkins, and Sumner Wells to Europe to both try to help broker an end to the war and, failing that, to prepare both the Allies and the American people for our joining the war. FDR's men were amazing. The story of Sumner Wells is my favorite. Wells was sent to meet with both Mussolini and Hitler. He came away feeling that peace with the Axis was probably impossible and that the US must be prepared to join in the effort to defeat them. Wells was a man of foresight and vision. Sadly, his career was cut short a few months after his return to America when his homosexuality became known by his political enemies. Like the great British scientist Alan Turing, a great man was lost to the insane bigotry of the era.

On a more light-hearted note, Wells stayed at the Hotel Adlon during his stay in Berlin. Fullilove describes the Adlon as "The grandest hotel in Berlin." My wife and I visited the Adlon when we were in Berlin a few years ago. It was amazing to be in a place so central to the history of the mid 20th century. What was even more amazing was the soup at the hotel restaurant. Seriously. I'm not kidding about that soup.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very concentrated narrative about FDR’s personally chosen envoys to monitor and be his spokesman to Churchill and Stalin before the start of the US entry to WW II.
Sumner Welles, William “Wild Bill” Donovan, Harry Hopkins, Averell Harriman, and Wendell Willkie were the non-official people he trusted.

I would say this was the best book for me that explained how FDR got around Congress and public opinion to assist Britain and Russia. He knew the US had to enter the war, but the isolationists (Congress & the public opinion) were against. FDR and his envoy’s worked the Lend Lease plan as his way to aid Britain.

I was quite impressed with FDR’s initiative as well as everyone’s contributions. This was very informative and had lots of personal details. For some it might be too much, I felt I was right there listening to the conversations.

This takes you up to the Japanese invasion. There is a follow up as to what happens to the chosen 5.
Very surprising to me was how the Hopkins & Roosevelt’s relationship turned out.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Spring 1940. Since the invasion of Poland the previous September, Europe has been at war. FDR knows that for freedom and liberty to survive, The United States will have to join the fight before too long. Restricted by the Neutrality Act of 1937, he is unable to take real action and also cannot pressure Congress to act against Nazi Germany. His solution? Send personal envoys who can assess the situation on the ground and report back to the White House, but don't give them too much authority--or direction. They also work independent of the State Department. Is that the right way to do foreign policy?

In this case, it seemed to work. This book is a narrative of the envoys' travels from March to August 1940. The reporting on their travels has a strong influence on public opinion and prepares the nation for war. After the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, the nation is united in their resolve to defeat the Axis Powers.

The topic is still relevant today. As the State Department has been gutted in recent years, foreign policy is being placed more and more into the hands of inexperienced political appointees, leaders who are only in their position because of significant campaign donations. The challenge is that very few of them are as capable as Harry Hopkins, Wendell Willkie, Sumner Welles, Averell Harriman, and Bill Donovan. With excellent writing, this is akin to a college textbook for World War II enthusiasts.

[Gregory Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book which beautifully illuminates the key roles of a handful of individuals from the United States each of whom, in his role as a "personal representative" of President Roosevelt, helped shape the destiny of Western democracies as Nazi Germany took control of Europe and seemed ready to invade the United Kingdom. One of the many strengths of this book is that it provides a very good picture of the character of these five individuals. Their interactions with Churchill enabled Roosevelt to understand whether the UK would survive, and that Churchill was an extraordinary leader of a people who were determined to fight - but they urgently needed weapons and food. In the case of Harry Hopkins, his meetings with Churchill, and later Stalin as Germany advanced towards Moscow, are compelling and valuable to read. A superb book.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

With plenty of interesting description and detail, this book is fun to read. It could easily be made into a movie.

This book offers an intimate behind the scenes look at an aspect of FDR's leadership style he used to bring an isolationist, anti-communist America to full support of England in Russia in the fight against Hitler. Still, with all of these inside details (and privy conversations) brought to light in this book, it was the ones that weren't included that are perhaps the most illuminating. They paint a picture of a president who knew where he wanted to go, knew how to manipulate public opinion to get there, but may not have communicated his intentions to even some of his closest advisors. It makes one think about not only FDR, but the nature of leadership and public office in general.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that looks at the 1940-41 missions of FDR's "Presidential envoys" Sumner Wells, Harry Hopkins, Wendell Willkie, William Donovan, and Averell Harriman to Europe and Russia, as the US gradually escalated its support for the Allies in the run up to WWII. Interesting and full of good stories, but it would have benefitted from some cutting and less of the author's effort to make all these trios quite so profound.

[Diana Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about waking America to the fight for civilization.

If your looking for both interesting and illuminating insights into the months before December 7, 1941 then this book is a must. The adventures and intrigues are the stuff of a great action story that happens to be real. Politics at the decisive moment in the last hundred years.

[David Ellena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read about how FDR prepared America for World War II. The players and how they were brought on board by Roosevelt was fascinating. Lots of detail. The writing was excellent as well. It was easy to read, not bogged down with unnecessary words. If you enjoy WWII books this is one that should be on your list.

[Bill Clarkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting subject but I would say the best part was the epilogue which hit on the historical ramifications as opposed to the 7 chapters which spent so much time discussing staging and antics and less of the implications to all countries war efforts.

[Caryatid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb book. Well researched, well written, well interwoven.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says int all. Great detail, great story.

[Debra A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Well written. Epilogue is a little weak.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOOD historical book filled with facts and interesting tidbits. Highly recommended

[Grady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Fullilove is an Australian foreign policy thinker and writer. In Rendezvous with Destiny, Fullilove recounts the missions of five prominent Americans sent abroad by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as his personal envoys between February 1940 and September 1941. During that time, FDR worked to ease a mostly isolationist America into a posture of support for Britain (and, to a much lesser extent, in support of the Soviet Union as well, at least in its opposition to Nazi Germany).

The book will be most useful to three audiences: serious students of US diplomacy who are interested in the lessons to be drawn from FDR's use of personal envoys; graduate students in related fields who need a quick take on US diplomacy in the months of Lend-Lease; and more generally, World War II buffs. The last category is probably the largest in absolute number of readers, and they will enjoy Fullilove's skill at sketching personalities, and his tour of romantic narrative moments: Averrell Harriman and Pamela Churchill beginning an affair during a night of heavy bombing in London; FDR and Winston Churchill celebrating the divine service on board the HMS Prince of Wales during the two leaders' first summit together. Readers in the first two categories can save a good bit of time by merely reading the first and last few pages of each chapter, in which Fullilove offers his assessment of the impacts of FDR's personal diplomacy.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very personal, well written history of how FDR got the information he needed to chart his course re WWII and our entry into the war on the side of Great Britain and Russia. It pulls from diaries, letters and personal accounts of this period, focusing on the men FDR used as his personal envoys since he didn't trust the State Department or some of his own ambassadors. He wanted a personal assessment of both Churchill and Stalin and about the commitment of the people of Great Britain and Russia to fight Hitler. He was already pre-disposed to lend US aid but he needed personal assurances that this would be the right use of American industrial and military power.

The book is too long and repetitive in places. But the focus is at eye level rather than bird's eye. Many historical accounts try to cover great swaths of history while this one focuses very narrowly and as a result feels more intimate. He describes the trips these five men made in quite a bit of detail (almost too much) so the real feel of being in wartime London came through clearly. I liked it.

No, it does not deal with the supposed conspiracy on FDR's part to "allow" the raid on Pearl Harbor and in fact seems, with only one small mention, to dismiss this idea entirely. The focus in almost entirely on the Atlantic.

[Peter Bono · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written and a quick read. Author Michael Fullilove describes the five men Franklin Roosevelt appointed as his personal envoys to England, Soviet Russia and pre-war Nazi Germany before the entry of the U.S. into WW2.
A quick bio is also given about each man. Sumner Welles, Bill Donovan, Harry Hopkins, Wendell Willkie and Averell Harriman. The book goes into each man's mission, their observations and reports to the President.
A plus is the thinking of FDR and why he chose each man for their task. Also some of the correspondence between FDR and Churchill ---and Stalin. Special attention is given to a poem FDR sent to Churchill titled
"Ship of State" in 1941 FDR chose it to bolster Churchill during the blitz period. Churchill was so moved he read it in a radio address to the English People. Of all the five envoys most attention is given to Harry Hopkins and rightfully so. I was so impressed with Hopkins that I will research for a good bio just on him.
I recommend this book with 4 stars, I wished it didnt end

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dont usually read books about the diplomatic endevours of other countries and found this one by Michael Fullilove to be really good. It took a little while to read and was really all about the beginnings of the Lend Lease program between Britain and the United States. The people involved were varied and different to each other and FDR was an excellent person to play his games. I had thought he book would span most of the war years, but it did not do so. This was something I found to be of interest especially when this in depth research I had not known before between the two nations. Australia was mentioned on several occasions especially through Robert Menzies who was in Britain on occasion and Stanley Bruce as well floated in and out of the pages.

I would recommend the book to anyone. They may like to know more information on Winston Churchill, Sumner Welles, Bill Donovan, Harry Hopkins, Averell Harriman, Wendell Willkie and of course Franklin D Roosevelt or FDR for short.

[charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounding and original work of history. This book chronicles the United States ramp up to ww2 by tracing the endeavors of a series of FDR's envoys whom he sent to Europe between the nazi invasion of Poland and Pearl Harbor to gather as much information as possible before leading a very reluctant nation back into war. Much of the stories in here have never been told, culled from personal papers of the envoys locked up in archives and attics.

The biggest hero (and I don't use that word lightly) in this telling of the story is by far Harry Hopkins, a man on borrowed time, dying of stomach cancer, who taxed his body to unfathomable lengths for these two years traveling back and forth from Russia (to evaluate Stalin) to England (to gauge the strength of Churchill) to DC to pour the glue that eventually formed the Union of the Allies. His exploits alone make this book a riveting ... and unique... read.

[Ian Beardsell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the author carefully distilled the reams of information that must exist on these five extraordinary presidential envoys to create a compact, easy-to-read history of the two years President Roosevelt inched the US into WWII. I became curious about Harry Hopkins and Averell Harriman after reading Churchill's WWII volumes, and this was a perfect supplementary introduction to those two men, along with Sumner Welles, Bill Donovan, and Wendell Wilkie, all of whom Roosevelt sent sniffing out the situation in the early days of the war when Britain, and eventually the Soviet Union, stood alone while the United States wavered.

The book is tightly focused on the years 1940-41 and the creation and early implementation of Lend-Lease, so readers looking for a more extensive WWII history may be disappointed, but they can find many other suitable volumes to fill out their knowledge on the whole, complex picture.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

How nations are brought into war vary from war to war and country to country. This work provides interesting details into how FDR prepared the country for entry into WW II on the side of the Allies. Knowing he faced isolationist and non-interventionists in both parties FDR used special envoys to ascertain the morale and capabilities of the Allies and the assistance they needed. This book covers the five special envoys and their missions. Each had his foibles and special capabilities all of which coalesced to assist FDR in aiding the Allies before US official entry into the war and in preparing the country for war. Anyone with an interest in war and its precursors will find this book a welcome addition to their bookshelves.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book for free in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This book was pretty good considering I don't like to read history books mainly for the fact that history isn't as interesting as other genres that I indulge in. Rendezvous With Destiny is set around World War II and depicts in great detail of the events that occurred back in that time. It's an okay book to read if you happen to find a copy in your hands. Give it a try.
I hope you enjoy my review and the book Rendezvous With Destiny by Michael Fullilove!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wasn't aware of this aspect of the early part of the war at all; however, reading this book makes you ask how it could have been done otherwise. Some things that come through especially clearly are Churchill's ebullience, the clarity with which the envoys completed their missions and FDR's guile in using them to achieve his ultimate aim of swaying public opinion toward the war. This book is very well done.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account of how FDR picked 5 men (Sumner Welles, Bill Donovan, Harry Hopkins, Wendell Willkie & Averell Harriman) to help him deal with our allies before our official entry into WW2 & to help him persuade the American public into accepting our role in helping them (Great Britain & Russia) & entering the war itself. Lots of notes & a comprehensive bibliography are included. I thought this book was well-written, interesting & informative.

[Lockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of special events that helped shape the final entry of the US into the war. Always more concerned with the defeat of German and helping England - FDR used emissaries in lieu of personal visits in part due to his infirmities. Well written, researched and easy to read, I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to the history of WW2. Not much new ground covered, but familiar events put into new perspective.

[Robert Melnyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about events leading up to America's entry into WWII, and the involvement of 5 men who assisted FDR during this time. The book delved into the relationships/interactions between these men, FDR, Churchill, and Stalin during the late 1930s and early 1940s, and how they impacted and determined America's foreign policy, and our eventual entry in WWII.