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FDR

Jean Edward Smith

3.96 · Rating details · 12,142 ratings · 387 reviews

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A model presidential biography... Now, at last, we have a biography that is right for the man - Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World

One of today's premier biographers has written a modern, comprehensive, indeed ultimate book on the epic life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In this superlative volume, Jean Edward Smith combines contemporary NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A model presidential biography... Now, at last, we have a biography that is right for the man - Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World

One of today's premier biographers has written a modern, comprehensive, indeed ultimate book on the epic life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In this superlative volume, Jean Edward Smith combines contemporary scholarship and a broad range of primary source material to provide an engrossing narrative 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, personal magnetism, and ability to project effortless grace permitted him to master countless challenges throughout his life. Smith recounts FDR's battles with polio and physical disability, and how these experiences helped forge the resolve that FDR used to surmount the economic turmoil of the Great Depression and the wartime threat of totalitarianism. Here also is FDR's private life depicted with unprecedented candor and nuance, with close attention paid to the four women who molded his personality and helped to inform his worldview: His mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt, formidable yet ever supportive and tender; his wife, Eleanor, whose counsel and affection were instrumental to FDR's public and individual achievements; Lucy Mercer, the great romantic love of FDR's life; and Missy LeHand, FDR's longtime secretary, companion, and confidante, whose adoration of her boss was practically limitless.

Smith also tackles head-on and in-depth the numerous failures and miscues of Roosevelt' s public career, including his disastrous attempt to reconstruct the Judiciary; the shameful internment of Japanese-Americans; and Roosevelt's occasionally self-defeating Executive overreach. Additionally, Smith offers a sensitive and balanced assessment of Roosevelt's response to the Holocaust, noting its breakthroughs and shortcomings.

Summing up Roosevelt's legacy, Jean Smith declares that FDR, more than any other individual, changed the relationship between the American people and their government. It was Roosevelt who revolutionized the art of campaigning and used the burgeoning mass media to garner public support and allay fears. But more important, Smith gives us the clearest picture yet of how this quintessential Knickerbocker aristocrat, a man who never had to depend on a paycheck, became the common man's president. The result is a powerful account that adds fresh perspectives and draws profound conclusions about a man whose story is widely known but far less well understood. Written for the general reader and scholars alike, FDR is a stunning biography in every way worthy of its subject. ...more

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Paperback, 858 pages

Published May 13th 2008 by Random House Trade (first published May 15th 2007)

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May 28, 2019 Peter Beck rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: presidents

Seeking Solace from the Sakura and "FDR"

I am typing this with one hand as our cat Muffin is sleeping in my lap. On Sundays I bike to the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., home to hundreds of Korean-Japanese cherry trees and several memorials. I usually loop by the Jefferson Memorial and then head on to Hains Point, where there are hundreds more cherry trees, but this time I headed straight for the FDR Memorial to find solace in these gut-wrenching times.

"Masterful" and "even-handed" are the first ...more

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Dec 01, 2015 Matt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) has been called one of the three most important US presidents of all time, by historians and political figures alike. Known best for his New Deal to help America and acting as one of the three Allies political leaders during the Second World War, Roosevelt's legacy is thoroughly documented in the history books. But there is more to this man, as Jean Edward Smith argues in this lengthy biography. The leader behind these great acts helped shape America in ways known to Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) has been called one of the three most important US presidents of all time, by historians and political figures alike. Known best for his New Deal to help America and acting as one of the three Allies political leaders during the Second World War, Roosevelt's legacy is thoroughly documented in the history books. But there is more to this man, as Jean Edward Smith argues in this lengthy biography. The leader behind these great acts helped shape America in ways known to fewer people, doing so with all the vigour he could muster. As Smith recounts throughout, FDR tried to better America in the only way he knew how, by forging ahead and changing some of its current practices. FDR sought to protect the common American, even if his upbringing did not mirror that of the large portion of the electorate. The man who feared little, pulled America out of its doldrums, and faced enemies on all fronts, FDR ought not be left remembered in the history books solely as the man of the Sunday night radio broadcast or he who was confined to a wheelchair. Smith takes up this challenge and delivers a stellar piece of biographical writing that is a must-read for the curious reader who thirsts for knowledge.

Smith reserves the early portion of this biography to show the reader some of the foundational aspect of the man's upbringing. That FDR was a silver-spoon socialite is by no means a shock to the reader who attentively sifts through these chapters. Born into a family of some wealth, FDR was the only child his parents had, permitting him to be doted upon like few others. Smith discusses in passing that FDR constantly lived under the shadow of his ever-popular relative Theodore, whose ascendancy in New York politics had yet to reach its climax in the late 19th century. After wading through life at Harvard and Columbia, FDR complained about not wanting to work for a living, which was supported by his mother and the significant monies amassed in the Roosevelt accounts. It was only when FDR began making a name for himself in the New York Democratic Party that he caught the eye of Woodrow Wilson, whose 1912 presidential victory paved the way for young FDR to make his first solid connection to the common American. His selection as Assistant Secretary of the Navy allowed him not only to oversee fleet production, but to liaise with the workers and those serving in the Navy, giving him a much needed dose of the plight the commoner faces on a regular basis. Smith recounts numerous anecdotes about this and how FDR did not isolate himself from others, as he tried to better understand the world around him. Smith accentuates the fallibility of FDR in a poignant event that led to the man's diagnosis of infantile paralysis (polio), which would strike him down and force him to use braces, crutches, and a wheelchair for the rest of his life. This sobering experience could, as Smith hints at, have knocked the effervescent FDR down a rung or two, leaving him to suffer through a hardship he could not have predicted or auctioned away. These moments shaped the earlier years of FDR's life, preparing him for some of the most exciting and harrowing years that lay ahead.

Smith utilises the central portion of the biography to focus on FDR's political ambitions and how he successfully ensconced himself into the Democratic machine, having tasted some power while a senior bureaucrat. After the political bug bit him, FDR sought to transform running for elected office. Use of his wealth pushed the limit of how to reach the people and make a name for himself; driving in cars at a time when they were still luxurious or flying to Democratic Conventions to receive the nomination. Pretentious, perhaps, but Smith argues that this pushed FDR into the limelight and allowed the common American to see him and react. Success in a short-lived New York gubernatorial position (his ascendency echoes that of Woodrow Wilson), FDR tossed his hat into the ring for President of the United States and endured a battle to the end, which Smith illustrates brilliantly. After gaining the keys to the White House, FDR began dismantling the 'woe is me' mentality that the Depression had put upon America and dished out some much-needed legislative medicine. From a reorganisation of the banks to social programs supporting those who needed it most, FDR fought a Congress whose ideals were still firmly rooted in a laissez-faire mentality and proved that safety nets to protect the most vulnerable would better America, rather than make it a more socialistic beast. Surely, the Depression years were more about being ill-prepared than pushing a stronger class divide amongst its citizens, as Smith argues and FDR posited in his speeches around New Deal legislation. That FDR could inject hope into a crumbling economy in the first 100 days after assuming office is something that stands out and deserves much notice. Smith forges on in the narrative to look at other areas of the American system that FDR felt needed his intervention. The attempt to pack the US Supreme Court, which failed abysmally, proved that FDR was not always in the right and that his ideas could be driven by his own desires. Smith details the congressional struggles and clashes, which brings the events to life and allows the reader a better understanding of this controversial time in FDR's presidency.

FDR made a difference on the domestic front, but he came into his own internationally when unrest on the world scene in the form of build-up by the Nazis in Europe and Japanese imperialism pushed the the world back into military conflict. Smith uses the final chapters of the biography to illustrate FDR's role on the international scene and illustrates some of his hardest decisions of all. Smith posits that FDR was too busy with domestic events to pay much attention to the Nazi chess playing in Europe before the 1939 Polish invasion, though he was not completely oblivious. Once European states began falling like dominoes, FDR faced increased pressure to enter the war and back American allies. Much like Wilson, FDR tried to stay out of the fray, though the latter president used antics to fund and arm the British rather than decry the need for outright diplomacy. Smith spins detailed narratives about the fall of Europe and the fight that FDR had with himself, Congress, and the GOP during the 1940 General Election, all of which pushed America closer to the precipice of war. When Japan did take major aggressive action, Smith argues persuasively that FDR knew of the military build-up in the region and that Japan had been playing the thorn in the side of many of those within the region. Repeated diplomatic attempts failed, to the point that America refused to continue passive actions. Sanctions and financial punishments only sought to goad Japan into pushing things to the brink of war. While Pearl Harbour was not known as the location of an attack, there was little doubt that Japan would take some form of retribution. The 'infamy' commentary that has covered history books for over six decades seems diluted after reading Smith's narrative on the subject. With this attack, FDR pushed America into the war, using the Pacific Theatre to open their attack. Once the Axis Powers sought to formally declare war on America, FDR sent help to Europe and the bloodbath began. Smith uses much of the latter portion of the book to paint the horrors and muscle-flexing of America on two fronts in order to restore order. This is understandable, as FDR would not survive the end of the war. Still, the narrative and last-ditch efforts during the 1944 presidential campaign show that Roosevelt was invested in an Allied victory, so much so that he left America to run itself on the domestic front. As his health deteriorated, FDR soon slid backwards until his death early in 1945, with Allied victory imminent and Japan soon to play the role of nuclear whipping boy. Stunning description to the very last paragraph!

There is much more to this biography than is listed above, which is indicative that Smith did such a thorough job that any reader will have to sit down and enjoy the text to learn everything. Discussions surrounding the strained marriage between FDR and Eleanor highlight some of the early chapters, including the negotiation they made to act as a united front when needed and live in independent spheres otherwise. Smith is also masterful in his discussion of the dirty fights for nomination at Democratic National Conventions of '32 and '36, where the Democratic Party almost imploded as it sought to resolve the North and South with their divisive beliefs. Of greatest interest to me, was some of the back story leading up to the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbour, where Smith lays out the argument that the road to Japanese aggression was anything but shocking. That said, Smith is able to condense the life of a man who broke barriers of presidential longevity and yet still provide a captivating biography. Any reader who invests the needed time will surely appreciate that fact.

This is the first of at least a few presidential biographies that I will undertake with Jean Edward Smith at the helm. This has helped solidify my belief that I am in for a wonderful treat in the coming months. Rich in detail and poignant in choice of anecdotes to include, Smith is a masterful storyteller and presents his opinions with the greatest of foundational argument.

Kudos, Mr. Smith, for you not only took us to Washington, but through the tumultuous life of a man who changed the world and America for the better, while not subjugating his detractors.

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http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/ ...more

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Apr 25, 2021 Dan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: francis-parkman-prize, roosevelts

FDR avoided further friction simply by refusing to recognize that a problem existed. That was a trait he would hone to an art form in public life. “If something was unpleasant and he didn’t want to know about it, he just ignored it and never talked about it,” said Eleanor. “I think he always thought that if you ignored a thing long enough it would settle itself.

This is the 7th biography that I’ve read on FDR and it is the best one.

Why this obsession about FDR you might ask? It’s simply that ther ...more

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May 21, 2008 Krenzel rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history

"FDR," by Jean Edward Smith (also author of the highly acclaimed biography "Grant"), adds to the long list of biographies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, one of our greatest presidents. At the outset, Smith makes clear his admiration for FDR – the book is dedicated to his parents, "proud Mississippians devoted to Franklin Roosevelt," and the epigraph states, "He lifted himself from his wheelchair to lift this nation from its knees." In the preface to his book, Smith mentions the biggest riddle for "FDR," by Jean Edward Smith (also author of the highly acclaimed biography "Grant"), adds to the long list of biographies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, one of our greatest presidents. At the outset, Smith makes clear his admiration for FDR – the book is dedicated to his parents, "proud Mississippians devoted to Franklin Roosevelt," and the epigraph states, "He lifted himself from his wheelchair to lift this nation from its knees." In the preface to his book, Smith mentions the biggest riddle for an FDR biographer: to explain how "this Hudson River aristocrat, a son of privilege who never depended on a paycheck, became the champion of the common man." In presenting FDR’s life story, though, Smith keeps to the conventional life story – from FDR’s privileged upbringing through the affair with Lucy Mercy through the bout with polio – covering the basics but never breaking new ground.

Smith, like most biographers, largely attributes FDR’s connection with the common man to his own bout with polio – not just because of the paralysis and helplessness FDR suffered himself but because FDR recovered in Warm Springs, Georgia, where he learned a great deal about rural poverty and strove to better the lives of these ordinary Americans. In addition to polio, Smith cites FDR’s affair with Lucy Mercer as a major factor in his growth as a person, quoting a friend of FDR’s who wrote that, in having to give up Lucy, FDR became a tougher and more resilient person. Smith describes in depth FDR’s accomplishments as president – from the GI Bill which opened up college education to the lower classes to Social Security to solving the housing and banking crises – making the clear case for how FDR "did more to alter the relationship between ordinary citizens and the government than any other American."

However, in making the case for FDR’s greatness as president, Smith sticks mostly to ground that has already been covered and breaks no new ground. In her extraordinary biography, "No Ordinary Time," Doris Kearns Goodwin not only covered the basics, but provided insight into that time by describing letters and thoughts of ordinary Americans – i.e., actually describing the connection ordinary Americans felt to the Roosevelts. Telling the story of FDR’s life through only FDR’s view point, Smith never succeeds in capturing the relationship between FDR and the American people. In addition, by including Eleanor Roosevelt as part of her biography, Goodwin added key insight into FDR’s thinking. While Smith dismisses Eleanor’s role as "tangential," Goodwin attributed great importance to Eleanor’s trips across the country – visiting the poor from the shacks of Appalachia to the sweatshops of Puerto Rico and reporting back to FDR – as something that allowed the Roosevelts to keep in touch with regular Americans. In "No Ordinary Time," the connection between FDR and the American people was personal and one of the great storylines in the book, culminating with America’s tearful reply to his death. In "FDR," Roosevelt’s life is presented more in terms of what he did rather than how he affected others and how they affected him.

As a result, "FDR" succeeds in its straightforward telling of the life of FDR but fails to present insight into his character and evolution from aristocrat to champion of the people. In the preface to "FDR," Smith wrote that it was time to recall "that cheerful man who could not walk, who could not stand unassisted, yet who remained serenely confident as he calmly guided the nation into a prosperous, peaceful future." In fact, FDR succeeds in recalling the life of FDR, but for readers who want to do more than recall his life – but want to get to know FDR and what he was about – the same ground is covered better in "No Ordinary Time," a more personal and compelling retelling of the extraordinary life of one of America's greatest presidents.
...more

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Jan 18, 2009 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Excellent biography for the general reader. There have been many books on Roosevelt recently, several about his relationship with Churchill specifically, but not a complete biography. Smith sees Roosevelt as, with Washington and Lincoln, in the top echelon of influential American presidents and her book is intended to show why. But he is also sensitive to his faults and doesn’t hesitate to condemn a number of his actions and attitudes, not the least of which was his attempt to "pack" the Supreme Excellent biography for the general reader. There have been many books on Roosevelt recently, several about his relationship with Churchill specifically, but not a complete biography. Smith sees Roosevelt as, with Washington and Lincoln, in the top echelon of influential American presidents and her book is intended to show why. But he is also sensitive to his faults and doesn’t hesitate to condemn a number of his actions and attitudes, not the least of which was his attempt to "pack" the Supreme Court by mandating another justice for every justice who turned 70. The reader has a sense of a factual and balanced view of an extraordinary man.
This isn’t a biography with startlingly new information. I’ve read a lot of books about Roosevelt and a lot of histories in which Roosevelt figures prominently and was surprised by nothing but still delighted with the book because of Smith's ability to analyze Roosevelt’s attitudes and actions in detail, free of political and popular bias. The one section of the book that seemed to me particularly good was her analysis of the build up to the attack on Pearl Harbor which revisionist historians recently have construed to suggest that Roosevelt deliberately allowed to happen in order to have an excuse for the US to enter the war. Certainly Roosevelt saw that necessity before the country as a whole was willing to abandon its isolationism, but after reading Smith’s account I’m convinced that the revisionist’s were wrong about Roosevelt. One particularly interesting facet was the attempt of Ambassador Joseph C. Grew to broker a rapprochement with Japan through the Japanese prime minister who did not want war but who was facing an ever-more-militant party within the government. Grew cabled the prime minister’s offer of talks to Roosevelt, but Roosevelt was in Placentia Bay at the time meeting with Churchill and drafting what became the Atlantic Charter. Evidently Grew’s cable was dealt with by more militant and anti-Japanese elements within the State Department.
Smith devoted more attention to the New Deal, both its successes and its failures, than to WWII which seemed odd to me, but after all, those years constituted a larger proportion of FDR’s presidency and the war years have been covered so thoroughly in the recent spate of books on WWII and Roosevelt’s role and influence. I was particularly convinced of Roosevelt’s power as a politician and leader when Smith showed how his positive attitude and ability to communicate with all Americans appealed to the people who had heard nothing but doom and gloom from Hoover who was not an inspiring communicator. In fact, with the US facing a Presidential choice at this time, it reminds me that sometimes the ability to communicate a vision is the most important job of a national leader.

This book clarified in my mind that Obama was the one to support in 2009.
...more

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Apr 21, 2018 Frank Theising rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bio-presidents

Another excellent bio from Jean Edward Smith. Well researched, very engaging, and relatively objective (the author is clearly a fan but is not afraid to discuss FDR’s political ruthlessness, character flaws, or mistakes). Like his book on Eisenhower, the conclusion is rather unsatisfying, abruptly ending with FDR’s death. FDR was hugely consequential and his life and accomplishments are impossible to fit into a single volume but Smith’s does a great job fitting so much into a mere 636 pages. Onl ...more

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May 07, 2013 Steve rated it really liked it · review of another edition

http://bestpresidentialbios.com/2016/...

“FDR” is Jean Edward Smith’s 2007 biography of the thirty-second U.S. president and is the 2008 recipient of the Francis Parkman Prize. Smith taught political science at the University of Toronto for 35 years and at Marshall University for 12 years. His next biography “Bush” will be released July 2016.

“FDR” is among the most widely read and beloved of biographies and for good reason. It is meticulously researched, exceedingly well-footnoted, admiring but b http://bestpresidentialbios.com/2016/...

“FDR” is Jean Edward Smith’s 2007 biography of the thirty-second U.S. president and is the 2008 recipient of the Francis Parkman Prize. Smith taught political science at the University of Toronto for 35 years and at Marshall University for 12 years. His next biography “Bush” will be released July 2016.

“FDR” is among the most widely read and beloved of biographies and for good reason. It is meticulously researched, exceedingly well-footnoted, admiring but balanced, and surprisingly facile for a book containing 636 pages of text.

The biography begins with an articulate, engaging preface and rarely disappoints during its twenty-six chapters. Smith clearly admires FDR but proves nearly as quick to criticize Roosevelt as to praise him; the strengths and weaknesses of this complicated man are on full display.

Early chapters provide interesting background into FDR’s ancestry and a brisk but competent walk through the first two decades of his life. The pace slows and the focus sharpens as Roosevelt begins his political life in the New York State Senate. From this point Smith furnishes greater-than-average detail but the reader is left with the distinct impression this book could have put an additional 100 pages to excellent use.

The author offers excellent insight into the women who strongly influenced FDR’s life (including his mother, his wife and his mistress) and provides the reader a sharper account of Herbert Hoover’s “Bonus Army” problem than even Hoover’s own biographers. Smith’s description of the enormous toll of the Great Depression and his coverage of the Japanese preparation for the attack on Pearl Harbor leave a vivid and indelible impression on the reader.

For all that is conveyed of Roosevelt and his colleagues, however, comparatively less is disclosed about his six children or his family life (to the extent it even existed). About two-thirds into the book the reader is treated to a robust review of their personalities and whereabouts but, more often than not, the author (like FDR) is focused elsewhere.

Smith’s writing style is clear, sober and often captivating. But this is not a highly animated, dramatic narrative in the style exhibited by some biographers. Facts consistently take precedence over scene-setting and readers predisposed to colorful or carefree prose may find this biography occasionally dry.

Early in the book the author alludes to the mystery of FDR’s evolution from Hudson River aristocrat to champion of the common man. Unfortunately, this dramatic but improbable transformation is never fully explored. And after carefully documenting the tragedy of FDR’s personal life and the majesty of his political life the book ends just three paragraphs after his death with no conclusion or sweeping review of his legacy.

Overall, Jean Edward Smith’s “FDR” is a thorough, engaging and penetrating exploration of the life of this renowned US president. More an intellectual than an emotional biography, this book is well-balanced in tone, thoughtful in content and makes excellent use of every page. Readers seeking a comprehensive but not exhaustive review of FDR’s life will find this biography an excellent choice.

Overall rating: 4½ stars ...more

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Feb 24, 2021 Mr. Matt rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history, 2021

FDR is one of those figures that towers over American and to some extent world history. Yet, I was surprised at how little I knew about the man. Despite having a degree in history, my knowledge of him could be summarized in a very short list: only four term President of the U.S., sponsored the New Deal, and led the States through the Great Depression and the Second World War. True, that's a big list of accomplishments for any leader, but I just knew it must only scratch the surface.

Part of what FDR is one of those figures that towers over American and to some extent world history. Yet, I was surprised at how little I knew about the man. Despite having a degree in history, my knowledge of him could be summarized in a very short list: only four term President of the U.S., sponsored the New Deal, and led the States through the Great Depression and the Second World War. True, that's a big list of accomplishments for any leader, but I just knew it must only scratch the surface.

Part of what led me to read this monstrously huge biography (it clocks in at a modest 1164 pages!) was to flesh out my superficial understanding of the man. The other part was my disgust at the events on January 6, 2021. How did we go from the progressive, forward looking policies of the 30s (that gave us Social Security, the SEC, the WPA, brought electricity to much of rural America, and more) to a set of regressive politics that led directly to the storming of the capital? What was I missing?

Long story short, I'm very glad I read this book. It was an excellent and comprehensive survey of the man's life and times. Like any good biography, you feel as if you know the subject by the time you are finished reading. It also expands your knowledge of their life and times. At times you will feel great respect for them, and at other times disappointment. Critically for me, I think it helped answer some of my questions.

FDR was a charismatic, visionary man. Sometimes branded a "traitor to his class," he saw the poverty and struggles of the ordinary people around him and wanted to do something about it. Much of rural America (especially in the South) was without electricity and plumbing. Most people could not afford to retire and lived in abject poverty. His fundamental desire to resolve these and other problems led directly to solutions that improved the lives of ordinary people. It also galvanized support behind the his party leading to years of Democratic domination of Congress and the Presidency.

So what happened? Fundamentally, to get his agenda passed, FDR had to make a deal with the more repressive side of US politics. In particular, he had to placate the Dixiecrats (Southern Democrats). This is why he could get some things done but not others. For example, the Tennessee Valley Authority was created because what Southern Senator or Congressman didn't want to bring electricity to their constituents? On the other hand, shaking hands with Jesse Owens or cracking down on lynchings ("states' rights!") was not possible as it would've cost his coalition the support of those same Dixiecrats. I think it is this dark seam in US politics that we saw on January 6th. There are, sadly, those people that are threatened by change.

Looking at this bind FDR was in also led to a series of engaging (often heated) discussions with friends and family. (Definitely a sign of a good read!) Does FDR's refusal to do more for the African American community make him less of a great man? Personally, I don't think so. You can't evaluate people who lived in the past by the standard's of today. It doesn't make his inaction right, but it makes it understandable. To confront the racism of his day (and the 30s are significantly closer to the Civil War than to the present) would've destroyed the Democratic party and spelled the end of the New Deal. He was in a bind and he played the cards he was dealt. Further, he did what he could when he could. Millions of African Americans were directly benefited by his programs, and, as the US war machine was ramping up in the late 30s, he ended racial discrimination in any company that did business with the Federal Government. (Additionally, it is worth noting that his wife, Eleanor, was very active in advocating and working for the rights of African Americans.)

The war is another gargantuan aspect of his Presidency. Unlike so many other leaders (both inside and outside the US) he saw the storm clouds gathering over Europe and Asia. Despite the strong isolationist movement, he quietly began re-arming the US and preparing to assist Britain (and the USSR). It is not an understatement to say that his at the time controversial Lend-Lease program saved the United Kingdom from capitulating to Nazi Germany in 1940 (and the USSR in 1941).

All of this only touches the man. He was an inventive, charismatic campaigner. For example, he won his first election by driving around upstate New York. At the time, the law required cars to stop for carriages. So he stopped for every carriage and used it as an opportunity to personally connect with a voter. He also connected directly with voters via his Fire Side Chats on the radio. Layered on top of this, he was a master of the political machine and used political patronage like a scalpel. I could go on and on with more accomplishments and firsts, but I'm getting tired of writing (and you might be getting tired of reading my thoughts).

In summary, this was a very good biography of FDR. If you want to learn more about the man, this is a good read. It was thick, but well written and engaging. I appreciated the use of letters and telegraphs to flesh things out.

Four stars out of five. ...more

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Apr 09, 2021 Stephen Kiernan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What can you say about a biography of one of the most consequential Americans in the nation's history, written by a scholar who uses primary sources, correspondence, thorough reporting -- and on certain occasions reveals that she was present when something took place?

Brilliant, encyclopedic, focused on its subject despite the unending temptations to digress (did Eleanor have lovers? What was Truman like?). Now I understand how Roosevelt sped so much legislation through Congress in order to end ...more

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Mar 21, 2009 Bryan Craig rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: presidential-bios

I have to say Jean Edward Smith has become one of my favorites. He did such a great job on Grant, so I read this one. He synthesizes so much information in such a great way. It is the best one-volume biography I have found on FDR. I would really rate this 4.5. If there is a flaw it is that he moved through WWII pretty fast, but you can find other books related to FDR and the war. It is a wonderful book.

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Jan 23, 2011 Jason Bland rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is a delicious meal made up of turn of the century politics and a side order of regret on how modern political discourse (and positions) have reverted. The beginning of the book which covers FDR's childhood and early political career, goes into Wilson's administration which offers an insight to a political party that no longer exists. That being one made up of religious conservatives with socially conscious progressive ideals in foreign relations, taxation, and the role to be played by ...more

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Aug 16, 2015 Mark rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: croah

One of the great challenges of writing a biography of America's 32nd president is encapsulating such a challenging character, complex life, and momentous career into the pages of a single volume. Doing so successfully requires incorporating his patrician background and upbringing, his marriage to one of the most remarkable women in American history, his early career in state and national politics, his affliction and adaptation to polio, his successful ascent to the presidency, and his management ...more

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Aug 06, 2017 Alan Tomkins-Raney rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the best biographies I have ever read, about one of the greatest Americans to have led and served his nation. A very balanced portrait of FDR, revealing his flaws as well as his talents and attributes. FDR transformed this country, and many of the ideas and political views that were so vociferously argued during his time are the same that challenge and vex us today. We can learn from history and example if we are willing.

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Mar 09, 2019 Jeff rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: presidential-bios

I have mixed feelings about this one, but mostly it is no fault of the author. FDR's life really deserves multiple volumes, but even as single-volume biography, this one could have used a couple hundred more pages. The handling of World War II was both disappointing and brilliant, as this was after all a book about a man and not about a war. But his term as governor of New York seemed little more than campaigning for reelection and then election to president, and surely deserved more attention. ...more

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Dec 18, 2020 Joseph rated it it was amazing

Easily the best single volume presidential biography I've read this year. The author details the struggles FDR faced in his fight to conquer polio, and how he led a nation back from the brink of disaster. The book covers FDR's political rise and personal life as well. The only complaint I had about the book was that it was heavily footnoted, and also that it didn't have much of a conclusion. Other than those two things, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking to learn mo ...more

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Nov 29, 2015 Regina Lindsey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-biography, biography, history, american-history, non-fiction, nonfiction, politics, presidential-reading-list, shelfari-favorites, u-s-history

FDR by Jean Edward Smith
5 Stars and a heart

FDR is almost deified by those on the left and attacked vociferously by those on the right. As is usually the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It is difficult for an author to write a truly objective biography on a subject. Most authors either detest or adore their subjects, and that bias readily shows. After all, there almost certainly has to be strong feelings one way or another in order to commit the kind of time necessary to accomplish FDR by Jean Edward Smith
5 Stars and a heart

FDR is almost deified by those on the left and attacked vociferously by those on the right. As is usually the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It is difficult for an author to write a truly objective biography on a subject. Most authors either detest or adore their subjects, and that bias readily shows. After all, there almost certainly has to be strong feelings one way or another in order to commit the kind of time necessary to accomplish a biography. However, as in the other works Smith produces, he shows an ability to look critically at his subjects. What is interesting about FDR is Smith, in the end, successfully demystifies a subject that if the reader allows him/herself to be open to the facts provides fascinating lessons.
Regardless of how FDR’s administration fits into one’s political ideology, his presidency drastically changed the relationship between this country’s government and its people and transformed the Democratic Party in a way that made it more competitive than any other time since the Civil War. Within the first 100 days of his administration he aggressively confronted the Great Depression with almost unanimous support across the aisle providing the country’s first robust social programs. Contrary, to an assumed “tax and spend” mentality that is often assigned to him, he did so while trying to maintain a balanced budget and readily cut federal spending in order to do so. FDR adroitly included members of both parties to push his agenda forward. This is particularly interesting to read today in a time when bi-partisanship is anathema to the nation’s voters and at a time when a president didn’t need to rely on support from the opposition, having large majorities in both houses. This was a skill he learned at the feet of Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels.
Ironically, at times, he seemed to work better across the aisle than within his own party.

FDR appeared to be at his best when working in crisis mode like his initial 100 days or in confronting WWII. However, when not in crisis mode he could become petty and vindictive as evidenced by the court packing scheme and the attempted purge of the party of those who didn’t whole-heartedly support his agenda, leading to an attempt to wrest the nomination in 1940 from his vice-president. What is particularly disturbing about the court-packing scheme is he had precedent to get support from the legislature, with a majority in both houses, to add additional Supreme Court justices as earlier presidents/legislatures had done (there is no constitutional directive as the number of justices). But, to push out justices based on an age benchmark is viewed by history as a complete overreach of authority and feeds into a narrative that isn’t kind to his legacy.

It is no secret I adore Smith’s work. However, here he was lacking in some areas. The most obvious was in his assertion to claim FDR “was not an original thinker” he never discussed how, then, FDR developed ideas that on such a broad scale that so radically changed the government’s relationship with its citizen. He spent very little time on his term as governor where it appeared FDR experimented with these ideas, but left of me want of understanding of the genesis of these ideas. Secondly, I was really disappointed in his handling of the war time president. While I did appreciate the revelation that FDR had the ability to employee vastly different management styles (hands on related to domestic policy and delegator in regards to war implementation), a skill not easily mastered, there was really nothing new here. There was little focus on FDR’s specific activities and more of a retelling of events, although he does provide excellent context for the country’s history with Japan since Grant’s administration.

If you have any interest in our country’s history and are interested in drawing lessons that could be pertinent today, this is an absolute must-read. It may be one of the most important biographies I’ve read. ...more

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Nov 16, 2014 Martin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: war, history, reviewed, non-comics, biography

Very easy to read , accessible, fast-paced (as biographies go) and extremely interesting/informative. This book has been called the best one-volume bio of FDR and, even though this is the only bio of FDR that I've read, I can see how this could be true. Without hesitation, I would recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in history, US presidents, WW II, and of course, FDR himself.

There are, however, a couple of things that prevent me from awarding this biography a full 5-Star rati Very easy to read , accessible, fast-paced (as biographies go) and extremely interesting/informative. This book has been called the best one-volume bio of FDR and, even though this is the only bio of FDR that I've read, I can see how this could be true. Without hesitation, I would recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in history, US presidents, WW II, and of course, FDR himself.

There are, however, a couple of things that prevent me from awarding this biography a full 5-Star rating:

(1) The book ends very abruptly. On page 636, about a third of the page down, FDR dies of a brain hemorrhage. A paragraph filling the second third of the page tells us the world mourned. One paragraph. The bottom third of the page recounts how a band of American POWs in Germany played Taps and had a moment of silence, before marching on. The End.

I'm sorry. What?! After reading 636 pages about FDR, maybe even developing a sort of bond (or whatever) with the subject matter, after investing a number of hours on this book, it seems to me that a chapter (or two) to wrap things up/recap would not have been too much.

** Although ** :

Well, maybe it's all for the best, because in Walter Isaacson's Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, the author has an 18-page 'Conclusions' chapter... which is about 14 pages too long! It starts off and blah-blabla-bla-blah, I didn't have the patience to finish it.

I guess a compromise somewhere between zero and eighteen pages (four, five maybe?) would be the ideal.

(2) Being well aware that this is a one-volume biography of an extraordinary man's extraordinary life, and that consequently some fat must be trimmed to keep the book at a reasonable page count, it seems to me that some parts could have benefitted from a bit more material. And even though about a third of the book covers 1939-1945, a short but important period, I feel like I barely skimmed the surface.

The author keeps up the fast pace - which I appreciate, by the way (thanks, Jean Edward Smith) - but so many historically significant things happpened in those years that more could've been said about them. At times it feels more like a 'by-the-way' comment from the author's part.

...more

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Dec 21, 2012 Christopher rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history, biography-memoir, united-states, the-presidents

Not too long ago I read the FDR Biography

Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Rendezvous with Destiny by Frank Freidel and was rather disappointed by it. After consulting with some friends on Goodreads, I bought this biography and, I have to say, it was money well spent. Mr. Smith has written a fabulous one-volume biography of FDR that truly brings the man to life. Despite it being roughly 630-plus pages, Mr. Smith's narrative flows freely and rapidly with few wasted words. It is also surprisingly deta ...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Cora rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: history

If you're a political buff in America, then reading a biography of FDR for the first timeis a bit like watching Casablanca for the first time--maybe you don't know the story entirely, but you could quote all the memorable lines (even the one that isn't even in the movie). And given the breadth and depth of FDR's influence on America, any single volume, no matter how long, is going to struggle to give any particular accomplishment more than cursory attention.

So how does Jean Edward Smith fare, wi If you're a political buff in America, then reading a biography of FDR for the first timeis a bit like watching Casablanca for the first time--maybe you don't know the story entirely, but you could quote all the memorable lines (even the one that isn't even in the movie). And given the breadth and depth of FDR's influence on America, any single volume, no matter how long, is going to struggle to give any particular accomplishment more than cursory attention.

So how does Jean Edward Smith fare, with those challenges in mind? On the New Deal, Smith's account struck me as generally solid but conventional, and this was somewhat disappointing. He generally minimizes the role of race in the New Deal, and his concession that Roosevelt was no hero on civil rights struck me as a little inadequate. Roosevelt needed the cooperation of committee chairmen from the Jim Crow South, who supported his New Deal programs so long as they buttressed white supremacy.

The result was an emphasis on 'local control' where local administrators (like Strom Thurmond in South Carolina) would steer aid largely to struggling white families. The income disparity between white workers and black workers grow markedly until the civil rights era thirty years later. The irony is that Roosevelt's symbolic, rhetorical support for the black population helped encourage a later generation of liberals to embrace civil rights more fully.

Smith is generally better when it comes to Roosevelt's wartime leadership. He seems much more energized by the material. The chapter about the deterioration of Japanese-American relations leading up to the bombing at Pearl Harbor is probably the most compelling material in the book. I was struck by how Roosevelt's relative indifference allowed relatively minor figures to play crucial roles. Smith's account was sufficiently intriguing to me that I'd like to read a book that explores the subject in more depth.

In general, I think this is a good book if you're looking for a straightforward narrative of Roosevelt's life and his importance in American history. I often found myself wishing that he had devoted more space to particular subjects, but to a large extent that's inherent in the subject matter. ...more

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Apr 15, 2015 Shawn Thrasher rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is one of the best pieces of nonfiction I've read in many months. Smith's writing style is superb; this isn't hagiography or hatchet-jobbery either. You can't write about a revered historical figure like Franklin Roosevelt without some sense of laud, but Smith maintains a mostly even keel. FDR has warts on show here. What I thought was particularly interesting was the Smith's premise that four women - Franklin's mother Sara, his wife Eleanor, his secretary Missy LeHand, and his one time mis ...more

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Jul 04, 2008 Bap rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: biography

I can't believe that I have never read a biography of FDR and I was amazed at how much I learned. FDR was a contradiction. A patrician born to old money, established wealth. To get some idea, shortly after he was marriedm, his mother Sara gave the newly weds a beach front cottage at Campabello Island, a cottage with 34 rooms. he was an unlikely candidate to step in to save this country from revolution. The depression was so unlike anything my generation has experienced. Not only malnutrition, un ...more

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Nov 10, 2011 Marijan Šiško rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

An extensive, objective and interesting biography of one of the greatest presidents USA ever had. very informative.

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Aug 24, 2009 Richard rated it it was amazing

Jean Edward Smith acknowledges that there is no lack of biographies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt or histories of the time period in which he lived, but he wanted to bring something new to current readers who have not realized the importance of this president who led the nation in times of the worst economic catastrophe and most momentous war in history. Smith attributes this hazy memory of FDR not only to the passage of time since the Roosevelt era, but to the efforts of conservative leaders fro ...more

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Jul 20, 2019 Jeremiah Tesch rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have been curious to learn more about FDR for some time now, and this biography did not disappoint. Smith seems to provide a balanced, engaging viewpoint of FDR in terms of his family background, personal relationships, career development, leadership abilities, etc., and he discusses both FDR's failures and his successes. Through this biography I found FDR to be a fascinating, inspiring figure. He, like several in his family, faced personal struggles and was able to use those experiences to br I have been curious to learn more about FDR for some time now, and this biography did not disappoint. Smith seems to provide a balanced, engaging viewpoint of FDR in terms of his family background, personal relationships, career development, leadership abilities, etc., and he discusses both FDR's failures and his successes. Through this biography I found FDR to be a fascinating, inspiring figure. He, like several in his family, faced personal struggles and was able to use those experiences to bring people together to overcome larger challenges on the national and international level. I was impressed with his decisive takeover of the presidency in 1933 - how did he know what had to be done to bring the nation out of the Depression? This required a thorough economic and historical understanding.

I also like how Smith discussed the context of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I have been reading about WWII for some ten years now, and this is the first historian/biographer that actually gave some background on events leading up to the attack, explaining both the Japanese and American side of things. It has increased my curiosity to learn about Japanese history.

I found it interesting that FDR and Winston Churchill both had backgrounds in naval management in WWI, and they presumably both shared an enthusiasm for the navy. Perhaps this led to their discussions of navy resources in WWII. On that topic, FDR was gravely disappointed in the Navy's negligence at Pearl Harbor.

These are just a few brief thoughts, but overall I enjoyed the biography and thought it was very well-written. Smith seems to like FDR but I think he provided a balanced view. I will say that I found the parts about his campaigns least interesting, but those were important stages of his career. The book was also certainly not short, but it did feel a little rushed considering the scope of the topic. I agree with others that it could have been split into multiple volumes to afford more adequate coverage of subtopics. Even so, this book raised several questions for me which will lead to other books!

As a supplement to this biography, I would recommend The Roosevelts: An Intimate History with Ken Burns (on Netflix). I don't usually like documentaries but this one isn't terrible.

[SPOILERS BELOW]

I will list some of my main questions below. Feel free to comment with your thoughts.

- What led to the mindset of Woodrow Wilson and Neville Chamberlain of going alone because they believed they were divinely ordained?
- How did FDR maintain an appearance of coolness and confidence despite circumstances?
- How did he maintain such a difference between his inner and outer self? This perhaps came from his early school days
- How did he know what had to be done to save the banking system?
- FDR and Herbert Hoover both showed great promise during World War I. Why did their careers take such drastically different directions?
- What did Bismarck mean by "The most important geopolitical fact of the modern era was that the Americans spoke English?" Perhaps that they could easily collaborate with Great Britain.
- Smith mentions the "aggressive imperialism of Germany and Italy." How is this imperialism similar or different from the British, French, etc. imperialism of the previous centuries?
- Why did the State Department refuse/prevent efforts to rescue Jews from Hitler? ...more

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Jan 25, 2011 Tori rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: for-genj-book-club-2010, biographies, non-fiction

Many people might think that a biography is a biography; they all contain facts about someone’s life. They might think that the only thing important is the quantity and credibility of the facts contained in the biography. To a point, yes, the facts that back up a biography are important. But there are several other factors that can make even a well researched book a not so good one; writing style, the author’s bias (while it is pretty much inevitable for a biography to have a bias, there is a po Many people might think that a biography is a biography; they all contain facts about someone’s life. They might think that the only thing important is the quantity and credibility of the facts contained in the biography. To a point, yes, the facts that back up a biography are important. But there are several other factors that can make even a well researched book a not so good one; writing style, the author’s bias (while it is pretty much inevitable for a biography to have a bias, there is a point where it can get in the way of the story) and the way the author presents the facts, to name a few.
The reason for the preamble? I needed it to explain my opinion of Jean Edward Smith’s FDR. The book had a lot of good facts that helped to give a picture of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and as someone who knew little about him before I learned quite a bit about our 32nd president, but it missed on so many other notes that in my opinion the book failed.
For starters, the writing style was one that I really didn’t care for. Smith broke one of the principle rules of writing, which is not to use a cliché phrase while writing narrative. FDR was filled with them, and once or twice I stumbled over his words because I was trying to take what he said literally when he didn’t mean it that way. Also, he used some language in his narrative, which I disliked completely. It made it almost unprofessional.
Also, his bias was overpowering. Even when you admire a man, which obviously Smith had deep admiration for FDR, you can still show the side of him that has his flaws. Yet any flaws FDR had I had to read between the lines of the narrative. And major flaws that the author couldn’t avoid he didn’t condemn; it felt like he either justified them or termed them “mistakes”.
I have trouble respecting Franklin Roosevelt as much as the author did. Yes, FDR helped the country through some hard times (whether his choices have helped us in the long term is a different discussion), but he had some deep character flaws. Roosevelt would put the votes he needed for reelection over important issues that should have been resolved (i.e. not trying to institute anti-lynching legislation in the South to protect people because he would loose votes there), or how he was consistently being disloyal to his wife and was never sorry for it.
So it really only boils down to this: is the book worth reading, and would I recommend it? My answer on both accounts is no, I really wouldn’t. Yes the book had plenty of facts, but none that you probably couldn’t find in other biographies. If you really want to learn about Franklin Roosevelt, I would recommend you try to find another biography besides Jean Edward Smith’s FDR. It just had more issues than I could handle.
...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Caroline rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: american-history, biography, world-war-2

I'm such a big fan of Teddy Roosevelt that for me FDR has always been 'the other Roosevelt' - although I'm very aware for most people the Roosevelts are very much reversed and Teddy is the other lesser Roosevelt. It's no coincidence, after all, that FDR is generally ranked in the top five of all America's presidents.

American often seems quite fortunate in its Presidents; when the situation is really desperate the right man seems to present himself. They were fortunate indeed with Washington duri I'm such a big fan of Teddy Roosevelt that for me FDR has always been 'the other Roosevelt' - although I'm very aware for most people the Roosevelts are very much reversed and Teddy is the other lesser Roosevelt. It's no coincidence, after all, that FDR is generally ranked in the top five of all America's presidents.

American often seems quite fortunate in its Presidents; when the situation is really desperate the right man seems to present himself. They were fortunate indeed with Washington during the Revolution, with Lincoln during the Civil War, and with FDR during the Depression and Second World War. Of course, it's easy to say such things with the benefit of hindsight, and very much an academic exercise in historical what-ifs to wonder how the war might have progressed with another man at the helm, or how the Depression might have deepened. And it's impossible to say how much was the situation and how much was the man.

That said, it cannot be denied that Roosevelt faced more in his four terms as President that most of his predecessors. Pulling the country out of the Depression alone would have ranked as a great achievement; that he used the occasion to propel the country on an almost-revolutionary path of welfare, social security, banking reform, government spending - the legacies of which are still felt to this day. It was FDR who pulled the Democrats from their reactionary, racist Southern roots and made it the party of the common man, the party of the poor, the down-trodden, the excluded - an almost complete U-turn. It was because of FDR that African-Americans abandoned the Republic party, the party of Lincoln, and they've never gone back since.

And it was FDR who did all he could to help the Allies short of joining the war, well aware that the attitude of the American people was not ready for war yet. The Lend-Lease Act gave an almost-bankrupt Britain the means to continue fighting, and the knowledge that he had a kindred spirit in the White House gave Churchill the morale to keep the country fighting. And once the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour FDR was secure enough not to interfere with his military chiefs, to appoint the right men for the task, men like Eisenhower, and let them do their jobs.

My own criticism of this biography is that I never once felt like it revealed anything new about Roosevelt. I never felt that it got under his skin or explored his thoughts and feelings in any great depth. His family is little touched upon beyond his early years, and his fascinating relationship with Eleanor is little-plumbed. As a recital of Roosevelt's actions as a politician and President it is an excellent biography, but I can't say I've come away from it with any greater understanding of the man. ...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Aaron Million rated it really liked it

Shelves: presidential-biography

This is a well-balanced, thoroughly researched biography of FDR. The notes section is excellent - there is so much more information contained in both the footnotes and the end notes that I followed along with the end notes as I finished each corresponding chapter. Smith does an admirable job of balancing the strengths and weaknesses, flaws and virtues, that made FDR such a complex person. Smith details certain instances of FDR's ruthlessness (1938 congressional elections, for example), while als This is a well-balanced, thoroughly researched biography of FDR. The notes section is excellent - there is so much more information contained in both the footnotes and the end notes that I followed along with the end notes as I finished each corresponding chapter. Smith does an admirable job of balancing the strengths and weaknesses, flaws and virtues, that made FDR such a complex person. Smith details certain instances of FDR's ruthlessness (1938 congressional elections, for example), while also showing how FDR changed his will to give half of his estate to Missy LeHand in exchange for her years of loyal service to him.

FDR was a truly incredible man and leader, and one of my favorite Presidents. However, he certainly did many things that were not upstanding. Smith does a good job of detailing FDR's time as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under Woodrow Wilson during WWI. I did not think that Smith devoted much attention to FDR's tenure as Governor of New York, but then again, FDR seemed to have his sights set on the presidency by that point.

I also do not think that Smith talked a great deal of Eleanor's impact during the White House years. Once the affair with Lucy Mercer was revealed, she seemed to fade more or less into the background. Which, perhaps, is what happened from FDR's point of view. And the book ends abruptly - FDR dies on the final page. So, there is no Epilogue to talk about some of the many lasting legacies that FDR left us with, and nothing much of reaction in the way of his death. For example, FDR kept Truman at arm's length and didn't share any information with him. This while knowing that he was in ill heath. It seems to me that he did a great disservice to Truman personally, and the country and war effort in general, by keeping Truman in the dark. Again, maybe Smith ended the book in this fashion to signify the abruptness of FDR's death and the shock that it caused to the country.

One final comment: Smith structured the book in a manner where almost all of the chapters read all the way through, with no breaks contained within the chapters themselves when he switches to a different subject. I prefer books that have some breaks - more for the reason that I can read a few quick pages here and there. Whereas with a book like Smith's, once I started a chapter I wanted to try to finish it so that I am not picking it up in the middle of something later. But that does not detract from the quality of the book. ...more

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Oct 26, 2016 Chris rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, wwii, the-presidents

This is the second biography I have read by Jean Edward Smith. Both this work and his book on Eisenhower are outstanding. More than any other author I have read, he covers his subject in a very evenhanded manner. He points out the good and the bad character traits and actions of his subject and does not fall prey to "hero-worship" as many biographers have a tendency to do. When Roosevelt missteps, Smith does not hold back judgement. For instance, Smith spends quite a bit of time criticizing FDR' ...more

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Jul 06, 2015 Jason Aldous rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Never a hero among conservatives and constitutionalists, FDR nonetheless contributed mightily to the power and prestige of America in the world. Smith's book makes this case in spades!

Smith is the same author as for the Eisenhower book I've also read. After reading both books, I honestly found Ike's story to be an even more compelling one than FDR's. The Second World War provided Eisenhower with a unique opportunity in military history, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe, making hi ...more

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Jul 08, 2019 Zach Waldis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Though he is undoubtedly one of America's (and probably the world's) greatest leaders, FDR and his legacy have largely disappeared from public memory. Smith recounts his life in an accessible and honest way which instils in the reader a sense of the perils of FDR's day and the greatness of the man. Highly recommended. ...more

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About Jean Edward Smith

Jean Edward Smith

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Jean Edward Smith was the John Marshall Professor of Political Science at Marshall University and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto after having served as professor of political economy there for thirty-five years. Smith also served as professor of history and government at Ashland University.

A graduate of McKinley High School in Washington, D.C., Smith received an A.B. from Princeto ...more

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“He lifted himself from a wheelchair to lift the nation from its knees.” — 20 likes

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