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The Roosevelt I Knew
A vivid and intimate portrait of the New Deal president by the first woman ever appointed to the U.S. Cabinet.
When Francis Perkins first met Franklin D. Roosevelt at a dance in 1910, she was a young social worker and he was an attractive young man making a modest debut in state politics. Over the next thirty-five years, she watched his career unfold, becoming both a close family friend and a trusted political associate whose tenure as secretary of labor spanned his entire administration. FDR and his presidential policies continue to be widely discussed in the classroom and in the media, and The Roosevelt I Knew offers a unique window onto the man whose courage and pioneering reforms still resonate in the lives of Americans today.
408 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 1946
81 people are currently reading
799 people want to read
About the author
Frances Perkins
17 books17 followersFrances Perkins, born Fannie Coralie Perkins, was the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, and the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet.
As a loyal supporter of her friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt, she helped pull the labor movement into the New Deal coalition. She and Interior Secretary Harold Ickes were the only original members of the Roosevelt cabinet who remained in offices for his entire presidency.
As a loyal supporter of her friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt, she helped pull the labor movement into the New Deal coalition. She and Interior Secretary Harold Ickes were the only original members of the Roosevelt cabinet who remained in offices for his entire presidency.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 22, 2018
Frances Perkins served as Minister of Labor (I will spell it the American way!) right from the get-go in 1933. She held this position until 1945.
There are many aspects of Roosevelt’s personality that come through in this autobiography. For example Roosevelt knew how to delegate tasks giving his team independence in their methodology. By contrast Churchill did not; he was forever probing and drilling down for details, hounding his people relentlessly. Roosevelt, like Churchill I feel, had no preset ideological pathway.
Page 164 (my book)
Overshadowing them all was his feeling that nothing in human judgement is final. One may courageously take the step that seems right today because it can be modified tomorrow if it does not work well... “We can do it. At least let’s try.”... “If it doesn’t turn out right, we can modify it as we go.”
What was apprehensive was Roosevelt’s tendency to be “friends” with everyone. Everyone included Josef Stalin. This was a miscalculation.
There are many personal anecdotes on Frances Perkins long relationship with Franklin Roosevelt. I do feel the author paints too rosy a picture of the relationship between labor and management during these years. There is no mention of the violent confrontations between workers and police, and this was often racial like in Detroit in 1943.
In the latter half of the book the reading became tedious when the author, at least for me, went on far too long about the implementation of social security, unemployment insurance, and the like.
What is incredible is the overwhelming transition the United States underwent under Roosevelt after 1932, from a debilitating economic depression to becoming the foremost world power in 1945.
Note – the edition I read was from 1946, books can last a long time!
There are many aspects of Roosevelt’s personality that come through in this autobiography. For example Roosevelt knew how to delegate tasks giving his team independence in their methodology. By contrast Churchill did not; he was forever probing and drilling down for details, hounding his people relentlessly. Roosevelt, like Churchill I feel, had no preset ideological pathway.
Page 164 (my book)
Overshadowing them all was his feeling that nothing in human judgement is final. One may courageously take the step that seems right today because it can be modified tomorrow if it does not work well... “We can do it. At least let’s try.”... “If it doesn’t turn out right, we can modify it as we go.”
What was apprehensive was Roosevelt’s tendency to be “friends” with everyone. Everyone included Josef Stalin. This was a miscalculation.
There are many personal anecdotes on Frances Perkins long relationship with Franklin Roosevelt. I do feel the author paints too rosy a picture of the relationship between labor and management during these years. There is no mention of the violent confrontations between workers and police, and this was often racial like in Detroit in 1943.
In the latter half of the book the reading became tedious when the author, at least for me, went on far too long about the implementation of social security, unemployment insurance, and the like.
What is incredible is the overwhelming transition the United States underwent under Roosevelt after 1932, from a debilitating economic depression to becoming the foremost world power in 1945.
Note – the edition I read was from 1946, books can last a long time!
August 14, 2016
After reading about Frances Perkins, I decided to try a book by her and picked this up from the City library. I found it fascinating. I learned a lot about the history of Labor and about Perkins herself. I learned a lot about FDR's management style and why so many people have admired him over the years. I found it fascinating to read about the meeting that occurred on the evening of Pearl Harbor Day (Dec 7 1941) when the cabinet was called back for an emergency meeting. Perkins, and several others who were out of town, were not even aware of what had happened and people interrupted the President's speech to the cabinet asking just what had happened. These days, such a lapse in knowledge would be inconceivable! Obviously this is a biased book: Perkins makes no secret that she deeply admired the President. What is interesting is that Perkins does mention some of the attributes she considered negative about the President. This is a great way to learn about FDR as president. I do highly recommend this book.
March 14, 2018
Depois de já ter lido várias biografias ou obras semelhantes sobre o FDR, o retrato aqui desenhado não me trouxe novidade de maior, a não ser uma refrescante e assumidamente subjectiva perspectiva de alguém que com ele lidou numa base quase diária durante doze anos.
Por isso, o que mais apreciei não foi tanto a informação sobre o Roosevelt tal como conhecido por Frances Perkins, quanto o insight de umas das principais e mais progressista figuras do New Deal sobre a forma como este surgiu e foi sendo implementado.
Por isso, o que mais apreciei não foi tanto a informação sobre o Roosevelt tal como conhecido por Frances Perkins, quanto o insight de umas das principais e mais progressista figuras do New Deal sobre a forma como este surgiu e foi sendo implementado.
June 16, 2020
Frances Perkins was the labor secretary under FDR, the first woman ever elected to a cabinet position. She's responsible for much of the New Deal legislation, in particular social security and unemployment insurance, safety-nets we take for granted today. It's remarkable that Frances and FDR among others in the administration had the foresight to not just deal with the crises at hand but to think about future generations.
Written in 1946, "The Roosevelt I knew" at times seems rushed. Apparently there was a lot of pressure to be the first biography after Roosevelt's death. However I found many parts difficult to put down. Throughout Perkins weaves tantalizing anecdotes that really breathe life into Roosevelt, the man. At a service in DC, the bishop asks Roosevelt if he wouldn't also consider being buried at the church like Wilson and former ambassador Kellogg. Once in the car with Frances, Roosevelt looks at her with a remark, "damn body-snatchers!" There's also Roosevelt's now famous speech where he humorously defends his dog Fala from the GOP's personal attack. The back story is that FDR's opponent, Dewey had just given a speech a few days prior outlining many of the same points Roosevelt was going to make. (At this time because of the immense popularity many Republicans came out in favor of the New Deal, just that they would do it better). Frances among others scrambled to put together a labor speech and sent it along to Roosevelt. Roosevelt's reply: "You don't need to worry. I'm not going to use any of the stuff you sent me. Put it away. Maybe we'll use it some other time, but not now. I've got my mind on something else." And proceeded to talk about Fala to thunderous applause. Frances also relays the story of Roosevelt's first meeting with the economist Keynes who assumed FDR knew more about economics than he did. In speaking to Perkins, "I saw your friend Keynes. He left a whole rigmarole of figures. He must be a mathematician than a political economist."
There's also some drier parts where Frances discusses how legislation was shaped and what led to some of the administration's decisions. But even these parts are fascinating in their own right. Should unemployment insurance be federal or a joint venture with the states? Is a federal system constitutional? Should there be a flat cross-the-board minimum wage? or should it be different for each industry? Interestingly enough labor unions opposed an industry specific minimum wage fearing it would imply a suggested rate as well. I was surprised to learn that FDR wanted healthcare to be attached to the unemployment and social security bills but ultimately demurred because of special interests.
All in all I found "The Roosevelt I knew" very readable. I have so much respect for Perkins and her intellect. We should all be thankful for what she accomplished with the New Deal.
Written in 1946, "The Roosevelt I knew" at times seems rushed. Apparently there was a lot of pressure to be the first biography after Roosevelt's death. However I found many parts difficult to put down. Throughout Perkins weaves tantalizing anecdotes that really breathe life into Roosevelt, the man. At a service in DC, the bishop asks Roosevelt if he wouldn't also consider being buried at the church like Wilson and former ambassador Kellogg. Once in the car with Frances, Roosevelt looks at her with a remark, "damn body-snatchers!" There's also Roosevelt's now famous speech where he humorously defends his dog Fala from the GOP's personal attack. The back story is that FDR's opponent, Dewey had just given a speech a few days prior outlining many of the same points Roosevelt was going to make. (At this time because of the immense popularity many Republicans came out in favor of the New Deal, just that they would do it better). Frances among others scrambled to put together a labor speech and sent it along to Roosevelt. Roosevelt's reply: "You don't need to worry. I'm not going to use any of the stuff you sent me. Put it away. Maybe we'll use it some other time, but not now. I've got my mind on something else." And proceeded to talk about Fala to thunderous applause. Frances also relays the story of Roosevelt's first meeting with the economist Keynes who assumed FDR knew more about economics than he did. In speaking to Perkins, "I saw your friend Keynes. He left a whole rigmarole of figures. He must be a mathematician than a political economist."
There's also some drier parts where Frances discusses how legislation was shaped and what led to some of the administration's decisions. But even these parts are fascinating in their own right. Should unemployment insurance be federal or a joint venture with the states? Is a federal system constitutional? Should there be a flat cross-the-board minimum wage? or should it be different for each industry? Interestingly enough labor unions opposed an industry specific minimum wage fearing it would imply a suggested rate as well. I was surprised to learn that FDR wanted healthcare to be attached to the unemployment and social security bills but ultimately demurred because of special interests.
All in all I found "The Roosevelt I knew" very readable. I have so much respect for Perkins and her intellect. We should all be thankful for what she accomplished with the New Deal.
May 31, 2019
A fascinating deeply personal view of Roosevelt by his right hand woman, Francis Perkins. It is amazing how he navigated all the problems the country faced and keep his equilibrium. He also seemed blissfully unaware on many issues like foreign affairs and labor unions. Most interesting is how the New Deal was just a concept and had no specifics when he proposed it, much like the Green New Deal. Very interesting read.
May 28, 2021
I found this to be a great book, worthy of a brilliant author with a double MA, an expert on labor. Perkins was Secretary of Labor for Roosevelt and draws an affectionate but still objective picture of him as president and as a man. She was one of only two Cabinet members who stayed with Roosevelt the entire time he was president. I’m sure I liked the book because I have a BA in History, but also because Perkins published it in 1946, while the people and events chronicled were fresh in her mind.
March 1, 2021
Awesome primary source. Also Frances Perkins is incredible.
August 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this book as a first hand account of the FDR administrations from a policy and operations perspective. Perkins served FDR as Sec of Labor throughout his presidency. She is an eye witness to the public side and some of the private side of the President. Her story focuses a great deal in the New Deal and the efforts by FDR to restart the Nation’s economic engine. There is a big focus on empathy by the President for the average citizen in the country. FDR and Perkins began a friendship and working relationship in New York that continued through his service there as governor. She was a strong advocate for social change in a day when that voice was not widely shared. She did influence FDR and through him the country was forever changed.
April 11, 2020
While it was a struggle to read with details and names, the candidness of Perkins’s observations was a pure joy. While very dry in some places surrounding strikes and groups and policies, it was clear that she had the pulse of a nation and the attention of the man in charge fully. A truly extraordinary document of a time long gone and so valuable to our understanding today.
November 26, 2022
I have this old original hardback from the late 1940's. I would sell it cheap in a heartbeat.
I am in the Houston area. I would hate to toss it, but have been downsizing and was close to a hoarder. Have been making some hard cuts to the collection.
I've just skimmed this book, would prefer a more even handed appraisal.
I really liked Samuel Pettengill's scathing appraisal of FDR and the New Deal in Smokescreen. Circa 1940.
Pettengill was a right-moderate Democrat from Indiana and had been a Congressman.
He basically was warning of a move towards fascism and that was an argument I had never considered for a leftist like Frank. I was pretty much schooled in the left is commie and right is fascist or even Nazi school.
If you think about it totalitarian regimes are all about big government so it is just common sense that they reside on the left of the spectrum.
I find FDR interesting, along with the history of those fascinating times.
A lot of folk go with rhe right being anarchist to Libertarian. I lean this direction and prefer some Ludwig Von Mises-Austrian Economics.
I had a professor in college in an International Poly Sci class that liked a circular definition of right and left and I still see some merit in this. Basically the extremes both left and right become pretty much the same and complete the circle.
I skimmed John T Flynns critical FDR bio years ago too. I hope it's still up in the attic.
I know most all of my older relatives who were basically working middle class liked FDR. I don't really like any of the Roosevelt's. Interestingly Teddy and Frank both died in their early 60's.
Ms Perkins was Labor Secretary for his entire reign and seems to be a little too much of a cheerleader.
Guessing she was pretty close to a Commie. I know Henry Wallace was, good he was forced from the VP position in a compromise that brought in the left-moderare Truman for that 4th Term. Otherwise the Yalta Conference probably would have given a much bigger chunk to the beast Stalin and his USSR. Not buying "beast", read Timothy Snyders Bloodlands.
I am in the Houston area. I would hate to toss it, but have been downsizing and was close to a hoarder. Have been making some hard cuts to the collection.
I've just skimmed this book, would prefer a more even handed appraisal.
I really liked Samuel Pettengill's scathing appraisal of FDR and the New Deal in Smokescreen. Circa 1940.
Pettengill was a right-moderate Democrat from Indiana and had been a Congressman.
He basically was warning of a move towards fascism and that was an argument I had never considered for a leftist like Frank. I was pretty much schooled in the left is commie and right is fascist or even Nazi school.
If you think about it totalitarian regimes are all about big government so it is just common sense that they reside on the left of the spectrum.
I find FDR interesting, along with the history of those fascinating times.
A lot of folk go with rhe right being anarchist to Libertarian. I lean this direction and prefer some Ludwig Von Mises-Austrian Economics.
I had a professor in college in an International Poly Sci class that liked a circular definition of right and left and I still see some merit in this. Basically the extremes both left and right become pretty much the same and complete the circle.
I skimmed John T Flynns critical FDR bio years ago too. I hope it's still up in the attic.
I know most all of my older relatives who were basically working middle class liked FDR. I don't really like any of the Roosevelt's. Interestingly Teddy and Frank both died in their early 60's.
Ms Perkins was Labor Secretary for his entire reign and seems to be a little too much of a cheerleader.
Guessing she was pretty close to a Commie. I know Henry Wallace was, good he was forced from the VP position in a compromise that brought in the left-moderare Truman for that 4th Term. Otherwise the Yalta Conference probably would have given a much bigger chunk to the beast Stalin and his USSR. Not buying "beast", read Timothy Snyders Bloodlands.
January 12, 2026
I came to this biography for two reasons: the subject and the author.
Roosevelt rose to the times to become the only four-term President in U.S. history, and I learned in reading this that what caused such popular support was the way he genuinely cared for people. He could focus all of his attention on his interlocuter. He never stopped asking questions of those in the room. His politics were framed around aiding the most people for the longest time. The portrait that emerges shows a man of great integrity and character, laughter, yet focused on solving crucial social issues--one of which was leading the country in a World War. FDR stands in complete contrast to the current political leader. FDR seems like a dream now.
The second reason I snatched this off my College's library shelf was the author. Perkins was a leading figure in New Deal programs. She served in FDR's Cabinet from beginning to end as Secretary of Labor (only other did so too, Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior). She provided the leadership to create and maintain many of the social programs that have benefited generations of Americans. Yet here, she shines her light on FDR.
By extension, she writes of her own contributions with FDR's leadership. Because she knew him twenty years before he became President, she writes many personal anecdotes about him to create a remarkable portrait. She declares from the onset that her account will nudge closer to hagiography than biography, and she was accurate; also, you won't find much on FDR as Commander in Chief here (Truman never appears). But this is a gem of a book because she was so intimate with the man. Plus, she's an expert writer.
Roosevelt rose to the times to become the only four-term President in U.S. history, and I learned in reading this that what caused such popular support was the way he genuinely cared for people. He could focus all of his attention on his interlocuter. He never stopped asking questions of those in the room. His politics were framed around aiding the most people for the longest time. The portrait that emerges shows a man of great integrity and character, laughter, yet focused on solving crucial social issues--one of which was leading the country in a World War. FDR stands in complete contrast to the current political leader. FDR seems like a dream now.
The second reason I snatched this off my College's library shelf was the author. Perkins was a leading figure in New Deal programs. She served in FDR's Cabinet from beginning to end as Secretary of Labor (only other did so too, Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior). She provided the leadership to create and maintain many of the social programs that have benefited generations of Americans. Yet here, she shines her light on FDR.
By extension, she writes of her own contributions with FDR's leadership. Because she knew him twenty years before he became President, she writes many personal anecdotes about him to create a remarkable portrait. She declares from the onset that her account will nudge closer to hagiography than biography, and she was accurate; also, you won't find much on FDR as Commander in Chief here (Truman never appears). But this is a gem of a book because she was so intimate with the man. Plus, she's an expert writer.
November 2, 2022
More than a review, some phrases that impressed me in a positive way:
1) Favorite FDR verse 1 Cor 13:13. Roosvelt arrived in Washington prepared to seize the moment. The hundred days has been called a hodgepodge. it was improvised and often chaotic. A bright thread of intention ran through the confusions and contradictions
2) The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
3) People dont eat in the long run. They eat every day
4) Woman should put family ahead of Career. France Perkins
5) The goal of the New Deal was to take the edge off human misery.
6) Not only Passionate and fast-moving, but he was also thoughtful and innovative
7) A lot happened out of the determination of few people, didnt it?
8) The power of a few determined people to do good is as true today as it ever was.
9)Principle: Larger welfare stands above the individual right.
10) The emergency banking act was the administration first triumph and it was a dramatic one. Capitalism was saved in eight days .
11) It is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. FDR
1) Favorite FDR verse 1 Cor 13:13. Roosvelt arrived in Washington prepared to seize the moment. The hundred days has been called a hodgepodge. it was improvised and often chaotic. A bright thread of intention ran through the confusions and contradictions
2) The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
3) People dont eat in the long run. They eat every day
4) Woman should put family ahead of Career. France Perkins
5) The goal of the New Deal was to take the edge off human misery.
6) Not only Passionate and fast-moving, but he was also thoughtful and innovative
7) A lot happened out of the determination of few people, didnt it?
8) The power of a few determined people to do good is as true today as it ever was.
9)Principle: Larger welfare stands above the individual right.
10) The emergency banking act was the administration first triumph and it was a dramatic one. Capitalism was saved in eight days .
11) It is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. FDR
November 26, 2023
Is this the only book you should read about FDR? No. Is it the first book you should read about FDR? No. Is this one of the most valuable books you can read about FDR? Yes. Perkins fully admits in the introduction that she is bias, but her admiration of FDR is supported throughout the entire text with countless unique and priceless perspectives. As a history teacher and huge fan of Eleanor, I already had a fair amount of insight into the Man, but this added so much. Yes, its missing elements of shortcomings, such as his lack of focus on helping improve the lives of Black Americans, locking up Japanese Americans, and the frustrations that led to his desire to "pack" the Supreme Court. However it does provide a valuable look into his strong leadership traits, unions, and economic reforms. Most fascinating of all, through Perkins' close relationship she provides her observations during historic moments such as Pearl Harbor and FDR's thoughts on Stalin, and Yalta. The contents of this book resolved some looming questions I had about the man. Priceless primary source text.
December 30, 2025
Despite having grown up interested in the Great Depression and World War II eras, I never did much research on Franklin Roosevelt as a person. I came across this book secondhand around the time I read Becoming Madam Secretary (a fictionalized account of Frances Perkins’ life), and I thought it would be fascinating to read about FDR from her perspective.
Frances Perkins was the first female to serve in a Presidential Cabinet. She shared both a personal and professional relationship with President Roosevelt. Her writings about him share both sides of these relationships, though there is emphasis on him as a person and not only his politics and acts as President of the United States.
I loved the range of topics, touching on history, politics, religion, war, and overall culture in different parts of America at this time. It took me longer to get through than I anticipated, the writing rich and endearing. Although I wouldn’t consider this to be a comprehensive biography on FDR, it’s an important one, being an intimate account from a friend and colleague.
Frances Perkins was the first female to serve in a Presidential Cabinet. She shared both a personal and professional relationship with President Roosevelt. Her writings about him share both sides of these relationships, though there is emphasis on him as a person and not only his politics and acts as President of the United States.
I loved the range of topics, touching on history, politics, religion, war, and overall culture in different parts of America at this time. It took me longer to get through than I anticipated, the writing rich and endearing. Although I wouldn’t consider this to be a comprehensive biography on FDR, it’s an important one, being an intimate account from a friend and colleague.
January 28, 2025
Frances Perkins was FDR's Sec'y of Labor. The first female cabinet member in US history and the longest serving member of FDR's cabinet. Her observations of FDR: his personality, his mannerisms, his style of management and politics is a worthy addition to the FDR historical canon. She also discusses the various New Deal initiatives she was involved in. In the first half of the book each initiative is discussed at a very high level but unfortunately in the second half she gets bogged down in too much detail.
She obviously thought the world of FDR and the book tends towards hagiography, but so what? Her intention was not to write a critical history, but to provide her thoughts regarding a man that many consider the most important person of the 20th century.
She obviously thought the world of FDR and the book tends towards hagiography, but so what? Her intention was not to write a critical history, but to provide her thoughts regarding a man that many consider the most important person of the 20th century.
May 15, 2022
I've read a lot on the Great Depression and New Deal but this is the first time I've read from a primary source. One striking difference to me on this vs the other biographies and historians I've read is the importance of Secretary of Treasure Henry Morgenthau. Previous works I've read portray Morgenthau as FDR's right hand man, a voice-to-power type character in the administration. This book hardly mentions Morgenthau at all. It places more emphasis on the importance of Harold Ickes (Secretary of the Interior), Henry Wallace (Secretary of Agriculture/Vice President), and of course herself, who did a fantastic job building the dept of labor and establishing fair working conditions.
April 22, 2025
History Lessons
This was an interesting story to read, although we learned of FDR in history class. This story gave the human side of Franklin Delno Roosevelt. The story also gave the role of the president and how the job added so much stress. It was interesting to know that he knew the war would be over by the end of May yet it officially was over in September. Although Nazi Germany surrendered in May. The story was told by Francis Perkins after serving as the first female cabinet member. The New Deal was a series of programs created to help bring the country out of the depression.
This was an interesting story to read, although we learned of FDR in history class. This story gave the human side of Franklin Delno Roosevelt. The story also gave the role of the president and how the job added so much stress. It was interesting to know that he knew the war would be over by the end of May yet it officially was over in September. Although Nazi Germany surrendered in May. The story was told by Francis Perkins after serving as the first female cabinet member. The New Deal was a series of programs created to help bring the country out of the depression.
July 1, 2020
What a perfect contrast to #45! Too much dated labor negotiation details, yet very personal. Written in 1946, it captures the incredible time period and perspectives. Thanks for the 40 hour workweek!
December 13, 2022
1. I finally finished it. 2. I love Frances Perkins. 3. Her truths from the insiders point of view are revealing and heartening. As the child of FDR Democrats, I have a much better appreciation of the man they revered so highly and of the first female Cabinet Secretary in history.
May 19, 2024
Happy to have read this, though parts were extremely dry. I enjoyed Perkins insights into the President. Though the depth of information on policy and administration were more than what interested me, I could see an audience for anyone interested the history of labor relations.
November 6, 2024
Interesting insider account from a member of Roosevelt’s cabinet. As much about her life as secretary of labor as about FDR. Good stuff from a woman who knew him as a young man, served under him when he was governor, and with him throughout his presidency. Published in 1946, it lacks perspective.
April 2, 2021
Marvelous!!
April 5, 2021
A lot of ignorance in the reform movement. Quality legislation but not sure this was a time when America “worked”.
September 15, 2024
This is a gem of a book.
January 18, 2020
An Admirer's Portrait of FDR
I have read many books about Franklin Roosevelt over the years. It is a sort of hobby. This is one of the earliest, and one of the best. Frances Perkins first met Roosevelt in 1910, when he was a first-term state senator, and she had the advantage as Secretary of Labor, of being one of only two Cabinet members who served him throughout his three-plus terms as President. Perkins is able to chart Roosevelt's growth from an ambitious, rather superficial political tyro to one of the greatest US presidents. I wish I had read a long time ago.
I have read many books about Franklin Roosevelt over the years. It is a sort of hobby. This is one of the earliest, and one of the best. Frances Perkins first met Roosevelt in 1910, when he was a first-term state senator, and she had the advantage as Secretary of Labor, of being one of only two Cabinet members who served him throughout his three-plus terms as President. Perkins is able to chart Roosevelt's growth from an ambitious, rather superficial political tyro to one of the greatest US presidents. I wish I had read a long time ago.
May 4, 2014
Not much on style, but great content.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews