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High Tension: FDR's Battle to Power America
An account of Franklin Roosevelt's battle against the power industry to bring electricity to rural communities in the United States.
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office in the depths of the Depression, high tension―or high voltage―power lines had been marching across the country for decades, delivering urban Americans a parade of life-transforming inventions from electric lights and radios to refrigerators and washing machines. But most rural Americans still lived in the punishing pre-electric era, unconnected to the grid, their lives consumed and bodies broken by backbreaking chores.
High Tension is the story of FDR's battle against the "Power Trust," an elaborate Wall Street-controlled web of holding companies, to electrify all of America―even when the corrupt captains of the industry and their cronies (led by a formidable and honest champion, Wendell Willkie, whose role in the battle propelled him to a presidential bid to unseat Roosevelt in 1940) cried that running lines to rural areas would not be profitable and that in a free market there would simply have to be a divide between the electricity haves and have-nots.
Roosevelt knew better. And in this story of shrewd political maneuvering, controversial legislation, New Deal government organizations like the Tennessee Valley Authority, the packing of Federal courts, towering business figures, greedy villains, and the crying needs of farmers and other rural citizens desperate for services critical to their daily lives, John A. Riggs has chronicled democracy's greatest balancing act of government intervention with private market forces. Here is the tale of how FDR's efforts brought affordable electricity to all Americans, powered the industrial might that won World War II, and established a model for public-private solutions today in areas such as transportation infrastructure, broadband, and health care.
Praise for High Tension
"The little known but captivating story of electricity is at the heart of the New Deal. John A. Riggs is the perfect person to tell the tale." ―Walter Isaacson, author of The Innovators, Leonardo da Vinci, and Steve Jobs
"[A] lucid and compelling tale. This is a fresh angle of vision on one of the most important and under-appreciated stories of the first half of the 20th century." ―Jonathan Alter, author of The Defining FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope
"An innovative history of the chaos and conniving that created America's transformative electricity system. . . . A compelling read. Thoroughly researched and gracefully written. . . . A must for historians, it is also a gripping read for all." ―Martin J. Sherwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning co-author of American The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
"[A]n exhaustive look at President Franklin Roosevelt's multipronged war against the private utility sector. . . . Riggs dives deep into the legislative, judicial, and public opinion battles over Roosevelt's energy initiatives, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, and argues that the hybrid public-private system that emerged in America was critical to the nation's "economic global supremacy" during and after WWII. . . . [T]his authoritative account is a valuable resource for students of America's energy policy." ―Publishers Weekly
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt took office in the depths of the Depression, high tension―or high voltage―power lines had been marching across the country for decades, delivering urban Americans a parade of life-transforming inventions from electric lights and radios to refrigerators and washing machines. But most rural Americans still lived in the punishing pre-electric era, unconnected to the grid, their lives consumed and bodies broken by backbreaking chores.
High Tension is the story of FDR's battle against the "Power Trust," an elaborate Wall Street-controlled web of holding companies, to electrify all of America―even when the corrupt captains of the industry and their cronies (led by a formidable and honest champion, Wendell Willkie, whose role in the battle propelled him to a presidential bid to unseat Roosevelt in 1940) cried that running lines to rural areas would not be profitable and that in a free market there would simply have to be a divide between the electricity haves and have-nots.
Roosevelt knew better. And in this story of shrewd political maneuvering, controversial legislation, New Deal government organizations like the Tennessee Valley Authority, the packing of Federal courts, towering business figures, greedy villains, and the crying needs of farmers and other rural citizens desperate for services critical to their daily lives, John A. Riggs has chronicled democracy's greatest balancing act of government intervention with private market forces. Here is the tale of how FDR's efforts brought affordable electricity to all Americans, powered the industrial might that won World War II, and established a model for public-private solutions today in areas such as transportation infrastructure, broadband, and health care.
Praise for High Tension
"The little known but captivating story of electricity is at the heart of the New Deal. John A. Riggs is the perfect person to tell the tale." ―Walter Isaacson, author of The Innovators, Leonardo da Vinci, and Steve Jobs
"[A] lucid and compelling tale. This is a fresh angle of vision on one of the most important and under-appreciated stories of the first half of the 20th century." ―Jonathan Alter, author of The Defining FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope
"An innovative history of the chaos and conniving that created America's transformative electricity system. . . . A compelling read. Thoroughly researched and gracefully written. . . . A must for historians, it is also a gripping read for all." ―Martin J. Sherwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning co-author of American The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
"[A]n exhaustive look at President Franklin Roosevelt's multipronged war against the private utility sector. . . . Riggs dives deep into the legislative, judicial, and public opinion battles over Roosevelt's energy initiatives, including the Tennessee Valley Authority, and argues that the hybrid public-private system that emerged in America was critical to the nation's "economic global supremacy" during and after WWII. . . . [T]his authoritative account is a valuable resource for students of America's energy policy." ―Publishers Weekly
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2020
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381 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 7, 2021
A great book, providing a fair and detailed history of the rural electrification initiatives during and after FDR’s New Deal. By centering the story on rural electrification the author, experienced power and environmental policy expert John Riggs, gives us a great case study of multiple interesting and relevant topics. He is able to examine the public vs private investment debate that was central to the New Deal concept, he gives examples of major policy implementation in the face of strong multi-sided opposition, and he looks at the political methodology of FDR in his first two terms. The story is about electrification, but the book is really a lessons learned on infrastructure development within the unique American environment. The author starts by giving a quick history of utilities and explains how, by the 1930s rural areas were significantly behind urban areas in their availability of electricity. The market forces did not exist for the commercial sector to tap the great natural resources of America’s rivers nor bring electricity to the poor farmlands of the depression era. Riggs presents the three ways FDR delivered on his campaign promise to bring electricity to rural America and overcome the static environment created by the private market. At the center is the TVA and it’s battle against the southern utilities. Riggs shows that the major American figures, such as Wendell Wilkie, Arthur Lilienthal, and George Norris, who dominated the New Deal used just as much politics and incitement as we see today. The Columbia River dams, the other major construction projects covered by Riggs, not being as singularly focused as those along the Tennessee demonstrate a different method from the centrally planned TVA. Finally Riggs outlines the Rural Electrification Authority, the small but proactive agency which used government financing and legal support to increase the market for rural electrification and thus cause a bottom up approach for commercial development. Riggs ends with showing how this work by public organizations in the 1930s allowed a healthy springboard into America’s WWII industrial power needs. A great book for anyone interested in better understanding how the seam between public and private provision of services will always be in tension, but how it can also bring out the best of both systems. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand policy implementation during the New Deal.
April 3, 2022
I really didn't want to read this book before it was foisted upon me by a well-meaning friend. I got to reading most of it in serious curiosity about why it was such a tough battle. It seemed at times that FDR's government was out to destroy all competition by whatever means necessary. His executive branch created departments to build dams (electric generators) creating a distribution problem and pricing competition. Congress got in on it to level corporate pyramids. Even the Supreme Court ruled in favor of this collusion. Finally, it seems, all private enterprise building on Edison's inventions was decimated (if I read carefully enough to understand it all).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2023
I stumbled upon this title when searching for a history of power lines - I'm fascinated by the power lines through mountain ranges. This title focused on the history of electric utilities, but the history was compelling and I really enjoyed it. History continues to repeat itself: owners of privately-held utilities cried "socialism" whenever public utilities are contemplated. Yet another reason for FDR's greatness.
February 22, 2021
Very detailed
Everything you need to know about how our current power grid came into existence. This is incredibly detailed about the beginnings and the federal government’s involvement in the electric companies we know today. The chapters were very long and fairly boring because no stone was left unturned.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
Everything you need to know about how our current power grid came into existence. This is incredibly detailed about the beginnings and the federal government’s involvement in the electric companies we know today. The chapters were very long and fairly boring because no stone was left unturned.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
February 22, 2021
A enjoyable read about the REA, TVA and other New Deal programs. It gets a little into the weeds during the court battles but overall does a nice job of putting it into the context of the other major events of the FDR presidency.
September 2, 2021
Lots of political battles to break the power of monopolistic electric utilities and create the space where public power could thrive. We need more battles like this as we move from fossil fuels to clean enery solutions.
November 13, 2022
Book has great utility
Easy to follow narrative about a little known aspect of the New Deal. It is hard to believe now how important an issue electricity was in the '30's. It gives you an idea about how a utility magnate could achieve the notoriety to be nominated for President.
Easy to follow narrative about a little known aspect of the New Deal. It is hard to believe now how important an issue electricity was in the '30's. It gives you an idea about how a utility magnate could achieve the notoriety to be nominated for President.
August 25, 2021
Too much progressive and far left point of view.
September 20, 2021
This book gives special attention to one of the most important and successful new deal programs.
June 13, 2025
Great overview
July 10, 2022
Actual rating: 3.5.
My rationale for picking up this book was mostly work-related, but Riggs gives you a good case study of how the federal government should (I believe) step up, when business and the private sector fails the wider American society. Apart from that, this also serves as an examination of the rise of Wendell Willkie as a player in American politics, though I'd probably prefer to read a dedicated biography of the man.
My rationale for picking up this book was mostly work-related, but Riggs gives you a good case study of how the federal government should (I believe) step up, when business and the private sector fails the wider American society. Apart from that, this also serves as an examination of the rise of Wendell Willkie as a player in American politics, though I'd probably prefer to read a dedicated biography of the man.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews