The History Book Club discussion
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Roosevelt's Centurions
PRESIDENTIAL SERIES
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2. ROOSEVELT'S CENTURIONS - CHAPTER TWO - (p. 27 - 54) ~ JUNE 10TH - JUNE 16TH; No Spoilers, Please
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In chapter 2, p.39 - "The president let almost three weeks go by when his restless imagination hatched another angle." It's interesting to see how FDR worked his colleagues and moved from one to the next, looking for someone who could make happen what he saw as vital.
In chapter 2, p.43 - "But I could never really understand what was going on in there." FDR's mind and personality seemed to have elements of a super computer which always kept people off guard and second guessing what he would think of next. No one really owned him or understood him completely, it seems. He must have been both fascinating and rather unsettling to work with!
Chapter 2, p.47 - "Government includes the art of..." FDR saw himself as having a broad mandate which could include all kinds of means in order that he would arrive at his desired end. An interesting view of politics. Thankfully, during his years in office, the issues were fairly clearcut (unemployment during the Depression, involvement in WWII), and his active mind was put to good use toward those ends.
Lewis wrote: "In chapter 2, p.39 - "The president let almost three weeks go by when his restless imagination hatched another angle." It's interesting to see how FDR worked his colleagues and moved from one to th..."Sometimes it seems like he moves slowly but it's clear when he does he has not been idle. He's been thinking and planning, building his ideas. Interesting.
Lewis wrote: "In chapter 2, p.43 - "But I could never really understand what was going on in there." FDR's mind and personality seemed to have elements of a super computer which always kept people off guard and ..."I wonder if the way he worked and this way he had of keeping people off guard was deliberate on his part. Seems like the hallmark of someone who is only willing to let others get so close.
Jill wrote: "Alisa wrote: "On page 39, FDR approaches his Attorney General Robert Jackson to find a legal rationale to justify sending planes to Britain. Jackson finds a justification which leans on language ..."It is interesting, Jill and Alisa, I think those same concerns about DOJ vs. someone else came up with Truman. The White House counsel office matured under Truman because DOJ had broader issues to consider and they were far from the White House. A president needed someone on the inside to guide him legally.
Well, we differ. I think the President's WH Counsel should advise him personally and the AG has a slightly different function with ultimate responsibility to the people. The AG serves at the pleasure of the President, and it certainly has a political element (how could it not). Maybe I am splitting hairs, I see a difference. In wartime it can easily get muddled.