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Title: Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom
ISBN: 0297646311
Author:
Conrad Black
Publicate Date: 2003-01
Publish: 2003-01
List Price: Not Available
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest Used Price: $48.64
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| Customer Review: |
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1: FDR an Enigma of 20th Century Politics!
As much as Thomas Jefferson remains an enigma to us all, so does the exploits of Franklin Delano Roosevelt make us scratch our head and ask who was this man? Lord Black has written "this enormous book and is one of the best one-volume biographies of Franklin Roosevelt yet" as described by Alan Brinkley in his New York Times Book Review.
Conrad Black has indeed done his due diligence in the writing of the life and times of this great 20th Century behemoth. Black's prose shows his support for FDR's New Deal policies from Social Security into the Wagner Act. His take of Roosevelt is one of an ultimate politician, whether defending his left wing Keynesian theories or politically aligning support pre-Pearl Harbor to ward off the evils of Nazism. FDR shows all the facets of being the ultimate political patrician. Roosevelt was hell bent of forming all the liberal policies in supporting all the New Deal legislation.
FDR brought on the New Deal, supported the Lend Lease Act, directed the Allied activities along with Churchill and Stalin to win World War II. He indeed dies in harness in 1945 shortly before VE day.
Black goes into the rather austere marriage of convenience to his distant cousin Eleanor Roosevelt. Also he describes Roosevelt's courageous struggle with Polio which he had to struggle for the rest of his life from the age of 39.
This biography gives a rather different look of an American Icon. It states FDR's limitations, failures and of course his great abilities as a leader and as an orator extraordinaire.
This is indeed a good, but rather long read. If you are a student of 20th Century history, please read this book.
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2: F.D.R. man of the hour.
Having grown up in the great depression,I always admired F.D.R.for all he did to try to end it.Churchill said that he was the greatest man he ever knew,and I wholeheartedly agree.I rank him right behind Washington and Lincoln as one of our greatest Presidents.I enjoyed this book so much,I am thinking of reading it again.
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3: FDR: Champion of Freedom
Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom
What can you say? It's a thoroughly researched, skillfully wound tale of a man who has no statesman-like comparison in modern American history. I'm an 'Eisenhower Republican' - though, I fear we're a dying breed - however, remark at the leadership and undying dedication to country this magnificently flawed giant of a president consistently demonstrated throughout the course of his illustrious political career.
It's exhaustively researched and fact packed, to be sure - but will nary leave you wanting to leave this bulky work on the nightstand before dozing off. Whether you agree or disagree with FDR's policies or tactics, this book is never tendentious and should appeal to readers across political spectrum and ideologies....the way a masterful biography should, in this humble history junkies mind.
Fans of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt may want to pick up a separate bio for her life story, as Black certainly does not treat her with kid gloves. However, this book accurately hones in on the key subject - FDR - and Lord Black sticks to his prime subject matter with uncompromising rigdity, a keen focus and honesty.
Bravo. I promise to read more of Mr. Black as a result of this admirable and impressive work.
- Johnny Concannon
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4: It Took a While!
It took a month to receive my book; I was happy with it once it arrived, but the slowness was a problem.
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5: Astonishing brilliant bio of America's greatest president
We would be remiss to not credit Washington with defining the parameters of the powers of the Presidency, but for all intent and purposes, as far as impact is concerned, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the greatest President in the nation, including Lincoln. We must remember that history tends to overestimate martyrdom. As good as Lincoln was, he was never tested in a peace time setting.
Conrad Black has written the definitive and best book on the great FDR, hands down. Far from being a fawning soft sell, "Champion Of Freedom" is very fair, and Black does not hesitate to discuss Roosevelt's shortcomings, as well as his triumphs. It is an incredibly thoughtful read, and the research is amazing.
Roosevelt could, at times, be calculating, devious and even mean, especially toward political enemies. This was fair game, however, and in a world where deceit and hidden agendas permeate every action, Roosevelt simply was a mile ahead of everybody else and played the politics game better than anybody ever had before, or will again.
His concern for the working man, the New Deal and landmark programs like the WMA put America to work when there was none to be had. Some lunk headed conservatives claim he stole the work from industry, but that is pure bull. We have Social Security, the Labor Relations Act, and a great park system because of Roosevelt's domestic programs. As far as a wartime president, his foresight and action was almost divinely inspired, and may well have been.
While critics blame him for Pearl Harbor, Black points out that Roosevelt, who loved the Navy and was Assistant Secretary to the Navy in WWI, would never have deliberately put the men of Pearl Harbor in harm's way as it happened. Rather, he had expected the admirals to be fully prepared for possible attack, and was aghast (albeit privately) at the incompetence shown at Pearl Harbor, which should have been more than able to put up a very good fight against the Japanese attackers. True, he expected war, and knew that the sooner, the better once our armed forces were ready, and that was well underway.
This is just one revelation of a very complex man who was regarded in Messianic proportions by the populace and by the world at large. Black is a master writer, and truly has created a masterpiece worthy of its subject. For serious history and Roosevelt fans, it's a must have.
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