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Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Audiobook
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A sweeping, magisterial biography of the man generally considered the greatest president of the twentieth century, admired by Democrats and Republicans alike. Traitor to His Class sheds new light on FDR's formative years, his remarkable willingness to champion the concerns of the poor and disenfranchised, his combination of political genius, firm leadership, and matchless diplomacy in saving democracy in America during the Great Depression and the American cause of freedom in World War II. Drawing on archival materials, public speeches, personal correspondence, and accounts by family and close associates, acclaimed bestselling historian and biographer H. W. Brands offers a compelling and intimate portrait of Roosevelt’s life and career. Brands explores the powerful influence of FDR’s dominating mother and the often tense and always unusual partnership between FDR and his wife, Eleanor, and her indispensable contributions to his presidency. Most of all, the book traces in breathtaking detail FDR’s revolutionary efforts with his New Deal legislation to transform the American political economy in order to save it, his forceful—and cagey—leadership before and during World War II, and his lasting legacy in creating the foundations of the postwar international order. Traitor to His Class brilliantly captures the qualities that have made FDR a beloved figure to millions of Americans.
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"Writing any biography of Franklin Roosevelt is a difficult task, as any honest historian will tell you. The man kept no journal, few if any personal writings, and died in office before he could write a memoir. Those close to him, including family and friends, never really knew what he was thinking or feeling since he was not in the habit of sharing such things. As such, Brands did a good job with what he could. Covering such a life, starting with his overprivledged childhood under an overbearing mother, into his stormy marriage to Eleanor, and then on to his political career and eventual rise to the presidency, culminating in his stiding onto the world stage as one of the most powerful and influential men of his time. FDR is a man who doesn't sit still and won't let polio slow him down or stop his ambitions, still with his own flaws and far from perfect. A worthwhile read for anyone interested in this important but enegmatic figure."
— Tom (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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H.W. Brands is a master at finding the essence of an important American life, telling its story grippingly and showing us why it is important to our own generation. With Traitor to His Class, he has surpassed even his own high standard. This judicious and compelling work is the first major one-volume biography written by an historian too young to have lived in Franklin Roosevelt's time. It deserves a wide audience, especially among those younger Americans who need to be told why we all owe so much to FDR.
— Michael Beschloss -
This is a rare book, indeed, shedding new light and brilliant insight upon an elusive subject we thought we knew well. In this elegant, all-encompassing portrayal, master historian H. W. Brands shows us a leader who got the big issues right and, in doing so, forever changed the expectations of the world. Traitor to His Class will quickly emerge as the finest one-volume biography of FDR.
— David Oshinsky, Winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for History -
We live in the world Franklin Roosevelt created, and we can never know enough about him. In this illuminating portrait of the man who proved far more radical than his upbringing would have ever suggested, H. W. Brands has painted FDR in bright and brilliant colors.
— Jon Meacham, author of Franklin and Winston and American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House -
"H.W. Brands has accomplished a remarkable feat in this terrific work. As if he were creating characters in a novel, he has brought to vivid life the central figures in his story--FDR, Eleanor, Sara Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and the inner circle in the White House--while at the same time providing a fresh understanding of the rich historical context for their thoughts and actions at every step along the way.
— Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of Team of Rivals -
If you want to understand how a great president should act, Traitor to His Class is must reading
— New York Observer -
H.W. Brands’s wonderful new biography of Roosevelt…shows the precision and attention to detail that one would expect from a scholar and, at the same time, reads like a novel…it is rich in insights and fresh perspectives that will appeal to the expert and the general reader alike. This may well be the best general biography of Franklin Roosevelt we will see for many years to come.
— Christian Science Monitor -
Very much worth reading.
— The New Yorker -
Impressive...Roosevelt was prepared to be radical to meet dangerous circumstances. Yet his instincts and the outcomes of many of his policies were often conservative. As a radical, he saved the old order--and advanced Ameriacn power more than any president since Jefferson...Courage, charm, resourceful cunning and a hidden hardness enabled him to save American capitalism, though, as he said himself, it was Dr. Win-the-War, not Dr. New Deal, that ended the Depression. Mr. Brands is masterly in describing the patience with which FDR brought the country to understand the danger of fascism.
— The Economist -
The longest-serving president in U.S. history, Roosevelt was arguably the most inscrutable. He kept no diary, wrote no autobiography and unburdened himself to no one. Even his wife had no idea what was on his mind...Brands explains in detail how this ambitious Hudson Valley patrician, the coddled son of an elderly father and dominating mother, managed to defy his family and social class and become the most reform-minded president in U.S. history.
— Washington Post Book World
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A 2009 Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Biography/Autobiography
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A 2008 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Biography
Traitor to His Class Listener Reviews
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" Overall, this was exactly what I was looking for: I knew bits and pieces about FDR's presidency, but not much else about him. This gave a good picture of who he was before he became president, and some of the highlights of his presidency. A couple of things I would have liked to see that it didn't have: (1) More about the non-war stuff in America from 1939 on. Yes, the war was the dominant theme at that point, but there must still have been other things happening, right? (2) More about Eleanor and her role during his presidency, especially during the war; my impression is that she remained a significant figure during that time, even though their personal relations were bad. (3) A bit of an epilogue. The book ends pretty abruptly upon his death; it would have been nice to have a bit of a look at what came next, and how FDR's influence played out after his death. "
— Joe, 2/5/2014 -
" "Traitor to his class" is a balanced look at one of the most controversial presidents in US history. Brands gives FDR credit where credit is due but is also quite willing to place blame where it is needed. "
— Ken, 2/3/2014 -
" A good overview of FDR's life and presidency but a little too long. "
— Linda, 1/30/2014 -
" For any fan of FDR, a must read. Well written, insightful. In these times, also very timely. "
— Paul, 1/17/2014 -
" An excellent biography of a great and complex man. Much of this book reads like a novel. If you are looking for a balanced overview, this is a great choice. "
— Chet, 1/9/2014 -
" This took awhile to finish but I enjoyed it throughout. I know so little about history and this book offered several lessons. "
— Tara, 12/25/2013 -
" Very insightful and well written, with a lot of parallels to today's world, but a long read. I need something light and fluffy to read next. "
— Carolyn, 12/8/2013 -
" Entertaining biography that is neither comprehensive nor particularly insightful. "
— Eric, 11/30/2013 -
" It's great so far, I'll update this when I'm done. "
— David, 11/23/2013 -
" An excellent book - I remember the years of FDR's presidency and now have a much better understanding of them. So well written and hard to put down. "
— Lois, 8/7/2013 -
" A long book, but deserving to a very great man. After reading this book you wonder why Time Magazine got it wrong by not naming FDR "Man of the Century>" "
— Mark, 5/27/2013 -
" I have been trying to read this book since July. It's 37 hours long. I had to restart it two or three times. I finally did it though, and it was really worth it. "
— Kristiana, 4/29/2013 -
" The book was pretty neutral despite the title which is what I was looking for. But I do think the author made light of the negative qualities of FDR. "
— Megan, 4/2/2013 -
" Excellent bio. Brands sheds light on the issues FDR dealt. The parallels between FDR's times and now are pretty evident. He handled it incredibly well. "
— Harold, 11/18/2012 -
" Very detailed and thorough biography on FDR and his times. Like a good, satisfying history class. I finished it just in time for FDR's 130th birthday. "
— Dymphna, 7/20/2012 -
" This massive volume starts off strong and promises to be a readable and intriguing analysis of FDR. "
— Dru, 6/24/2011 -
" It took me quite a while to finish this book I must say, but I'm really glad I did. This was a really good rendering of FDR's time pre-WWII and a great perspective on his New Deal. I liked the author's perspectives even if it took far too long to read this thing. "
— Amanda, 6/15/2011 -
" Well-written and insightful. Brands maintains a particular humanist perspective without getting caught up in too much or necessary detail. I was able to close the book with a better idea of the man, as a man. "
— Jane, 3/20/2011 -
" It took me quite a while to finish this book I must say, but I'm really glad I did. This was a really good rendering of FDR's time pre-WWII and a great perspective on his New Deal. I liked the author's perspectives even if it took far too long to read this thing. "
— Amanda, 3/11/2011 -
" Very insightful and well written, with a lot of parallels to today's world, but a long read. I need something light and fluffy to read next. "
— Carolyn, 2/26/2011 -
" Excellent book. I love Brand's style. He keeps out of the way of the narrative. I was impressed on how he kept the book so short and still packed it with rich detail. "
— Jason, 2/23/2011 -
" Good stuff. Very interesting read...Don't think there are anymore FDR's around, sigh... "
— Tag, 2/19/2011 -
" There is a remarkable similarity between the first 100 presidential days of Roosevelt and Obama. Much of the "big government" remains today. Roosevelt masterfully manipulated people to accomplish his goals. "
— Debby, 1/26/2011 -
" An excellent account of Franklin Roosevelt's life and times. At times reads more like a history book. "
— Joyce, 10/1/2010 -
" great book about the man that served as our longest president of the united states. "
— John, 8/23/2010 -
" A good overview of FDR's life and presidency but a little too long. "
— Linda, 8/9/2010 -
" I have been trying to read this book since July. It's 37 hours long. I had to restart it two or three times. I finally did it though, and it was really worth it. "
— Kristiana, 7/27/2010 -
" Well rounded and dense with facts, this is another good biography by Mr. Brands of a very great president. "
— Ed, 6/24/2010 -
" To analyze:<br/>- FDR<br/>- poor, poor Eleanor Roosevelt<br/>- the writing<br/>:) "
— Kcatty, 6/11/2010 -
" Not interesting enough to capture my attention for 800 pages, but if you really want info on FDR's life, it is definitely here. "
— Jeff, 5/4/2010
About H. W. Brands
H. W. Brands has written more than a dozen biographies and histories, including the The General vs. the President, a New York Times bestseller. Two of his biographies, The First American and Traitor to His Class, were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. He holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin.
About Mark Deakins
Mark Deakins is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator and actor whose television appearances include Head Case, Star Trek: Voyager, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His film credits include Intervention, Star Trek: Insurrection, and The Devil’s Advocate. He wrote, directed, and produced the short film The Smith Interviews.