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.
"words of author: Religion as crutch for weak, 1912 split of republican conservatives and progressives, dems sought fdr, love to campaign, inherit wealth via mother Sara who withheld when affair with Lucy Mercer after many children with Eleanor, a cold war in family, Cox/fdr loss in 1920 of 16M vs 9M votes, support for BSA in 21, polio typ includes mental depression, distrusted Macarthur, in 32: farm program Morgenthau imposed central planning with no input from farmers (who desired products marketed overseas and lower interest rates), deceitful in gold standard changes, Natl Economic Planning based on model of war board, sweater example was poor as fdr believed in govt planning and price fixing, until supreme court stopped some 600 codes with 400 code violations in prosecution, demonized opponents, hundreds of thousands against court packing plan of fdr, believed there was an economic recovery yet unemployment numbers do not validate, first chat in march 36, believed Acts should protect people and secure prosperity for people verses individual liberty, people disapproved court restacking 59%, young new dealers in admin and Keynes believed more govt spending vs conservative dems who said to balance budget in 37, then a roosevelt recession/democrat depression in 37, too many unknowns cratered economy to worse level in 37 than 29, unknowns despite govt planning of economy, weak response to Japan attack of US ship in China, failed to help Ethiopians crushed by fascism, 37 spanish war was first use of bombing of civilians by nazis, fdr did not know if hitler bluffing in 38 despite previous actions in Austria and with jewish citizens, then there was Czech sell-out, and still was soft and non-supportive of France and Britain allies until after nov 40' re-election, a soft response to tyrants emboldens them, fdr meek letters of hope to hitler, destroyers to Britain after election, promise to not send boys disingenuous, Churchill encouraged fdr to do firm message to Japan at Atlantic conf in 41 yet a weak hopeful message was given by fdr which triggered the replacement of Japan's admin, no mention of internment of Americans nor of Holocaust tragedy underway by hitler in late 30's, thus, what would a strong leader have done."
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Don (4 out of 5 stars)