Franklin D. Roosevelt

A Political Life

By: Robert Dallek

Narrated by: Rick Adamson

Named a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post and NPR

“We come to see in FDR the magisterial, central figure in the greatest and richest political tapestry of our nation’s entire history” —Nigel Hamilton, Boston Globe

“Meticulously researched and authoritative” —Douglas Brinkley, The Washington Post

“A workmanlike addition to the literature on Roosevelt.” —David Nasaw, The New York Times

“Dallek offers an FDR relevant to our sharply divided nation” —Michael Kazin

“Will rank among the standard biographies of its subject” —Publishers Weekly

A one-volume biography of Roosevelt by the #1 New York Times bestselling biographer of JFK, focusing on his career as an incomparable politician, uniter, and deal maker

In an era of such great national divisiveness, there could be no more timely biography of one of our greatest presidents than one that focuses on his unparalleled political ability as a uniter and consensus maker. Robert Dallek’s Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Political Life takes a fresh look at the many compelling questions that have attracted all his biographers: how did a man who came from so privileged a background become the greatest presidential champion of the country’s needy? How did someone who never won recognition for his intellect foster revolutionary changes in the country’s economic and social institutions? How did Roosevelt work such a profound change in the country’s foreign relations?

For FDR, politics was a far more interesting and fulfilling pursuit than the management of family fortunes or the indulgence of personal pleasure, and by the time he became president, he had commanded the love and affection of millions of people. While all Roosevelt’s biographers agree that the onset of polio at the age of thirty-nine endowed him with a much greater sense of humanity, Dallek sees the affliction as an insufficient explanation for his transformation into a masterful politician who would win an unprecedented four presidential terms, initiate landmark reforms that changed the American industrial system, and transform an isolationist country into an international superpower.

Dallek attributes FDR’s success to two remarkable political insights. First, unlike any other president, he understood that effectiveness in the American political system depended on building a national consensus and commanding stable long-term popular support. Second, he made the presidency the central, most influential institution in modern America’s political system. In addressing the country’s international and domestic problems, Roosevelt recognized the vital importance of remaining closely attentive to the full range of public sentiment around policy-making decisions—perhaps FDR’s most enduring lesson in effective leadership.

hagiographical account of FDR is peace and in war

Dallek cannot deny that FDR did all he could to manipulate events to get the US into the war, that he did too little to get Great Britain to give up her colonies, and how the depression dragged on throughout the 30s. Yet he praises Roosevelt whenever and however he can. Google the "Greer sinking" for a taste of what he missed.

much more about Roosevelt than i ever knew

As a young child I remember listening to some of Roosevelts fireside chats, and later became an ardent admirer, great book that supplies new information, the world would have been very different had he lived..highly recommend.

A good view of FDR as a political person

Having not read any of the biographies of FDR, D K Goodwin et al, I.have a limited view, but one supplemented by several more focused accounts, WWII management, the depression mostly critical accounts. In sum FDR really does come off as the third great president.

Amazing President!!

The narrative was well done. FDR was a remarkable President. His disability did not impede his accomplishments.

Written by a Roosevelt admirer lacking insight

With the many books written on Roosevelt I feel that this one most likely didn't need to be written. Rather than display the facts and give you a full presentation of Roosevelt's life I feel like the author was a Roosevelt fan boy who wanted to display a full picture but thought that Roosevelt could do no wrong and was justified in some of his shady dealings.