Concise and refreshingly balanced, this history portrays FDR as he confronted crises of epic proportions during his record 12-year tenure as our nation's chief executive. McJimsey gives a fresh account of Roosevelt's landmark administration and offers a new perspective on the New Deal. 12 photos.

Born into a family of tremendous wealth and power, FDR was stricken with polio at age 39 yet went on to lead the nation through two of its greatest challenges, the Great Depression and World War II. Allan Winkler looks at Franklin D. Roosevelt's achievements and failures and immerses readers in the personal and political sides of one of the twentieth century's most important figures. Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Making of Modern America places FDR solidly in the context of twentieth-century American reform, liberalism and the birth of the welfare state. Taking a close look at The New Deal, World War II and emerging technology, Winkler shows how FDR's actions and ideas significantly influenced the course of American history and national life.

In "Franklin Delano Roosevelt", Gerald D. Nash presents Roosevelt's own words, the views of contemporaries, and analyses in retrospect by leading historians and political observers to create a three-fold perspective. Called humanitarian by his champions, opportunist by his competitors, and dictator by his enemies, Franklin Delano Roosevelt remains one of the most controversial figures of our age. Through Roosevelt's correspondence and speeches, reminiscences by his contemporaries, and appraisals by present-day historians, a full portrait of FDR emerges -- as adolescent, student, husband, father, socialite, statesmen and invalid, and as world leader whose political and personal impact continues to be felt today. -- From publisher's description.

Building on the premise that the 20th century has witnessed the rise of the `rhetorical presidency,' Ryan parses the public addresses of a master persuader. Overall, FDR's verbal gifts strengthened his hand while enriching the language of American politics. Ryan examines the mechanics of a typical Roosevelt speech, considering such factors as intonation, rhythm, and choice of metaphor, as well as Roosevelt's incomparable body language--these are the best parts of the book. Ryan effectively treats the question of authorship, arguing that although FDR wrote little of his own material, his speeches bore a distinct Roosevelt imprint. . . . Ryan's work makes clear why the packaging of a speech must be considered as significant as its substance. Choice This thought-provoking study makes a unique contribution to the literature on Franklin D. Roosevelt by focusing on his presidential rhetoric. Unlike previous works on Roosevelt, this volume demonstrates how he tried to persuade the public and the Congress, what rhetorical techniques he used, how he attempted to manage the reception of his messages through the press and the media, and what the effect was of his oratorical endeavors. It examines his leading orations on national and international issues, his persuasive campaign strategies and tactics, his four inaugural addresses, and his unsuccessful speeches against the Supreme Court and in the Purge. It further demonstrates how contemporary Americans responded to and received Roosevelt's rhetoric.

"The life and presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt not only epitomized the times of a remarkable individual thrown into the midst of one of history's most difficult periods, but his legacy also helped to define an entire generation and, to this day, continues to impact the course of American politics and history. The presidency of FDR (1882-1945) began during the Great Depression and extended into an unprecedented fourth term that concluded only with his death. Consequently, the amount of literature written about our 32nd president is enormous. Historian Kenneth E. Hendrickson has completed the Herculean task of compiling the most comprehensive English-language bibliography ever on a single individual and his influence. The scope of this mammoth resource is exhaustive. It contains references and annotations to all books, articles, and dissertations concerning Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his life, his presidency, important people, and events written and published to 1994. Nearly 10,000 entries are arranged in nine chapters, each of which focuses on a particular aspect of FDR's life and career. This three-volume set has been designed to provide researchers with easy access to all the books, chapters, articles, and doctoral dissertations written on Roosevelt, his career, his family, his associates, the America in which he lived, and all the major events of his presidency. Save for battle literature on World War II, every important topic related to FDR and his presidency can be found. The author and subject indexes, coupled with the Table of Contents, provide accessible data on any relevant topic. The researcher is advised to begin with the Table of Contents and then cross-reference both topics and authors with the index. This technique will produce a considerable list of annotated references on any desired topic."--Publisher's website.