Product Description

The first book on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt′s extraordinary relationship with the King and Queen of England
In June of 1939, just three months before the outbreak of the Second World War, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain paid a visit to the United States—the first time a British monarch had ever set foot on American soil—at a time when American isolationists were opposed to helping Britain fight the Nazis. Their hosts were Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, who honored them with a state dinner in Washington and an intimate sojourn at the Roosevelt estate in Hyde Park, New York, where the King and Queen were served hot dogs at a famous picnic. For the first time, The Roosevelts and the Royals tells the story of the friendship that developed between the two couples—and nations. The book traces the early years and development of all four colorful and complex main characters, and it shows how the challenging Roosevelt–Windsor alliance survived even after the war. Filled with extraordinary anecdotes, some of them shared with the author by the Queen Mother, the book is illustrated with rare photographs.

Will Swift (New York, NY) has written on royal history for twenty years in Majesty magazine and other publications. He curated a New York exhibition celebrating the Queen Mother′s 100th birthday.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1414330 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 384 pages

Review
"...this realistic book will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts." (Library Journal, July 2004)

“…well written, meticulously detailed…a very fine book…” (Royalty Digest, September 2004)

"Realistic...will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts. Recommended." (Revised Library Journal excerpt for Will Swift′s The Roosevelts and the Royals)

"Delicious...engaging...convincing...covers a wide swath of history....you will want to keep reading until it is all gone." (Albany Times Union)

From the Inside Flap
In June 1939, three months before the outbreak of World War II, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain paid a visit to the United States–the first time a British monarch had ever set foot on U.S. soil. At the time, many Americans had deeply ingrained hostilities toward England and American isolationists were opposed to helping Britain fight the Nazis. Their Majesties’ hosts were Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, who honored them with a state dinner in Washington and an intimate sojourn at the Roosevelt estate in Hyde Park, New York, where the king and queen were served hot dogs at a famous picnic. The headline in the next day’s New York Times eloquently summarized: "King Eats Hot Dog, Asks for More."

For the first time, The Roosevelts and the Royals tells the true story of the friendship that developed between the two couples–and nations. It was a friendship that would transform the Roosevelts’ and Windsors’ lives in ways none of them could have anticipated. For many, this event finally marked the symbolic end of the American Revolution and the true beginning of the crucial Anglo–American alliance that continues to this day.

Written by leading royal historian Will Swift, The Roosevelts and the Royals is based on original source materials, including letters and diary entries–many of which are reproduced here–as well as interviews with numerous family members and original comments from the Queen Mother. Telling the story of the Roosevelt and Windsor dynasties from the 1880s all the way up to a royal visit to Hyde Park in 2002, the book traces in riveting detail the early years and development of all four colorful and complex main characters, portraying their rise to power in their respective nations and showing how the two couples’ friendship evolved and grew stronger through the challenges of wartime and beyond.

The author takes us behind the scenes to provide a uniquely intimate account of the shared struggles, private disappointments, public triumphs, and personal idiosyncrasies of the Roosevelts and the royals. We learn of the strong impact King George VI’s 1939 meeting with FDR had on the reluctant monarch and how it emboldened him to be the leader his subjects needed during their darkest hour. We discover how Eleanor and the queen supported each other at vulnerable moments in their lives and how Eleanor’s deepening relationship with the royal family heartened her as she became one of the world’s greatest humanitarians. We also see how the American people played a key role in bolstering the newly widowed Queen Mother’s confidence as a beloved royal ambassador to the world.

Filled with extraordinary anecdotes and insights into the lives and characters of two of the twentieth century’s most influential couples, and illustrated with rare and revealing photographs, The Roosevelts and the Royals is a masterful account of a pivotal chapter in history.

From the Back Cover
Advance Praise

"Fascinating and well researched.... Dr. Swift is the first to concentrate on this unusual subject with such a wealth of sympathetic detail."
–Sarah Bradford, author of America’s Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth: A Biography of Britain’s Queen, and The Reluctant King: The Life and Reign of George VI, 1895—1952

"A splendid addition to our understanding of an extraordinary Anglo–American partnership. Both intimate and expansive, Will Swift’s vigorously researched book is timely, illuminating, and dramatic."
–Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol. 1: 1884–1933 and Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol. 2: The Defining Years, 1933–1938

"The Anglo–American alliance has long been a bedrock of the global order, and Will Swift’s The Roosevelts and the Royals details an important chapter in that fascinating story with warmth and verve."
–Jon Meacham, author of Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship

"Those who remember only that the Roosevelts served hot dogs to the royals will be fascinated by this well–researched account of an historic and ennobling relationship–a great story!"
–James MacGregor Burns, author of The Three Roosevelts: Patrician Leaders Who Transformed America and Roosevelt: Soldier of Freedom

"A gripping account of four very different lives that were woven together to change the world in wartime."
–Hugo Vickers, author of Cecil Beaton and Alice: Princess Andrew of Greece

"Written in fluid and lucid prose, this book is not only eminently readable but also historically illuminating. It explores the contrasting personalities of the four main protagonists with skill and insight and it is both convincing and refreshingly candid."
–Brian Roberts, author of Randolph: A Study of Churchill’s Son and Cecil Rhodes and the Princess

"This book brings to life my grandmother and her royal friends. Reading it, I found myself reliving the times I shared with them. A wonderful story."
–Nina Roosevelt Gibson, Ph.D., psychologist and granddaughter of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt