Product Description

A brilliant and provocative biography of Franklin Roosevelt -written by a leading newspaper publisher and staunch conservative. Franklin Delano Roosevelt stands astride American history like a colossus, having pulled the nation out of the Great Depression and led it to victory in the Second World War. Elected to four terms as president, he transformed an inward-looking country into the greatest superpower the world had ever known. Only Abraham Lincoln did more to save America from destruction. But FDR is such a large figure that historians tend to take him as part of the landscape, focusing on smaller aspects of his achievements or carping about where he ought to have done things differently. Few have tried to assess the totality of FDR's life and career. Conrad Black rises to the challenge. In this magisterial biography, Black makes the case that FDR was the most important person of the twentieth century, transforming his nation and the world through his unparalleled skill as a domestic politician, war leader, strategist, and global visionary -all of which he accomplished despite a physical infirmity that could easily have ended his public life at age thirty-nine. Black also takes on the great critics of FDR, especially those who accuse him of betraying the West at Yalta. Black opens a new chapter in our understanding of this great man, whose example is even more inspiring as a new generation embarks on its own rendezvous with destiny.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #654231 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 1360 pages

KIRKUS
"A staggering work of biography and social history, documenting in exquisite detail... sound, sturdy, masterfully done."

Review
"Conrad Black makes a thorough and compelling case for his view that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the most important person of the 20th Century. Whether overcoming painful physical barriers or leading the country through the Great Depression and World War II, FDR demonstrated the heroic qualities that define the "Greatest Generation" - faith, optimism, strength and vision." (FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON )

"Thoughtful and readable." (HENRY KISSINGER )

"A monument to industry and research, it comprehensively covers the waterfront and it brings in the kind of generous and admiring verdict that might not necessarily have been expected from so partisan a press proprietor." (ANTHONY HOWARD SUNDAY TIMES )

"One of the funniest and cleverest essays in the analysis of American politics ever written, worthy to rank beside the work of Theodore H White or AJ Liebling." (JOHN KEEGAN DAILY TELEGRAPH )

"Monumental and masterful biography... This is a brilliant, scholarly, fluent and stimulating read, rich in detail and anecdote, full of robust opinions, enlivened by dry humour and composed with restraint if not economy... a prodigious contribution to an understanding of the pivotal events of America's 20th century." (RAYMOND SEITZ THE TIMES )

"Black's prose bowls the reader effortlessly along: he seamlessly weaves together the political and personal... a truly splendid achievement." (ANDREW ROBERTS DAILY TELEGRAPH reprinted in the IRISH INDEPENDENT )

"Formidable, well-organised and punchy volume... full, illuminating and fascinating to read.... People will argue about FDR till the end of time. Black has put together a powerful case for the defence which belongs on the shelves of all those who take history seriously." (PAUL JOHNSON SUNDAY TELEGRAP[H )

"A formidable thing.... Black obviously adores Roosevelt." (JAY PARINI GUARDIAN )

"Conrad Black researches and writes with unflagging energy... he marshals a decent narrative... and puts his judgement firmly on the line. This is proper history, tended with proper academic care." (PETER PRESTON THE OBSERVER )

"Conrad Black's life of Franklin Roosevelt is a great achievement and all the more welcome for being more than a little surprising." "A fine achievement for any historian, let alone one who has other calls on his time." (THE ECONOMIST )

"Black is good on Roosevelt the man and on his personal life." (GEOFFREY WHEATCROFT SPECTATOR )

"Emerges as a distinguished historian with a magnificently researched study of Franklin D Roosevelt.... Lord Crossharbour has done us all a service with this masterly story about a great man." (GEOFFREY GOODMAN TRIBUNE )

"Black should be read by anyone interested in America, particularly her contemporary critics, every politician, especially radicals and by politico-theologians... Undergraduates will find the final chapter a marvellous summary for essays without having to read the book. There cannot be higher praise for a wonderful read." (THE HERALD )

"One of the best one-volume biographies of Roosevelt yet.. a worthy and important addition to the vast literature on the most important modern American leader." (NEW YORK TIMES )

"A deft writer who applies to one of the most influential men of the 20th century what he has learned from a career of sizing up people and their ambitions... At 1,280 pages, it's a companion for the long haul -- and an engrossing one, thanks to the storytelling and the pungency of its judgments. Lord Black draws on FDR's papers and archives, various memoirs and the work of Roosevelt scholars ranging from Geoffrey Ward and Kenneth Davis to Doris Kearns Goodwin and Arthur Schlesinger." (WALL STREET JOURNAL )

"Sweeping and persuasive... not only the best one-volume life of the 32nd president but the best at any length, bound to be widely read and discussed." (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY )

"A staggering work of biography and social history, documenting in exquisite detail... sound, sturdy, masterfully done." (KIRKUS )

" A fascintating study of both the large and small issues in this great man's long political career... Grandparents should buy this book to remind themselves of the dangers they faced in their youth: and then they should give a copy to their grandchildren who will learn more about the 20th century than they are likely to learn in school or from Hollywood" (Claus von Bulow CATHOLIC HERALD )

"It's an enthralling read. Roosevelt was a colossal figure and it has taken another massive personality to give him the biography he deserves." (IRISH TIMES )

HENRY KISSINGER
"Thoughtful and readable."

Customer Reviews

An astonishing book about an astonishing man
Conrad Black concludes his 1130 page text setting out seven reasons to support his claim that F.D. Roosevelt was the most important man of the 20th century. His case is convincing and I would neither care nor dare to put forward another name to compete for that position.

Roosevelt was an extraordinary man and Black's biography is an extraordinarily profound work that does full justice to his subject. It is not possible to read this book without being overwhelmed by its depth and breadth. In terms of depth, Black's characterisation of his subject leaves the reader with a feeling of having personally known him or at least of having experienced his years of presidency. In its breadth it provides a detailed analysis of the political and strategic influences that evolved during Roosevelt's 12-year presidency and the astonishing political and strategic influences Roosevelt himself generated. Even Black's characterisations of the (dozens of) other players in the drama - not least Churchill, Stalin, and De Gaulle - are brilliant and incisive. No other book that I have ever read has ever set out so clearly and concisely either the background to WW2 (such as FDR's deliberate provocation of the Japanese attack on the USA) or the sequence of the events that defined the war. Surprisingly (since the book doesn't dwell on Hitler's or Nazi Germany's venality), it presents a clearer picture of their actions and motivations than many other books that are dedicated to the subject.

It would be presumptuous of me to attempt to summarize Black's work or the life described therein. Suffice to say that Black convincingly demonstrates that Roosevelt largely prophesied the world as it evolved during and after the War, and in doing so laid the foundations for the world that we know today wherein the likelihood of another World War is almost inconceivable. All good people of the world owe Franklin Roosevelt a huge debt of gratitude and Black's magnificent tome is worthy reminder of that fact.

It is a reminder too in this less certain age that the world also owes a debt of gratitude to America for creating such a man and placing its trust in him to lead it out of the Depression and then to lead the rest of humanity out of the clutches of barbarism. I am not an American, nor have I been a great admirer of America in recent years, but this book reminds me how great that country was, and how great it can (and must) be again.

Conrad Black is to be congratulated on a most inspired and inspiring book.

Roosevelt: Champion of freedom
This is a long awaited biography on one of the great statesmen of the last century. As a History teacher at secondary level, I find the chapters on the second world war really useful and a good read. I kept going back to the chapters on world war two as they are so well written. I'm writing this review on the 62nd anniversary of Pearl Harbour and what struck me most about the chapter entitled : "We shall never cease...until they have been taught a lesson they and the world will never forget," is the suspense leading up to the attack. There is a description of the decryption and the fact the Roosevelt saw the strategic cleverness of "awaiting events".
Every chapter starts with a well known quote which focuses the reader onto a particular moment in history. The discussions about when and where to start the "second front" starts with a quote from Stalin: "Why are you so afraid of the Germans ?"
There are no surprises that the book shows a warm relationship between the former US warime leader and Churchill, but there are a few surprises awaiting you regarding Roosevelt's relationships with other people !
I have to confess that I skipped some of the early stuff, something to read later maybe. Frankly, the reader is spoilt for choice here. I cannot read it like a novel; I often jump to the exciting parts of the New Deal and unexpected problems associated with it ; WW2 etc.
The writer doesn't pull punches. He tells us that Roosevelt was a poor lawyer who , at best , was half-hearted, but he was a prolific reader and put him in good stead for the correspondence he had to do later in public life.
I recommend this book to teachers, students studying A level Modern History as well as undergraduates. There is far too much for Key Stage 4 students. Anybody who wants to learn about the real Roosevelt, warts and all, as well as find out more about Twentieth Century history ought to invest in this great book.

A great deal has gone into writing this book about a man who brought us all a new deal.

The Champion of Freedom
Conrad Black's book is an excellent biography, which rank among the best political biographies ever such as Duff Coopers wonderful book "Talleyrand" and Geoffrey Best great and commendable short book "Churchill. A Study in Greatness". Black's book is on the contrary very long, but it is highly accessible and he all along gives you great syntheses of his thinking such as "Roosevelt's strategic and political vision was perceptive; Stalin's was exclusively avaricious; Churchill's was astute but nostalgic" (p. 871). It is hard not to agree with Churchill (and Black) that Roosevelt was "the greatest champion of freedom who has ever brought help from the New World to the Old". But I can't agree with Black's wholehearted support of the American strategic view of the European theatre of operations. Michael Howard's conclusion - as stated by John Strawson in his new book "If by Chance" - "that it still needs to be shown that there was a better Allied Grand Strategy than that actually employed stands unchallenged today". The Mediterranean focus in 1943 was an absolute prerequisite for an invasion of France in 1944. Eisenhower should also have adhered to his statement on 15 September 1944. "There is no doubt whatsoever, in my mind, that we should concentrate on a rapid thrust to Berlin". It would have improved the allied bargaining position much more than anything else which Black mention about Roosevelt's idea's had he not died. At least it would have helped the ordinary woman in Berlin. A few spelling mistakes should be corrected in a new edition. Petsamo was not ceded by Finland to USSR in 1940 but in 1947. Rumania went into the First World War in 1916 and not 1915, and the place of Hitler's headquarters was close to Rastenburg and not Rastenberg. In conclusion, I agree with Churchill that he was the greatest American champion of Freedom as you can deduce from the context of Churchill's statement, but not with Black that he was the greatest champion of freedom at all in the Second World War. That was Mr Churchill himself. It was he who decided in the "Five Days in London May 1940" that Britain would carry on the struggle against Hitler. In these crucial days Roosevelt was more focused on the upcoming American presidential election than anything else. Actually, Hitler did more to help Churchill to survive than Roosevelt at that time by letting the BEF escape from Dunkirk by ordering his panzers to stop before Dunkirk.