FDR's Folly

How Roosevelt and His New Deal Prolonged the Great Depression

By: Jim Powell

Narrated by: William Hughes

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Think FDR was a great president? Think again.

In the minds of historians and the American public alike, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was one of our greatest presidents, not least because he supposedly saved America from the Great Depression. But as historian Jim Powell reveals in this groundbreaking book, Roosevelt's New Deal policies actually prolonged and exacerbated the economic disaster, swelled the federal government, and prevented the country from turning around quickly.

In today's turbulent domestic and global environment, eerily similar to that of the 1930s, it's more important than ever before to uncover and understand the truth of our history, lest we be doomed to repeat it. You'll never look at FDR in the same way again.

©2003 Jim Powell (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Very readable, factual, and insightful - and endorsed by two Nobel Prize-winning economists." (Thomas Sowell, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University)

Excellent, fact-based approach

The author carefully, systematically examines the issues caused by the New Deal. The book incorporates a deep understanding of the relevant data, and was never hard to follow. It departs from the rampant FDR hero worship without becoming a polemic.

The information you never were taught in school

William Hughes does a great job of delivering Jim Powell's message. I'm disappointed I was not taught this information in school. I was taught that FDR pulled us out of the depression. The book proves that America came out of the depression despite FDR.

Very Important

Where does FDR's Folly rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I think this is a must listen or read. FDR is a hero and he should not be. We should learn the lessons he has to offer and not make the same mistakes.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The thugs FDR had on the gov't payroll

A breath of fresh air

Aside from the constant references to Milton Friedman (whom I like and respect as the utmost free market advocate but whose monetary ideas proved to be less then great), this book is simply perfect. It should be read by anyone involved in government, for sure. The bullets in the end should be displayed all over government buildings.

Good Stuff.

the audio book is split to make the download faster. however they start with chapter 11 and end with chapter 10.

Good listen

It is possible to appreciate the good FDR achieved and understand the negative. The book makes good arguments for its positions. Especially in this era of government overreach.

The truth is finally coming out

Have you ever looked at the amount of money you paid into Social Security and then how much you're going to get older? Thanks compare it to a savings account at the bank. You'll find the interest-rate is negative. When I first did this I was outraged.

That is how I began questioning FDR's policies. This book explains the rest

Some years ago, I read Atlas Shrugged and many of the characters seems like impossible characters. Now I know that some of the thinking and some direct quotes in the Atlas were taken from FDR and his advisors.

This book actually gave me hope because I see how much worse America was in terms of socialism 80 years ago.

The Over-Rated FDR

Great summary of FDR's damaging tenure. Because he is the standard-bearer for today's Left, this book serves as a concise reference for refuting the mistaken policies of our time. A terrific contribution to those who espouse a free society.

The truth about the new deal

This book systematically dismantles the myths surrounding the Great Depression and the New Deal and demonstrates how FDR's policies were counterproductive, prolonged the great depression, and greatly harmed average Americans.

Learn from history

a must read for all of us that have been taught all the wonderful things that FDR did for the country during the Great depression, all the work programs etc. the same folly is being attempted today and the consequences will be similar.