The Second Most Powerful Man in the World

The Life of Admiral William D. Leahy, Roosevelt's Chief of Staff

By: Phillips Payson O'Brien

Narrated by: Christopher Grove

Length: 19 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The life of Franklin Roosevelt's most trusted and powerful advisor, Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief

“Fascinating...greatly enriches our understanding of Washington wartime power.” (Madeleine Albright)

Aside from FDR, no American did more to shape World War II than Admiral William D. Leahy - not Douglas MacArthur, not Dwight Eisenhower, and not even the legendary George Marshall. No man, including Harry Hopkins, was closer to Roosevelt, nor had earned his blind faith, like Leahy. Through the course of the war, constantly at the president's side and advising him on daily decisions, Leahy became the second most powerful man in the world.

In a time of titanic personalities, Leahy regularly downplayed his influence, preferring the substance of power to the style. A stern-faced, salty sailor, his US Navy career had begun as a cadet aboard a sailing ship. Four decades later, Admiral Leahy was a trusted friend and advisor to the president and his ambassador to Vichy France until the attack on Pearl Harbor. Needing one person who could help him grapple with the enormous strategic consequences of the war both at home and abroad, Roosevelt made Leahy the first presidential chief of staff - though Leahy's role embodied far more power than the position of today.

Leahy's profound power was recognized by figures like Stalin and Churchill, yet historians have largely overlooked his role. In this important biography, historian Phillips Payson O'Brien illuminates the admiral's influence on the most crucial and transformative decisions of WWII and the early Cold War. From the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and France, to the allocation of resources to fight Japan, O'Brien contends that America's war largely unfolded according to Leahy's vision. Among the author's surprising revelations is that while FDR's health failed, Leahy became almost a de facto president, making decisions while FDR was too ill to work, and that much of his influence carried over to Truman's White House.

“An excellent biography of perhaps the most notable navy officer in American history, and one of the most important, if neglected, figures in World War II history.” (Library Journal)

©2019 Phillips Payson O'Brien (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Compelling.” (Foreign Affairs)

“[A] first-rate biography.... O’Brien recounts [Leahy’s] astounding career in fascinating detail.” (The Christian Science Monitor)

“Whether it's the conferences at Tehran, Yalta, or Potsdam, Admiral Leahy stands out in the iconic photographs, in full uniform, just behind the Big Three. Why, though, was he there, and in so many other places that shaped the conduct of World War II and the early Cold War? As if more impressed by the uniform than by the man, historians until now have struggled to say. Phillips Payson O'Brien's biography at last gives Leahy his due, and in doing so shifts our understanding of the other great figures of that era. We're all going to have some serious rethinking to do.” (John Lewis Gaddis, professor of military and naval history at Yale University and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of George F. Kennan: An American Life)

Enjoyable, but ...

While there is no doubt that Admiral Leahy was a great man with significant influence on national policy, I doubt he actually walked on water.

The author spends a lot of time building up the Admiral by running down other significant figures of the time, primarily General Marshall during and after the war, and President Eisenhower.

The author also uses a lot of supposition: because of x, Admiral Leahy must have thought y, and therefore did z.

He also does not clearly tell us what the Admiral wanted to do as an alternative - for instance he wholeheartedly opposed Jewish immigration to Palestine, but does not give us the Admiral’s proposed solution.

All that being said, I enjoyed the book. There’s no question that Admiral Leahy was a great man with significant influence on national policy, and it’s regrettable that he is not as well remembered as some of his contemporaries.

A truly underappreciated historic figure!

Anyone that thinks they well read on WWII history should read this book. Because of his modesty and dislike for the spotlight, William Lehie's contributions are greatly underappreciated

A must for students of WWII/early Cold War history

It's almost embarrassing that I didn't know whom William Leahy was. Any understanding of American involvement in WWII is incomplete without understanding Admiral Leahy's role. Any biography of FDR or Truman would be incomplete without understanding his role in their administrations. Solid gold.

Splendid history of a forgotten Great Man

While Leahy's contribution to America's war effort during WWII was completely dependent upon FDR's trust in him, Leahy earned that trust many times over. His modesty -- he avoided fame and pushed credit onto other people -- this book restores him to his place. Also, he was wiser than anybody else in his belief that no invasion of Japan was necessary, and the A-bomb should never be used. That Truman, on advice of everyone else, ignored him does not change the fact that Leahy stood alone and steadfast against the tide. And his many accomplishments should be remembered. The narration is superb; Grove knows his business. And Phillips Payson O'Brien is an author to remember.

Little known architect of US policy

I’ve read a great deal about WW2 and Admiral Leahy is often mentioned in passing, but until I listened to this book I had no idea of his significance, particularly to FDR. The author credits him with considerable influence over policy during the war. Truman also valued his advice and for a few years he continued as chief of staff. This is well worth listening to. I did grow tired of the frequent mention of FDR’s mistresses”.

The man nobody knew

This was a fantastic audio.i consider myself a history lover but i never heard of this man.he was so important to the war no one really knew how important he was to the war effort

Important to read

Good book but most of all it was a unique story and perspective. He as a interesting man.

Wonderful Book

One of the best books about WW2 I have ever read. It honors a man who gave everything for our country.

The Greatest American of His Time

A remarkable account a an American hero. A lesson of leadership from a man who sadly is hardly remembered today. A terrific story of a man who came from humble beginnings and led America through it most difficult history.

Sea power personified

Not a topic for contemporary tastes, but the real deal with respect to USA virtue.