Franklin and Winston

An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship

By: Jon Meacham

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this “beautifully written and superbly researched dual biography” (Los Angeles Times Book Review), Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer Jon Meacham “paints a powerful portrait of the enormous friendship between World War II allies [Franklin] Roosevelt and [Winston] Churchill” (Vanity Fair).

“Intense and compelling reading.”—The Washington Post

Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill were the greatest leaders of “the Greatest Generation.” In Franklin and Winston, Jon Meacham explores the fascinating relationship between the two men who piloted the free world to victory in World War II.

Born in the nineteenth century and molders of the twentieth and twenty-first, Roosevelt and Churchill had much in common. In their own time both men were underestimated, dismissed as arrogant, and faced skeptics in their own nations—yet both magnificently rose to the central challenges of the twentieth century. Theirs was a kind of love story, with an emotional Churchill courting an elusive Roosevelt. The British prime minister, who rallied his nation in its darkest hour, standing alone against Adolf Hitler, was always somewhat insecure about his place in FDR’s affections—which was the way Roosevelt wanted it. A man of secrets, FDR liked to keep people off balance, including his wife, Eleanor, his White House aides—and Winston Churchill.

Meacham’s sources—including unpublished letters of FDR’ s great secret love, Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd, the papers of Pamela Churchill Harriman, and interviews with people who were in FDR and Churchill’s joint company—shed light on the characters of both men as he engagingly chronicles the hours in which they decided the course of the struggle.

Charting the personal drama behind the discussions of strategy and statecraft, Meacham has written the definitive account of the most remarkable friendship of the modern age.

©2003 Jon Meacham (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Jon Meacham's Franklin and Winston takes its place in the front ranks of all that has been written about these two great men." (Tom Brokaw)
"Jon Meacham brings [the relationship between FDR and Churchill] to vivid life, shedding new insights into its strange and poignant complexity, and why its legacy has helped shape the modern world." (Richard Holbrooke)

Brilliant and gripping

Would you listen to Franklin and Winston again? Why?

Yes I would. The author brought out each other's personalities, as well as those of their respective family members.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Franklin and Winston?

The main premise was fascinating. The interpersonal moments were vividly depicted.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Yes

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Gripping

Insightful and so interesting!

Thoroughly enjoyed this perspective on the long-celebrated friendship. It was insightful, well written and offered an extremely interesting and personal perspective on two powerful and dynamic men. I e long been interested in FDR, and this book placed a unique lens on an already well-covered time period of leadership in our country Highly, highly recommend.

Fantastic

Narrator ok
story was informative, learned a lot of behind the scenes, Meacham ..best informing writer

A wonderful, less-told account of WWII

A wonderful tale of the friendship and working relationship between two of most formidable men in world history. A view of World War II through a lens lesser told. I have a newfound appreciation for Churchill’s oratory.

Unique

Deep. Very deep. Uniquely done and makes you think more beyond just the normal war and fight stories. If into world war history this should be added to see a humanistic style of leaders especially during ww2. Makes you see where and how and why the US is what it is today as well as Britain. Canning of Winston shows how they feel today and FDRs commitment to trying to balance the isolationism vs battling evil embraces how the US is now the dang “global police” (which I dislike and would have fit into a US isolationist at the time, however after seeing the end, I understand that it was necessary and the Cold War was then basically “necessary”

The truth about democracy

all politicians and would be politicians should read this and as
spire to be like these Giants

Of the 20th century

excellent

loved it. great insights to both men. worth the time and the credits or money

Outstanding

Wonderful. Collection of stories based on letters written by two great leaders of their time.

Very well done

These two giants-despite all their idiosyncrasies, held the western world together. You should never forget that. It's not hyperbole and our world would not exist if they hadn't been up to the task.

Born in February 1943

This book parallels the storyline in "1940". It provides insight into the world my parents lived in. My Dad was in N Africa, Italy and France 1944/45. These men's decisions impacted my parents lived profoundly.