FDR

By: Jean Edward Smith

Narrated by: Marc Cashman

One of today’s premier biographers, Jean Edward Smith, has written a modern, comprehensive, indeed ultimate book on the epic life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

This is a portrait painted in broad strokes and fine details. We see how Roosevelt’s restless energy, fierce intellect, personal magnetism, and ability to project effortless grace permitted him to master countless challenges throughout his life. Smith recounts FDR’s personal battles and also tackles head-on and in depth the numerous failures and miscues of Roosevelt’s political career.

Summing up Roosevelt’s legacy, Smith gives us the clearest picture yet of how this quintessential Knickerbocker aristocrat became the common man’s president. The result is a powerful account that adds fresh perspectives and draws profound conclusions about a man whose story is widely known but far less well understood. Written for the general public and scholars alike, FDR is a stunning biography in every way worthy of its subject.©2007 Jean Edward Smith; (P)2007 Books on Tape

Briography for the General Reader

Jean Edward Smith (Eisenhower in War and Peace, FDR and Chief Justice Hughes, Traitor to His class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt) also published an outstanding biography titled FDR in 2008. I must disclose that I am a fan of Smith’s biographies and have completed almost all of them. This biography is longer than some will tolerate, but well worth the effort. It fully details the split between FDR and ER, the President’s relationship with his children, his handling of the War, his approach to the Depression, and the holding of Japanese US citizens. The most interesting passage for me covered his friendship with Churchill and Lend Lease. Anyone who didn’t live through this American era or in the shadow of FDR, will be more than rewarded for learning about this time in our history. Wade into the book, swim through some pages, and see if you don’t agree. Certainly, Jean Edward Smith has a knack for bringing history in general to the general reader through biography. The narration of Marc Cashman is excellent

a work of considerable merit; dull in places

What did you love best about FDR?

Smith's account of FDR's early years, his family history, the run-up to the attack on Pearl.

What did you like best about this story?

depiction of FDR's character

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

reliable but dull in places

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

FDR: a public life

Any additional comments?

writing was workmanlike but lacked inspiration in places.

Great biography

Loved this. My only complaint is it could have been shorter - the length made it a bit tedious. There was too much detail about people I didn’t really care to know about within politics and way too much detail about polling on each election. However, it did make me appreciate FDR and I even teared up at the end of the book when they announced his death.

It's one of the best biographies I've ever listen

A very truthful, honest, and human review of a man's life that changed the course of this country for the better. He was and will be one of the best presidents of the United States. Also, congratulations to the narrator for his impeccable work.

A great story of a great man.

Sometimes it was too American version of the story telling. But undoubtedly he was a great man in a crucial moment of our History. I recommend Churchill audiobook, that has a longer coverage of the war with much more world perspective.