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FDR #1
FDR: The Beckoning of Destiny 1882-1928
In this extraordinary biography, Roosevelt's life is set against the backround and events of almost half a century to show how the man and his career were shaped by the world in which he lived.
936 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 8, 2017
The most surprising thing about this biography is that, from an early age, Franklin Roosevelt and many of those who surrounded him knew he would be President. Although always a sub-par student, a middling intellect, a lackadaisical worker, a seemingly normal Hudson-Valley aristocrat, Franklin's family offered him an entree into politics and power like few other Americans, and he chose to grab it. Roosevelt's aged father was a wealthy Democratic Party backer, friendly with President Grover Cleveland, who himself told a young Franklin that he shouldn't strive for the presidency. The more surprising thing, of course, is that Cleveland matter-of-factly thought this six year-old harbored such ambitions.
Most important to Roosevelt's future, however, was the fact that his fifth cousin, Theodore, from the Republican Oyster-Bay Roosevelts, became President just when Franklin started at Harvard University. It made the young man a mini-celebrity almost overnight. When Franklin organized a drive for relief of the Boers in South Africa, one Boston paper wrote that "Young Roosevelt has many of the qualities that have put his uncle at the front." Roosevelt used his connection to Theodore to break a scoop at the Harvard Crimson that the President was coming to campus, which led to him being appointed editor of the paper . He married Theodore's niece, Eleanor, with the President himself handing her off. He later followed Theodore's footsteps exactly by becoming Assistant Secretary of the Navy under Woodrow Wilson. The press joked that his cousin Theodore had started the Spanish-American War in that position, so his superiors should be wary. Franklin joked too that he would try to maintain his cool (even though he almost tried to start a war with Mexico in 1914).
This story would seem to justify Walter Lippman's later portrayal of Roosevelt as merely "a pleasant man with no particular qualifications who would very much like to be President." Yet the author shows there was always more to Roosevelt than the public knew or imagined. There was an iron will, an uncommon sense of public duty, a preternatural ease among people of all types and classes, and a relentlessly sunny disposition that allowed him to surmount all obstacles. As his son James said, Roosevelt's drive to conquer polio after 1921 didn't develop these traits, it merely demonstrated them. It proved to all around him that there was more mettle to the man than was apparent at first glance.
At times this biography touches the poetic heights at which it aims. There are moments of stunning writing here, especially in Franklin Roosevelt's triumph over polio, but far too much is taken to long-winded bloviating to justify all 900 pages, which takes us only to FDR's election to the New York governorship. I wanted more substance and a less analysis, but I'm still going to read the next one in the series.
Most important to Roosevelt's future, however, was the fact that his fifth cousin, Theodore, from the Republican Oyster-Bay Roosevelts, became President just when Franklin started at Harvard University. It made the young man a mini-celebrity almost overnight. When Franklin organized a drive for relief of the Boers in South Africa, one Boston paper wrote that "Young Roosevelt has many of the qualities that have put his uncle at the front." Roosevelt used his connection to Theodore to break a scoop at the Harvard Crimson that the President was coming to campus, which led to him being appointed editor of the paper . He married Theodore's niece, Eleanor, with the President himself handing her off. He later followed Theodore's footsteps exactly by becoming Assistant Secretary of the Navy under Woodrow Wilson. The press joked that his cousin Theodore had started the Spanish-American War in that position, so his superiors should be wary. Franklin joked too that he would try to maintain his cool (even though he almost tried to start a war with Mexico in 1914).
This story would seem to justify Walter Lippman's later portrayal of Roosevelt as merely "a pleasant man with no particular qualifications who would very much like to be President." Yet the author shows there was always more to Roosevelt than the public knew or imagined. There was an iron will, an uncommon sense of public duty, a preternatural ease among people of all types and classes, and a relentlessly sunny disposition that allowed him to surmount all obstacles. As his son James said, Roosevelt's drive to conquer polio after 1921 didn't develop these traits, it merely demonstrated them. It proved to all around him that there was more mettle to the man than was apparent at first glance.
At times this biography touches the poetic heights at which it aims. There are moments of stunning writing here, especially in Franklin Roosevelt's triumph over polio, but far too much is taken to long-winded bloviating to justify all 900 pages, which takes us only to FDR's election to the New York governorship. I wanted more substance and a less analysis, but I'm still going to read the next one in the series.
December 1, 2008
Vol. 1 of a massive, never completed biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A well researched "life and times" approach. Davis is favorable toward his subject, but not afraid to criticize when he feels criticism is warranted. He also gives a lot of sympathetic attention to Eleanor's story. Davis writes well and is engaging to read, though occasionally the prose gets a little too purple for my taste.
July 28, 2024
Overall really enjoyed the way that Davis writes. However, as other reviewers have mentioned, he does offer a lot of unnecessary analysis and often convoluted background on subjects only peripheral to Roosevelt. When he does write about Roosevelt and the people in his life is where I feel Davis to be best, as he vividly describes the personalities key to Roosevelt’s life.
May 19, 2021
Well done
August 11, 2011
The first of a five volume biography of Roosevelt. Full of fascinating details often omitted from shorter bios. Long, and slow -- but worth it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews