FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, The Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt [Hardcover]

Julie M. Fenster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2009

In 1921, Franklin Delano Roosevelt—the 1920 vice presidential candidate on the losing Democratic ticket—was overcome by an illness that left him unable to walk. He retired to his family estate in Hyde Park with his wife, Eleanor, who was suffering emotional problems of her own. For the Roosevelts, it was the low point of their lives. At that juncture, Roosevelt’s advisor, Louis Howe, moved in with them, leaving his own family behind. Howe set to work to lift Roosevelt’s spirits and maintain his connection to the world of politics. At the same time, he encouraged Eleanor to develop the self-esteem that would allow her to realize her full potential. Three years later, against all expectations, FDR was once again a key player on the national political stage and Eleanor had blossomed into the public figure we all know and love.

With her signature insight and wit, Julie Fenster presents a vivid, behind-the-scenes portrait of the world of the Roosevelts during this critical time, and the unique relationship Franklin, Eleanor, and Louis developed. Ultimately, Fenster shows that Louis Howe was the true mastermind behind Franklin Roosevelt’s resurgence, helping him to overcome terrible odds and fulfill his great destiny.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for FDR's Shadow:

 

"A well-written, thoroughly researched account of the complex relationship between the Roosevelts and Howe."--The Oklahoman

"This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal."— Jay Freeman, Booklist

"Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents." -- Library Journal

 

"This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of the London Daily, Sunday Telegraph, and Spectator, and author of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon.

“Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods. FDR’s Shadow is a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings.” --Douglas Brinkley, author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America.

"Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century.  Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace."--Sean Wilentz, Princeton University, and author of The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln

"FDR’s Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt provides insights and analyses that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the political landscape of that seminal period of American history." --Claude R. Marx, Boston Globe

 

"Indeed every member of both houses of the Congress has at least one "dragon-at-the-gate" who rations access to the boss, who edits the speeches, and keeps a check on promises that cannot be kept.  But the Howe-Roosevelt symbiotic relationship is a darker story and Ms. Fenster brings a new depth to it."  --Washington Times

 

About the Author

Julie M. Fenster is the critically acclaimed author of The Case of Abraham Lincoln and co-author with Douglas Brinkley of the New York Times bestseller Parish Priest and the PBS documentary Faith and the Founders of America. Fenster’s previous books include the award-winning Ether Day and Race of the Century. She lives in Central New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (October 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0230609104
• ISBN-13: 978-0230609105
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( R ) > Roosevelt, Franklin D.
  • #44 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( R ) > Roosevelt, Eleanor

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most interesting book delightfully written, August 11, 2009

By 

Dr. J. J. Kregarman (Denver, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, The Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt (Hardcover)

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One of the great advantages of the Vine program is that one is, at times, encouraged to become aware of most excellent writers and important bits of history. This is one of those times. Julie M. Fenster is one of those writers and this is one of those books. Louis Howe surely had a tremendous influence on American history as he more than any other Democrat, even Roosevelt himself, was responsible for FDR's election to the presidency and Eleanor Roosevelt's political, public blossoming. But the scope of this book is broader than just Howe's biography. Julie Fenster paints a marvelous picture of the New York political world in the early part of the twentieth century and illuminates Roosevelt's life during those times. A great read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Perspective on The Roosevelt Team, September 4, 2009

By 

James Gallen (St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, The Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

"FDR's Shadow" tells the unusual story of the relationship between FDR and Louis Howe and their families. Louis Howe was one of those cheer leaders, sounding boards, a general right hand men needed by any highly successful politician. Howe grew up as the asthmatic son of an upstate New York Democratic newspaper editor who gave Louis an introduction to his vocation, journalism, and his passion, politics. It was on his beat of reporting on the New York legislature that Howe met then State Senator Franklin D. Roosevelt. They established a working relationship which continued when Roosevelt took Howe to Washington upon Roosevelt's assumption of the position of Assistant Secretary of the Navy. In FDR's 1920 campaign for vice-president it was Howe who had to keep the candidate focused on his audience and his goals. It was during this campaign that Howe began mentoring Eleanor Roosevelt as she emerged from her cocoon and blossomed into a campaign partner and a leader among Democratic women.

Howe's role in the Roosevelt household transformed in 1921when Franklin was stricken with polio. Eleanor sent for Howe who immediately left Washington for Campobello. From this day forward, Howe would be a part of the Roosevelt household and an occasional visitor to his own.

In what today would be called crisis management, Howe assumed direction of the medical treatment, access to the cottage and, eventually, FDR's transportation back to New York. In the years that followed it was Howe who kept Franklin and Eleanor focused on his rehabilitation and return to the world of politics. Howe's total dedication to FDR was illustrated by the time spent with Franklin making and racing model boats, while excluding their own sons from this pass time. It was Howe who kept the dream of the White House alive.

Throughout the twenties, a peculiar triangle developed between Eleanor, Franklin and Louis. Eleanor and Franklin would never vacation together nor could they share their confidences as they journeyed into an uncharted world. They each found their confidant in Louis, who found his family in Eleanor and Franklin, even as he distanced himself from his own family.

In the chapters of this book, the reader follows FDR as he returned to public life with his highly acclaimed nomination of Al Smith for President in 1924, his narrow election as governor of New York in 1928 and the careful staking of the White House, culminating in Roosevelt's election in 1932. The stories continued until Howe's death on April 18, 1936.

Despite all that I have written, this book is primarily about the life and career of Franklin D. Roosevelt and, secondarily, about Eleanor. I have studied extensively about FDR but I still learned much about him and Eleanor from this book. It draws the reader's attention to Eleanor's development into a political force in her own right. After reading this book I suspect that, had she been First Lady fifty years later, Eleanor, not Hillary, would have been the first First Lady to make a serious run at the White House in her own name. Any book about a much covered life, such as FDR's, has to offer something new to justify its publication. This book passes that test. While introducing, or reacquainting the reader with the anecdotes of Franklin's life, it brings out details which are overlooked in other books. What makes this book special is its description of the role of the catalyst that made the elements of the Roosevelt world react as they did. It will help any reader achieve a deeper understanding of the unique Roosevelt team.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The force that shaped FDR, August 27, 2009

By 

Mary G. Longorio "Texasbookgirl" (Eagle Mountain, UT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, The Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt (Hardcover)

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Very few if any biographies of Franklin Roosevelt fail to mention his friend and supporter Louis Howe. Howe was also responsible; in part, for the emergence of Eleanor Roosevelt's emergence as a political presence, allowing her a way to still engage with FDR following his infidelity and betrayal. Although Eleanor was first put off by Howe's bad habits and gnome like appearance, she developed a deep appreciation of his fidelity to both her and Franklin. He encouraged her to find her own voice and to work as an extension of her husband. Louis Howe was not an imposing man, he was of slight build, disheveled, and suffered a myriad of illnesses. His devotion to the Roosevelts was a curiosity and matter of speculation. After meeting FDR in 1911, Howe was convinced that Roosevelt was presidential material and he began to guide FDR's political career. Under Howe's guidance, FDR turned towards the working class (this branding him a traitor to his class} and often was a trusted sounding board for both the Roosevelts. Julie Fenster's FDR's Shadow is a thoroughly researched look into a man once referred to as "most private' of the President's private secretaries". A well researched look into one of the greatest political "king makers".