The Roosevelt Presence: The Life and Legacy of FDR [Paperback]

Patrick J. Maney (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520216377 | ISBN-13: 978-0520216372 | Publication Date: September 30, 1998 | Edition: 1

Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only twentieth-century president consistently ranked by historians with the Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln. His leadership in the dark hours of the Depression and the Second World War has endowed him in the eyes of many with an aura of greatness, and his presidency has been the explicit or implicit model for all of his successors, from Truman to Clinton. In this concise biography, Patrick J. Maney provides an original and insightful reexamination of Roosevelt's life and legacy, carefully sifting fact from myth and showing how the Roosevelt legend--for good and for ill--has shaped the modern presidency.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Maney brings cool judgment to bear on the best loved, most hated, most influential, and most enigmatic personality of modern America. . . . A model, compact biography." -- Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., Political Science Quarterly

"Maney's work both demystifies Roosevelt and reminds us of his centrality to modern American history. Deeply informed, elegantly written, and persuasively argued, it stands as a major scholarly achievement." -- Ellis W. Hawley, American Historical Review

From the Inside Flap

"Easily the most thoughtful, politically astute, and historiographically up to date of the many single-volume biographies."--Anthony J. Badger, author of The New Deal

"The most penetrating and best balanced assessment of FDR as political leader and man of his times that has yet been published."--John Milton Cooper, author of The Warrior and the Priest

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (September 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520216377
• ISBN-13: 978-0520216372
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #851,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #68 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( R ) > Roosevelt, Franklin D.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent and perceptive book, August 31, 2001

By 

Louis A. Mandarini (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Roosevelt Presence: The Life and Legacy of FDR (Paperback)

Despite its lack of heft, Patrick Maney has produced a wonderfully balanced and nuanced portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Indeed, Maney's book may be the finest jumping off point for those looking to get acquainted with FDR in full bloom, and not just with the nostalgic, sometimes mawkish, remembrances of politicians.

When it comes to FDR, far too many readers, including a number of other reviewers here, only want to hear about positive aspects: the New Deal, winning World War II, etc. As a professional historian, Maney is not in the business of producing such hagiographies. As such, what we have here is the cool judgment and dispassionate analysis of a writer who is constructing a narrative of the historical record; not someone who is cheerleading for a particular political persuasion. Those who want a softer and friendlier treatment of Roosevelt should look elsewhere.

In addition to Roosevelt's many triumphs, Maney provides great detail about some of FDR's more negative aspects, such the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, or his near pathological secrecy that kept him from grooming a successor. Maney also lays bare Roosevelt's personal peccadilloes, such as his long-term affair with Lucy Mercer.

In the end, Maney has done a fine job of presenting Roosevelt, and he should be commended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegantly written, nicely judged study of FDR, July 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Roosevelt Presence: The Life and Legacy of FDR (Paperback)

This careful, thoughtfully written study of FDR is not a biography but rather an assessment of his character and of his achievements. As such, it is a resounding success. FDR had his blemishes as a politician, but Maney's conclusion is sensible: During an era of extraordinary national crisis, FDR came up trumps. Not only are Maney's judgements of Roosevelt are sound, but his writing style is a pleasure to read.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A confused and error-laden examination, March 25, 2001

By 

Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Roosevelt Presence: The Life and Legacy of FDR (Paperback)

If you are seeking a hatchet job on the greatest President of the 20th century, this is your cup of tea. Maney attempts to paint FDR with a black brush, but makes so many factual mistakes in his narrative, that his attempt is weak and ultimately pathetic. His gross lack of understanding about the causes of the Depression and the impending European crisis are almost laughable.

FDR made mistakes in judgment (attempting to pack the Supreme Court), but he was the quintessential and perfect leader for this country in the midst of its greatest crisis of the past 100 years. Imagine Tom Dewey or Wilkie leading this nation against the Axis powers. Contemplate that one... if you dare!

There are many outstanding examinations of Franklin Roosevelt and this is certainly not one of them. It's a polemic and poorly written attempt to diminish FDR's influence and greatness. It fails on all levels. The only people who would embrace this treatment would be the die-hard Roosevelt haters.