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Threshold of War: Franklin D. Roosevelt and American Entry into World War II

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Waldo H. Heinrichs is currently a professor of hisory at Temple University. In addition to writing Threshold of war he wrote the highly regarded American Ambassador. Joseph C. Grew. Threshold of war is regarded by many historians as one of the first modern comprehensive reviews of America's entry into World War II. In addition to looking at our entry into the war Heinrichs looks at American foreign policy and history in a broad global context, that examines both Asian and European diplomatic pressures and military strategies. Heinrich wrote his book because he believes that there are many views on how America entered World War II, but that a better understanding, and a more comprehensive look was needed. Heinrich also has a differnt view on how and when America became involved with World War II. He claims that the War actually started before Pearl Harbor with a string of events, starting with the stock market crash of 1929 and ending with Hitler's violation of the Munich agreement, and Japan's invasion of Indo China. Heinrichs also portrays Roosevelt in a very good light in his book. Heinrich uses a narrative writing style that is obviously directed towards the non historian. He presents both his views and his facts in an easy going style that was very enjoyable to read. One draw back however, in my opinion, was that he jumps from one event to another. Over all the book was well written, well researched and very enjoyable. Heinrichs does an excellent job at portraying the tension and problems Roosevlt faced in the months leading up to War. The bibliography is also a wealth of information for history students.

Often historians focus on what happened once the war began. While a reasonable and understandable approach, such an effort fails to analyze in a significant way the root causes of conflict. Only be understanding the slow walk from peace to war can one have any hope to identify the root causes of war, the economic, information, diplomatic, and military tools necessary to avert war or at least make the war as small as possible.

Waldo Heinrichs, if this reviewer is not confused, was a fighter pilot in WWI and a squadron intelligence officer in WWII. Therefore, he is not one of those academics who postulate about war and its causes without any insight into how terrible war truly can be. His biases are fairly well spelled out in the books introduction, but he has written a book that is readable and useful in understanding the slow drift toward war. Indeed, I found many tidbits of information in this book that I have never seen or read in other document.

There are only two negative things that I can say about this book. First, I would have liked to have seen more information on the domestic side. Exactly, how President Roosevelt communicated his ideas and direction to the American people is, perhaps, one of the greatest unanswered questions in historical research. However, this book does have very interesting poll results that show the American people were much more concerned about and will to risk war to address the issues of both Europe and Asia. In this reviewer's humble opinion, most academics fail to understand the close religious (via the evangelical movement), economic (both in terms of big business and itinerant workers - white and Asian), and moral issues that closely tied the average American to pre-WWII Asia. Second, the organization of the book is chronological. This makes it difficult to track themes from the narrative and the reader is forced to keep up with Heinrichs intellect and insight vice having those themes more clearly and repetitively spelled out.

It is a shame the Heinrichs has passed away. It would be interesting to see him expand his book to support his theory that the great depression was the first unalterable step toward WWII.

This is a superb book for both serious historians and those of us who read for pleasure.

There are innumerable books about some aspect of WW II. This book covers only a few months in time when the world was preparing to go to war -- yet nobody really wanted to.

In these days of revisionist history there is a lot of commentary about how FRD was steering us into war. This book, instead, tells of the myriad small steps that led to the world wide war. Well worth reading.