The Diary of Rexford G. Tugwell: The New Deal, 1932-1935

(Hardback)

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Rexford G. Tugwell's diary of the New Deal era is one of the most important first-hand, primary accounts of the New Deal available. One of FDR's most intimate advisors, Tugwell provides an open account of what went on in the New Deal, particularly in the early days when programs to address the Great Depression were being devised. The diary talks openly about how programs were devised, who was involved, and how FDR reacted. It is very specific about such New Deal Programs as the NRA, AAA, and the different relief programs, including CWA, PWA, the Resettlement Administration, and CCC. The diary also discusses individuals, such as FDR, Henry Wallace, Hugh Johnson, Donald Richberg, Chester Davis, Louis Brandeis, Felix Frankfurter and fellow Brain Trusters Raymond Moley and Adolf Berle. The diary also provides insight into how Tugwell viewed himself and whether or not he agreed with the individuals assigned to run the New Deal programs. One of the most used sources at the FDR Library, this diary gives a rare glimpse of FDR and how he treated his intimate advisers.

Reviews

Of primary intrest to specialists, perhaps, these are absorbing accounts of the men and the occasional woman of the early New Deal and of their workings. The second version of the diary is especially interesting because of Tugwell's mature commentary.-New York History
"Of primary intrest to specialists, perhaps, these are absorbing accounts of the men and the occasional woman of the early New Deal and of their workings. The second version of the diary is especially interesting because of Tugwell's mature commentary."-New York History

Author Bio

MICHAEL VINCENT NAMORATO is Associate Professor of History at the University of Mississippi. He is the author of Rexford G. Tugwell: A Biography (Praeger, 1988) and the editor of two earlier books, The New Deal and the South (1984) and Have We Overcome Race Relations Since Brown (1979).