FDR and Harry: Unparalleled Lives

(Hardback)

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman are two men whose backgrounds were very dissimilar but whose achievements proved to be roughly comparable - became President of the United States. It is, for example, ironic that the wealthy Roosevelt is best known for his social programmes and that Truman, who came from modest circumstances in the Middle West, achieved his greatest success in foreign affairs. This study demonstrates the variety and the breadth of the American experience and provides, in part, a credible basis for the existence of "an American Dream."

Reviews

"A riveting contrast of two politicians who led America during the challenging years of the mid-20th century. Organized around Shakespeare's "Seven Ages" of man, the book details the benchmark stages of their development from "mama's boys" to the military, through politics, to their funerals. Carefully researched, the book brings alive the people who shaped America and influenced the world in their era. Underhill's book brings together in striking parallel, treatment of two men who have been examined separately before, but his side-by-side historical analysis provides insights that are fresh and inspiring."-Paul E. Nelson, Dean of the College of Communication Ohio University
"As one of the few who experienced the very different White House staffs of F.D.R. and H.S.T., I found Robert Underhill's juxtapositions of the contrasting backgrounds, temperaments and careers of the two presidents fascinating and thought-provoking. Underhill is as unsparing in his criticism of Roosevelt's deviousness as he is of Truman's blunt over-simplifications. We are led to ponder: How could such different origins and experiences produce leaders so well attuned to the needs of the nation in their times And what qualities of character should we be looking for today"- George M. Elsey, Assistant naval aide to F.D.R. Administrative Assistant to H.S.T.
"In this fascinating study, Professor Underhill focuses particularly on the contrasting backgrounds, personalities, styles, and character of the two and of those around them. The book should appeal to all who enjoy biography, and particularly biography of those who led America through formidable challenges at home and abroad in the 20th century."- Wayne S. Cole, Professor Emeritus of History University of Maryland - College Park

Author Bio

ROBERT UNDERHILL is Professor Emeritus of English and Speech at Iowa State University. His two earlier books on American presidents are The Truman Persuasions (1981) and The Bully Pulpit (1989).