Book Description

The first political biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Winner of the Woodrow Wilson Foundation Award. “A case study unmatched in american political writings” (Newsweek). Index; photographs.
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Reviews (4)

A Great Political Biography of a Great President
I recently had occasion to re-read James MacGregor Burns's marvelous Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox and was deeply impressed by how well its has withstood the test of time.The early paperback edition of this book, which was originally published in 1956 and covers the period from 1882 until 1940, characterized it as the "first political biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt," and it continues to be the authoritative study of Roosevelt's preparation for and then conduct of his first two terms as president, when domestic affairs demanded most of his attention.This remains a wonderful book about this country's greatest politician of the 20th century, and it also offers many penetrating insights into the American political system.

Burns's treatment of Roosevelt is comprehensive, "[treating] much of [Roosevelt's] personal as well as his public life, because a great politician's career remorselessly sucks everything into its vortex."Roosevelt was the only child of a member of the upstate New York landed gentry, and he could have led a life of leisure.Instead, he was sent to Groton School in Massachusetts, where the headmaster, according to Burns, "made much of his eagerness to educate his boys for political leadership."Roosevelt completed his formal education at Harvard College and Columbia University Law School.Burns writes that Roosevelt's first elective office, as a New York State Senator was a "political education," and he became a "Young Lion" in Albany.Roosevelt served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in Washington, D.C., during World War I and was the candidate for Vice President on the Democrat Party's unsuccessful ticket in 1920.In 1921, Roosevelt was stricken with polio, and the crippling disease would have ended the public career of a less ambitious and determined man.Instead, he continued to work hard at politics, was elected Governor of New York in 1928 and then President in 1932.This was just the beginning of a remarkable career in high office.

Burns makes clear that Roosevelt was a progressive in the tradition of Woodrow Wilson but was without strong ideas or a specific agenda.According to Burns: "The presidency, Roosevelt said shortly after his election, `is preeminently a place of moral leadership.'"Retired Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes offered this cutting assessment: "A second -class intellect, but a first-class temperament."Action to combat the depression was necessary to restore public confidence in government, and the first Hundred Days of Roosevelt's first term was one of the great periods of legislative achievement in American history.Burns writes: "Roosevelt was following no master program." However, in Burns's view: "The classic test of greatness in the White House has been the chief executive's capacity to lead Congress."According to that test, Roosevelt was a great president.Burns writes that, "[i]n his first two years in office Roosevelt achieved to a remarkable degree the exalted position of being President of all the people."Burns explains: "A remarkable aspect of the New Deal was the sweep and variety of the groups it helped."

As early as 1934, however, organized conservative opposition to the New Deal was forming.(A newspaper cartoon reprinted here shows a figure identified as the Republican Party holding a sign stating: "Roosevelt is a Red!")Roosevelt was increasingly attacked as a traitor to his class, but a large measure of his genius was his ability to hold the more extreme elements of the New Deal in check.Roosevelt's political skills were tested in every way.For instance, Burns writes that Senator Robert Wagner's National Labor Relations Act, which proposed to"[vest] massive economic and political power in organized labor" "was the most radical legislation passed during the New Deal."According to Burns, Roosevelt's initial reaction to the bill was "invariably cool or evasive," and the president, with what Burns describes as "typical Rooseveltian agility," announced his support for the bill only after its passage was certain.Burns demonstrates that Roosevelt's support, both in Congress and among the public, gradually eroded in the late 1930s, but he was, of course, elected again in 1940 and 1944.Roosevelt's nomination in 1940 was especially skillful.Many in his own party favored maintaining the tradition of limiting presidents to two terms, and Democratic Party leaders lined up in the hope of succeeding Roosevelt.Roosevelt outfoxed all of them and was elected to his historic third term.

I believe it is fair to say that Burns admires Roosevelt, but this book is not a whitewash.Burns candidly writes about Roosevelt's "deviousness."And the author is appropriately critical of Roosevelt's attempt to "pack" the Supreme Court following his overwhelming re-election in 1936.However, in my opinion, these instances simply are proof of the truism that great men are not always good men.Burns took the subtitle of this book from the Italian Renaissance political philosopher Machiavelli's dictum that a political leader must be strong like a lion and shrewd like a fox.Franklin D. Roosevelt was both, and that made him a great president.This is a great political biography of that great president

Title Says It All
FDR was perhaps the craftiest politician to occupy the White House sinceLincoln.The Title, "...Lion and the Fox" is an allusion toMachiavelli's dictum that one must be stouthearted like a lion and craftylike a fox.FDR combined these qualities to achieve political mastery ofhis time.

This book focus on his life up to the start of WWII.It paintsa thorough life portrait of the president and illustrates the events andexperiences that shaped this master politician.Although enjoyingcongressional majorities like no other president (that certainly aided theimplementation of his program), FDR had to over come the reluctance of bothGOP and Democrat conservatives to rework the federal government into theactive economic and social player it is today.McGreggor's book explainshow FDR the man made the New Deal possible.

This is a well written bookthat gives evidence of being thoroughly researched.For anyone interestedin presidential history, I'd recommend this book.

Decidedly Insightful
Gives a fantastic account of FDR from his privileged childhood and days at Groton, to his harsh induction into the world of politics; the skill at which he maneuvered the political currents to the New York Capital inAlbany, and ultimately the White House. Once there Burns gives an accountof passionate dedication to the American people, both during the Depressionand WWII, that most likely was not seen since Lincoln. A must for anyone'sPresidential Biographical collection.

A MUST for FDR fans!
This is the best account of pre-WWII FDR that has been written.Burns combines established facts with a commentary that examines the 32nd President's possible psychological views on issues.From major decisions during the New Deal to relationships with Eleanor and staff members, Burns paints an objective picture of FDR.The picture is neither rosy nor clouded, but is an intimate portrait of the longest- serving President in American history. ... Read more