That Man: An Insider's Portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt

by the late Robert H. Jackson, William E. Leuchtenburg (Foreword), John Q. Barrett (Editor)

Robert H. Jackson was one of the giants of the Roosevelt an Attorney General, a still revered Supreme Court Justice and, not least important, one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's close friends and advisers. His intimate memoir of FDR, written in the early 1950s before Jackson's untimely death, has remained unpublished for fifty years. Here is that newly discovered memoir.
Written with skill and grace, this is truly a unique account of the personality, conduct, greatness of character, and common humanity of "that man in the White House," as outraged conservatives called FDR. Jackson simply but eloquently provides an insider's view of Roosevelt's presidency, including such crucial events as FDR's Court-packing plan, his battles with corporate America, his decision to seek a third term, and his bold move to aid Britain in 1940 with American destroyers. He also offers an intimate personal portrait of Roosevelt--on fishing trips, in late-night poker games, or approving legislation while eating breakfast in bed, where he routinely began his workday. We meet a president who is far-sighted but nimble in attacking the problems at hand; principled but flexible; charismatic and popular but unafraid to pick fights, take stands, and when necessary, make enemies.
That Man is not simply a valuable historical document, but an engaging and insightful look at one of the most remarkable men in American history. In reading this memoir, we gain not only a new appreciation for Roosevelt, but also admiration for Jackson, who emerges as both a public servant of great integrity and skill and a wry, shrewd, and fair-minded observer of politics at the highest level.

Genres: History, Biography, Us Presidents, Military History, World War II, Nonfiction, Presidents

290 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rick Rapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Jackson was a member of Roosevelt's cabinet, a trusted advisor, and ultimately a Justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials. His notes and drafts of a book on FDR were not compiled until many years after his death in 1954. In fact, this book was not published until 2003. It is not an easy book to read; much of it is very detailed and specific to situations and issues of the Depression and World War II. As such, it sometimes gets bogged down in its own knowledge and firsthand accounts. But there is a pervasive honesty present throughout. A great admirer of Roosevelt, Jackson was not blind to his shortcomings. Most books about FDR elevate him to a demigod; Jackson treats him as the complicated and gifted man he was. Jackson gave a eulogy at FDR's funeral that is included here. It says a great deal about both men that I felt overcome with emotion reading it and mourning the loss of a statesman who really had the benefit of the people at the root of the majority of his decisions. Few politicians in today's world have the skill and heart of Franklin Roosevelt.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking for a book with information about FDR. This one was interesting because it looks at him from the perspective of someone who worked with him for years. Jackson categorizes aspects of FDR - politician, lawyer, commander-in-chief, economist... It was also a good look at the politics of the time. I ma have to go back and re-read parts when I finish with my Eleanor Roosevelt book in order to really put the time together in my head.

[Mary D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I appreciated its freshness and intimacy. John Q. Barrett did a stellar job of editing and compiling Robert H. Jackson's draft manuscript and notes and then fleshing it out with complementary material from Jackson's other writings and interviews. He also included biographical sketches and notes that were helpful.

[Jennifer Eckel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. I've struggled with memoirs by F.D. Roosevelt cronies, and biographers. This book a memoir with analysis was shortly written before Jackson's death and then forgotten. Unearthed, edited and cleaned up and combined with oral history interviews/transcripts this memoir represents a clear take on Roosevelt by an insider who both admired, and respecte him. Jackson could also see Roosevelt's weaker points, and still remain in the inner circle. I truly enjoyed his take on FDR as sportsman, and martini shaker in chief. This book is a must read for a serious historian of FDR.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mixture of recollections and observations organized thematically. Editor chimes in with comments and pulls from other items in Jackson’s papers. Jackson appears to have been a friend of FDR and enjoyed his confidence and trust in matters. On the other hand, while he was a member of the inner circle from 1938-1941, there are only a couple of passing references to FDR after that. That Man humanizes FDR with this intimate portrait, but also acknowledges that he was to a large extent unknowable and opaque.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all of the FDR books that I read in 2020, I enjoyed this one most. What a personal and deep picture of FDR created by this book. Organized by chapters corresponding to skill areas in FDRs life. Detailed insights from a lawyer who worked for FDR on the court packing plan, lend-lease and others. Extensive quoting from contemporaneous memos. This is not a research product; this is eye-witness testimony. So well done. This book will stay on my shelf while the others have already been passed on. Jim

[Andrea Hagen-Arndt · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been dozens (hundreds?) of books written by FDR. Many reviews including mine think this is one of the best. Written by FDR's Chief Justice and Nuremburg Court Judge Robert H. Jackson, each chapter deals with a different aspect of FDR's personality or policies. By this approach, a vast intepretation of FDR is given by a close personal colleague.
This is just fascinating reading. For instance, Jackson says he doesn't think Roosevelt ever understood Economics.

[Richard Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book iss not a chronological history, but explores FDR in various roles: Commander in Chief, sportsman and companion, lawyer, etc. While a loyal attorney general, Jackson doesn't hesitate to offer criticism. The book was put together by Jackson's son from voluminous notes left behind by Jackson after his early sudden death.

[Bill Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!

[Tim Carswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives good inside details of business inside the white house with FDR.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this at the time of its release after I read a short piece about it in a newspaper. It was billed as the last word on FDR by Robert H. Jackson who had known him intimately. Jackson was involved in the Nuremberg Trials, and wrote this in the early 1950s but it was previously unreleased. I found it disappointing. It was expensive, but quite short, and almost half of it was made up of notes. There were some insights into the great man, but I did not feel that I learned that much about him.

[Bradford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book if you want to know heavily footnoted facts and accounts of FDR's zillion terms in office. I wish he was able to stack the court.