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Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR's War of Words With Charles Lindbergh―and the Battle to Save Democracy
A dramatic narrative that brings President Roosevelt, his allies, and his adversaries to life during his fight to transform America from an isolationist bystander into the world’s first superpower.
Franklin Roosevelt awoke at 2:50 a.m. on September 1, 1939 to the news that Germany had invaded Poland, signaling the start of World War II. For years the president had warned that Hitler’s fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy. But the American public remained stubbornly isolationist as fascist sympathizing groups, egged on by right wing media stars promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, plotted to overthrow the president. Newly elected Prime Minister Winston Churchill pleaded with Roosevelt to send arms and supplies to Britain as they fought for their very survival.
The situation was dire. Drawing on his popularity after leading the country out of the Great Depression and his skill as an inspiring speaker, FDR advocated unwavering support for England to a war-weary nation.
Roosevelt quickly found himself facing an unexpected Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator's youthful charm, plainspoken rhetoric, and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he led an aggressive attack on FDR’s policies. Millions listened to his radio broadcasts and attended his rallies. Powerful individuals including William Randolph Hearst, Henry Ford, and members of Congress supported him. The German government provided secret funds to Lindbergh’s Nazi followers as he led the radical America First Committee in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from saving England—and the world.
Awakening the Spirit of America reveals how Roosevelt overcame the forces aligned against him in a war against fascism. As Paul Sparrow, former director of the FDR Presidential Library, brilliantly shows, FDR's triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. Ultimately, Roosevelt’s astute political maneuvers and persuasive use of language to preserve what he termed “the spirit of America” changed history and can still inspire today.
Sparrow brings readers into the rooms where key decisions were made, focusing on the crucial role words, media, and propaganda played in the transformation of America into a global superpower. Awakening the Spirit of America provides a riveting, inside account of FDR’s ultimate victory over American isolationists and provides vital insight into American history and an iconic president.
Franklin Roosevelt awoke at 2:50 a.m. on September 1, 1939 to the news that Germany had invaded Poland, signaling the start of World War II. For years the president had warned that Hitler’s fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy. But the American public remained stubbornly isolationist as fascist sympathizing groups, egged on by right wing media stars promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, plotted to overthrow the president. Newly elected Prime Minister Winston Churchill pleaded with Roosevelt to send arms and supplies to Britain as they fought for their very survival.
The situation was dire. Drawing on his popularity after leading the country out of the Great Depression and his skill as an inspiring speaker, FDR advocated unwavering support for England to a war-weary nation.
Roosevelt quickly found himself facing an unexpected Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator's youthful charm, plainspoken rhetoric, and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he led an aggressive attack on FDR’s policies. Millions listened to his radio broadcasts and attended his rallies. Powerful individuals including William Randolph Hearst, Henry Ford, and members of Congress supported him. The German government provided secret funds to Lindbergh’s Nazi followers as he led the radical America First Committee in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from saving England—and the world.
Awakening the Spirit of America reveals how Roosevelt overcame the forces aligned against him in a war against fascism. As Paul Sparrow, former director of the FDR Presidential Library, brilliantly shows, FDR's triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. Ultimately, Roosevelt’s astute political maneuvers and persuasive use of language to preserve what he termed “the spirit of America” changed history and can still inspire today.
Sparrow brings readers into the rooms where key decisions were made, focusing on the crucial role words, media, and propaganda played in the transformation of America into a global superpower. Awakening the Spirit of America provides a riveting, inside account of FDR’s ultimate victory over American isolationists and provides vital insight into American history and an iconic president.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2024
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July 17, 2024I've always found the "War of Words" between Franklin Roosevelt and Charles Lindbergh to be one of the more interesting sidebars of World War II. Roosevelt, appalled at the actions of Nazi Germany, instinctively wanted to assist Great Britain. Lindbergh, an admirer of Hitler, could forgive the dictator's excesses, and preached isolationism. Both men were enormously popular in America. Yet on this issue they could not be more apart.
I know something about this clash from other readings, but the publication of a monograph on the subject piqued my interest. The thing is, though, two authors were publishing books on this topic this year: this one in June, and another by H.W. Brands in September. I chose this one.
This one was written by Paul M. Sparrow. I may have been a little quick on the trigger. In retrospect, first, there is the absurd title and subtitle. I'll let them speak for themselves. Second, the author was previously the director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. That doesn't necessarily mean that Sparrow adores Roosevelt. But the writing in this book can only be described as idolatrous:
He took the weight 0f the free world on his paralyzed legs and carried America into the future.
That kind of thing.
And he likes to repeat himself. In the penultimate paragraph of the Epilogue, Sparrow writes this: Franklin D. Roosevelt was not a perfect man, nor a perfect president. In the next, last paragraph, he writes: FDR was neither a perfect man not a perfect president. Maybe that wouldn't bother you.
My biggest complaint, though, is that the focus of the book is on Roosevelt, maybe because that's what the author knows. I wanted to know more about Lindbergh. How could someone who had once achieved greatness and reverence, align himself with such monsters. This was more than being wrong. Still, the telling (about Lindbergh) was recounting headlines and speeches, a Wiki-version.
While I wanted more, there was this:
Lindbergh got his isolationism honestly (his father was a vehement opponent of America's entry into World War I). At least part of his antisemitism was a product of the abuse he and his wife took after the kidnapping and murder of their infant son. He believed the media was controlled by Jews. Yet, his antisemitism surely seems more profound than that. I was surprised to learn that his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who has largely been given a pass, was as antisemitic as he was.
There was also this salacious tidbit:
In 2003 there was a shocking revelation that Lindbergh had multiple secret families in Germany, beginning in 1957. Three of his secret children revealed he had fathered seven children with three different women. DNA tests and more than one hundred love letters to their mother confirmed the story.
I think the date, and country, of the adultery intrigued me more than anything. He never got it out of his system.
Lastly:
The name of the isolationist organization of which Lindbergh was the cherished spokesperson was AMERICA FIRST. This was not the first time that phrase was used in American history. Nor the last. Donald Trump has revived the slogan to explain his foreign policy. If such things can be explained. It's his New Deal, if you will. He's been specifically criticized, by those wont to criticize him, that the AMERICA FIRST thing harkens back to the America First Committee that Lindbergh unwisely championed. No, the former president said, he's not an isolationist. I like the expression, he said.
Even now, we are Awakening the Spirit of America: the battle to save the superficial and the shallow.
I know something about this clash from other readings, but the publication of a monograph on the subject piqued my interest. The thing is, though, two authors were publishing books on this topic this year: this one in June, and another by H.W. Brands in September. I chose this one.
This one was written by Paul M. Sparrow. I may have been a little quick on the trigger. In retrospect, first, there is the absurd title and subtitle. I'll let them speak for themselves. Second, the author was previously the director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. That doesn't necessarily mean that Sparrow adores Roosevelt. But the writing in this book can only be described as idolatrous:
He took the weight 0f the free world on his paralyzed legs and carried America into the future.
That kind of thing.
And he likes to repeat himself. In the penultimate paragraph of the Epilogue, Sparrow writes this: Franklin D. Roosevelt was not a perfect man, nor a perfect president. In the next, last paragraph, he writes: FDR was neither a perfect man not a perfect president. Maybe that wouldn't bother you.
My biggest complaint, though, is that the focus of the book is on Roosevelt, maybe because that's what the author knows. I wanted to know more about Lindbergh. How could someone who had once achieved greatness and reverence, align himself with such monsters. This was more than being wrong. Still, the telling (about Lindbergh) was recounting headlines and speeches, a Wiki-version.
While I wanted more, there was this:
Lindbergh got his isolationism honestly (his father was a vehement opponent of America's entry into World War I). At least part of his antisemitism was a product of the abuse he and his wife took after the kidnapping and murder of their infant son. He believed the media was controlled by Jews. Yet, his antisemitism surely seems more profound than that. I was surprised to learn that his wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, who has largely been given a pass, was as antisemitic as he was.
There was also this salacious tidbit:
In 2003 there was a shocking revelation that Lindbergh had multiple secret families in Germany, beginning in 1957. Three of his secret children revealed he had fathered seven children with three different women. DNA tests and more than one hundred love letters to their mother confirmed the story.
I think the date, and country, of the adultery intrigued me more than anything. He never got it out of his system.
Lastly:
The name of the isolationist organization of which Lindbergh was the cherished spokesperson was AMERICA FIRST. This was not the first time that phrase was used in American history. Nor the last. Donald Trump has revived the slogan to explain his foreign policy. If such things can be explained. It's his New Deal, if you will. He's been specifically criticized, by those wont to criticize him, that the AMERICA FIRST thing harkens back to the America First Committee that Lindbergh unwisely championed. No, the former president said, he's not an isolationist. I like the expression, he said.
Even now, we are Awakening the Spirit of America: the battle to save the superficial and the shallow.
November 11, 2025
As often happens in my history reading, after finishing Lindbergh by A. Scott Berg, I wanted more about Lindbergh's work with the isolationist and America First movement before World War II. This is one, a slim (287 pages) but informative account of President Franklin Roosevelt's public battle with Charles Lindbergh written by a former director of the FDR Presidential Library, so it may be a tad biased. But most history I've read now regards Lindbergh's star as fallen and tarnished. And rightly so. There were a few typos in this book but overall an inspiring and humbling account of two influential men and their very different views on the menace of Nazi Germany. I look forward to comparing this to my next read, America First: Roosevelt, Lindbergh, and America's Path to World War II by H.W. Brands.
July 20, 2024
Despite this book being little more than a review of events well remembered by Americans, I admit to being brought close to tears by again reading the stirring speeches by FDR and by being reminded how close we Americans came to being deceived by Charles Lindbergh and other isolationists.
In the current time, we need to remember that falsehoods do not become true by being endlessly repeated.
In the current time, we need to remember that falsehoods do not become true by being endlessly repeated.
June 27, 2024
September 1, 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt was woken up by his secretary to be informed that Nazi Germany had invaded Poland. FDR understood the severity of the situation and wanted to aid Great Britain in their struggle against fascism. However, he had people undermine his efforts like Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh may have been the most famous critic of providing aid to GB, but he was not alone. He had plenty of support in the press and in the government. FDR had to battle these antagonists and explain to the people why assisting Britain was for the greater good.
Paul Sparrow's book was okay. I did not dislike it nor love it. He provides a basic narrative to this time period, so if you want something more in depth, you will not find it here. He also repeats himself at times. For example, he mentions several times that Roosevelt did not like Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain because of appeasing Hitler.
Not a bad read by any means. You get a basic history of that time period. I did learn something new: Germany was paying politicians and others in the United States to undermine aid to Great Britain. This book also reminded me of the debates regarding providing arms to Ukraine in its war against Russia. History truly rhymes.
Paul Sparrow's book was okay. I did not dislike it nor love it. He provides a basic narrative to this time period, so if you want something more in depth, you will not find it here. He also repeats himself at times. For example, he mentions several times that Roosevelt did not like Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain because of appeasing Hitler.
Not a bad read by any means. You get a basic history of that time period. I did learn something new: Germany was paying politicians and others in the United States to undermine aid to Great Britain. This book also reminded me of the debates regarding providing arms to Ukraine in its war against Russia. History truly rhymes.
July 31, 2024
The author of this book did an interview on Sharon McMahon’s podcast and I was so impressed with him that I immediately ordered the book. Having finished it, I can confidently state that he exceeded my expectations with both his writing and the scope of the book. What comes across very quickly is how timely this accounting is of events leading up to America’s entrance into WWII and the rise of domestic fascism at work to promote isolationism and thwart both FDR’s leadership and his commitment to upholding freedom and democracy at home and abroad. The book is brilliantly written and well researched and, while certainly not an easy read, it is written in such a way that welcomes non-academics to dive in. The parallels to current divisiveness has given me much to think about. This is a book I will be heartily recommending to others.
June 29, 2024
Full disclosure: I’m related to the author by marriage.
That said, this book is an amazingly detailed and vicariously engaging behind-the-scenes look at the political fights FDR had to wage against Americans who were anti-Semites, Nazi sympathizers and isolationists who wanted America to stay out of World War II, even as Hitler sought to subjugate the world under the heel of Fascism.
Great companion book to Shirer’s “Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” and Toland’s “The Rising Sun.”
Highly recommend.
That said, this book is an amazingly detailed and vicariously engaging behind-the-scenes look at the political fights FDR had to wage against Americans who were anti-Semites, Nazi sympathizers and isolationists who wanted America to stay out of World War II, even as Hitler sought to subjugate the world under the heel of Fascism.
Great companion book to Shirer’s “Rise and Fall of the Third Reich” and Toland’s “The Rising Sun.”
Highly recommend.
July 6, 2024
Excellent look at the two-year period between the beginning of WWII and America's entry into it. I knew something about Lindbergh's fascist leanings before reading this, but had no idea how deeply-rooted those leanings were, nor how horribly racist he was, especially against Jews and Asians. It's good to be reminded that these types of men have always existed in America.
The book itself is extremely well-written. I was surprised to see it's the author's first book.
The book itself is extremely well-written. I was surprised to see it's the author's first book.
June 16, 2024
A fast paced retelling of an ugly chapter of our history where those who should have known better, fell under the spell of the German Nazitn
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June 21, 2024Great read. Stories of the times my parents and grand-parents during the 30's and 40's never get old.
July 8, 2024
A beautifully written story about an ugly time in history. A history lesson that resonates today
July 28, 2024
Fantastic book. America First is nothing new but if they had succeeded we would have lost WWII.
June 18, 2025
Another interesting book which illustrated the strong leadership qualities of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Of course, as the author noted, FDR was not perfect. He overused the action of executive orders. He was concerned about the Jews and other minorities being systematically murdered by the Nazis. However, his worry did not transfer to a change in quotas which would have enabled more Europeans to enter the United States. It is clear from this book that he knew about the Einsatzgruppen (genocide by bullets). However, he did not suggest military actions against these murderous groups. FDR was not proactive about desegregating the military which was a disgrace. The incarceration of the Japanese on the west coast--his idea--qualified as one of the dark chapters in American history. People who know the history of the Roosevelts know that FDR was not an exemplary husband. He did allow Eleanor to pave her own way. I digress, since this is not the subject of the book.
Charles Lindbergh was a national hero due to his heroic feats in the airplane. He was an overt antisemite and pro Nazi supporter. Amazing as this sounds--though maybe not so much in 2025--tens of thousands of Americans supported him and his organizations. Charles Lindbergh considered himself and his followers isolationists. He went one step further by suggesting the allies support the Nazis, Italian fascists, and Japanese. Lindbergh felt the Axis powers were on the right side of history. In my opinion, his isolationist viewpoint evolved into treason. The world of the 1940's was not what it became after World War II. After Lindbergh was discredited, he was eventually reinstated in the American military.
Roosevelt and his advisors stood steadfast against both isolationism and pro Nazism, in the form of Lindbergh and his powerful friends. FDR prevailed over them and supported the allies until Pearl Harbor, when the U.S. entered the war. He overcame the anti democratic forces that were shortsighted and dangerous. Sadly, white supremacy, racism, and antisemitism were not permanently eradicated, as is evident by events since then.
In my opinion, Roosevelt was a great leader. He remained focused, calm and had a sense of humor. He took advice but asserted himself as well. FDR fostered relationships with statesmen from other nations which is diplomacy. He countered popular opinion not to enter the war, and he persisted. His verbal skills were extraordinary. Franklin Roosevelt's prose was concise and used words and phrases in a manner which roused people's strengths. Roosevelt's speeches remain well-known and easily identifiable.
Charles Lindbergh was a national hero due to his heroic feats in the airplane. He was an overt antisemite and pro Nazi supporter. Amazing as this sounds--though maybe not so much in 2025--tens of thousands of Americans supported him and his organizations. Charles Lindbergh considered himself and his followers isolationists. He went one step further by suggesting the allies support the Nazis, Italian fascists, and Japanese. Lindbergh felt the Axis powers were on the right side of history. In my opinion, his isolationist viewpoint evolved into treason. The world of the 1940's was not what it became after World War II. After Lindbergh was discredited, he was eventually reinstated in the American military.
Roosevelt and his advisors stood steadfast against both isolationism and pro Nazism, in the form of Lindbergh and his powerful friends. FDR prevailed over them and supported the allies until Pearl Harbor, when the U.S. entered the war. He overcame the anti democratic forces that were shortsighted and dangerous. Sadly, white supremacy, racism, and antisemitism were not permanently eradicated, as is evident by events since then.
In my opinion, Roosevelt was a great leader. He remained focused, calm and had a sense of humor. He took advice but asserted himself as well. FDR fostered relationships with statesmen from other nations which is diplomacy. He countered popular opinion not to enter the war, and he persisted. His verbal skills were extraordinary. Franklin Roosevelt's prose was concise and used words and phrases in a manner which roused people's strengths. Roosevelt's speeches remain well-known and easily identifiable.
September 11, 2024
Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR's War of Words With Charles Lindbergh—and the Battle to Save Democracy is a useful if limited guide to a pivotal era of our history, when Europe was at war with the forces of fascism and the United States was stubbornly determined to stay out of it, despite the better instincts of the President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. As someone who has always been fascinated by these two historical figures and their outsized role in American history, I was eager to read this book.
Paul Sparrow is the former director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, and as such, he bases the book on resources he was able to find at this important institution. The book is not a deep analysis but rather, a chronological display of the writings and speeches given by FDR, Lindbergh, and others in the run-up to the Unites States' engagement in World War II. Much has been written elsewhere explicating this critical period in our history. This book was written with with our current crisis of democracy in mind; Sparrow doesn't harp on the similarities of the right-wing extremists of today to those of the first "America First" era, but he alludes to them, and the parallels are certainly obvious. Yet the eras in other ways couldn't be more different—today, with trust in government at an all-time low, even Roosevelt couldn't rally Americans to a just cause in today's angry, fact-challenged, and polarized country.
Sparrow clearly admires Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, and dwells only lightly on their failings, personal and political. Lindbergh, one of the most consequential figures of the twentieth century, is properly shown to be the fascistic anti-semite he proved to be, but of course his legacy is more complex. There are other books that delve more deeply into all of their legacies. This book, with its narrow focus, does demonstrate the danger of fascistic movements in this country but shows that the U.S. was (mostly) willing to abandon such views in the face of a existential danger. I'm not so sure that could happen today.
Paul Sparrow is the former director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, and as such, he bases the book on resources he was able to find at this important institution. The book is not a deep analysis but rather, a chronological display of the writings and speeches given by FDR, Lindbergh, and others in the run-up to the Unites States' engagement in World War II. Much has been written elsewhere explicating this critical period in our history. This book was written with with our current crisis of democracy in mind; Sparrow doesn't harp on the similarities of the right-wing extremists of today to those of the first "America First" era, but he alludes to them, and the parallels are certainly obvious. Yet the eras in other ways couldn't be more different—today, with trust in government at an all-time low, even Roosevelt couldn't rally Americans to a just cause in today's angry, fact-challenged, and polarized country.
Sparrow clearly admires Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, and dwells only lightly on their failings, personal and political. Lindbergh, one of the most consequential figures of the twentieth century, is properly shown to be the fascistic anti-semite he proved to be, but of course his legacy is more complex. There are other books that delve more deeply into all of their legacies. This book, with its narrow focus, does demonstrate the danger of fascistic movements in this country but shows that the U.S. was (mostly) willing to abandon such views in the face of a existential danger. I'm not so sure that could happen today.
November 10, 2024
Written in a very accessible narrative style, the book uses primary source documents to tell the story of how difficult it was to get America to commit to the defense of Europe as a part of its defense. He was facing the winds of isolationism as people looked back at World War I and a desire to keep the country free of "foreign entanglements." WWII began in the fall of 1939 for the rest of the world. Well-documented and sourced the book gives you a sense of the divisions and Roosevelt's clear understanding of the landscape. The primary focus is the public relations issues of having someone as popular as Charles Lindbergh as an advocate not only of staying out of the war but of the idea that democracy was giving way to autocracy as a model of efficient governance! Seems like a timely bit of history.
One of the remarkable things that I learned from the book, something I had not given any thought to, was how Roosevelt's understanding of the futility of war was shaped by his experience as the Navy Secretary in WWI and then in the lead-up to WWII. Roosevelt recognized how critical it was to support the war effort in Europe, and worked magic to get people to accept his idea of the Lend-Lease program for war equipment. Another fascinating bit of the book was the relationship between FDR and Churchill. While Lindbergh was busy justifying that Hitler was just doing what England and France had done in their turn -- FDR was figuring out a way to help people see that what Hitler was doing was quite different. He spent several weeks with Churchill in the White House hammering out the Atlantic Charter. somewhere along the way, FDR realized that there needed to be a brotherhood of man. That all people had to have guarantees of certain rights. The Charter became the precursor of the United Nations. The beautiful way the author weaves the narrative with the actual words that were in the primary documents is especially lovely.
Well worth the reading and it will further inform and cause you to want to learn more.
One of the remarkable things that I learned from the book, something I had not given any thought to, was how Roosevelt's understanding of the futility of war was shaped by his experience as the Navy Secretary in WWI and then in the lead-up to WWII. Roosevelt recognized how critical it was to support the war effort in Europe, and worked magic to get people to accept his idea of the Lend-Lease program for war equipment. Another fascinating bit of the book was the relationship between FDR and Churchill. While Lindbergh was busy justifying that Hitler was just doing what England and France had done in their turn -- FDR was figuring out a way to help people see that what Hitler was doing was quite different. He spent several weeks with Churchill in the White House hammering out the Atlantic Charter. somewhere along the way, FDR realized that there needed to be a brotherhood of man. That all people had to have guarantees of certain rights. The Charter became the precursor of the United Nations. The beautiful way the author weaves the narrative with the actual words that were in the primary documents is especially lovely.
Well worth the reading and it will further inform and cause you to want to learn more.
November 26, 2024
Although this book makes sure to note that FDR was not perfect, alluding to and relating some instances illustrating this assertion, and ends with an slight enumeration of some problems, you will not have an issue figuring out who the hero of this story is. Very much a paean to FDR, and served up in a format that shows how great he was by showing how he overcame Charles Lindbergh. Not that that was a bad thing, as the books lists his actions and words at very least. (this fact does seem pretty clear, especially when, in danger of losing his footing, Lindbergh let loose his virulent antisemitism). Still there is a lot of history worth appreciating here.
November 27, 2024
A thorough recounting of speeches and words from one of the great political orators of the 20th century, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. What bothered me about this book was how it was staged as a battle between FDR and Charles Lindbergh, but as far as I know, Lindbergh was a non-interventionist and was never really "confirmed" as a Nazi sympathizer, as he is portrayed here. I don't know enough about the man, but it was easy to tell that the author is extremely biased towards FDR, so it felt unnecessary to set up the book this way. Still, it's fascinating to see the parallels between the WWII era and what's happening today.
January 15, 2025
Fourth book of the year for me is Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR’s War of Words with Charles Limbergh- and the Battle to Save Democracy by Paul M. Sparrow. This was a quick enjoyable read. Mr. Sparrow previously had been director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and you can can feel the passion for the FDR Administration. This is the story of Roosvelts masterful leadership to protect this nation in the worst crises of the twentieth century. It is a good reminder of what good leadership is and we can be thankful he was President. I highly recommend this read. #reading #history #FDR #AwakeningthespiritofAmerica #PaulMSparrow #WorldWarII
March 10, 2025
This period of history intrigues me as do all the major players from that era. Sparrow covers the impact Charles Lindbergh and the America First Committee had on the public, working to keep us from entering WWII. FDR was incredibly shrewd finding ways to help Britain while keeping the law. Some have questioned if FDR knew Pearl Harbor would be attacked but the author presents evidence to the contrary. I suspect FDR knew WWII would be a huge conflict and that we would eventually be involved to a large extent. The work he did to increase manufacturing was as critical as supplying soldiers and sailors. Very thought-provoking and highly recommended.
March 14, 2025
I enjoyed listening to this one. It certainly provides a unique focus and perspective on the time period. If you're interested in WWII and have read other books on the early days of the war, I think you'll enjoy this one. If you're interested but somewhat unfamiliar, I would recommend starting elsewhere and coming back to this one.
March 24, 2025
A shory yet informative telling of the lead up to America entering WWII. The elements featuring Lindbergh and his "America First" committee seemed ripped out of today's headlines. History has a funny way of repeating itself... Sadly, Lindbergh and friends are the ones in the White House this time around.
November 14, 2025
A very interesting, well-written, and informative book. This book shows why FDR was one of our greatest presidents. We really need someone like him during these tumultuous times, but I fear that is an impossible wish.
January 10, 2025
FDR positioning American to be a superpower, including his sparring with Lindbergh. The globalist versus the isolationist. Good read, interesting, with lessons for the politicians of today.
February 12, 2025
Another vacation-inspired read after visiting Pearl Harbor, and the Churchill and WWII stories on the Queen Mary. Reading these historical accounts makes you realize the opinions and decisions they faced.
February 23, 2025
Good book, excellent audiobook with a great narrator.
Wish we had FDR around today, for all his flaws. Guess we'll have to make do ourselves.
Wish we had FDR around today, for all his flaws. Guess we'll have to make do ourselves.
April 12, 2025
Very readable and human portrayal of those uncertain times before we officially enters WWII.
May 27, 2025
Inspiring. Leaders who understood moral courage and the scourge of racism. Where are these leaders today?
July 28, 2024
A decent overview of the contrasting views of both the internationalist FDR and the America First crowd of Lindbergh. This book helped we to see the passion of the ant-war crowd and the links of their rhetoric to foreign influence efforts of the Third Reich, which was somewhat chilling. A very interesting and in depth historical account. I’m grateful I read it.
December 24, 2025
The origin of America First in popular response against feared U.S. involvement in WWII. Isolationism and its rhetoric resonated with the majority of Americans voters, despite the growing sense of real danger by way of Nazi takeover of Europe. This book covers verbal efforts of FDR, who had a sense of what would have to be done despite its unpopularity as he gradually inspired a more morally courageous response by the country which came to look back on that time as our Greatest Generation.
June 20, 2024
This book is exceptionally well written. I think, the author met his goal of revealing how similar the issues and problems that we politically face today are very similar to the ones faced by FDR and our nation prior to WW II.
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