FDR and the American Crisis

by Albert Marrin

The definitive biography of president Franklin Delano Roosevelt for young adult readers, from National Book Award finalist Albert Marrin, is a must-have for anyone searching for President's Day reading.
 
Brought up in a privileged family, Franklin Delano Roosevelt had every opportunity in front of him. As a young man, he found a path in politics and quickly began to move into the public eye. That ascent seemed impossible when he contracted polio and lost the use of his legs. But with a will of steel he fought the disease—and public perception of his disability—to become president of the United States of America.
 
FDR used that same will to guide his country through a crippling depression and a horrendous world war. He understood Adolf Hitler, and what it would take to stop him, before almost any other world leader did. But to accomplish his greater goals, he made difficult choices that sometimes compromised the ideals of fairness and justice.
 
FDR is one of America’s most intriguing presidents, lionized by some and villainized by others. National Book Award finalist Albert Marrin explores the life of a fascinating, complex man, who was ultimately one of the greatest leaders our country has known.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, World War II, Middle Grade, High School

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 6, 2015

About the author

Albert Marrin is a historian and the author of more than twenty nonfiction books for young people. He has won various awards for his writing, including the 2005 James Madison Book Award and the 2008 National Endowment for Humanities Medal. In 2011, his book Flesh and Blood So Cheap was a National Book Award Finalist. Marrin is the Chairman of the History Department at New York's Yeshiva University.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by a master of youth nonfiction. Marrin says he was nine when FDR died and has vivid memories of the day. That means that Marrin isn't so young himself and it shows in this book. He has no hesitation expressing his opinion of the events he is writing about. Nonetheless, this is historical writing at close to its best. As familiar as I am with information about the Holocaust, Marrin had me in tears. He makes it quite clear that while Roosevelt took decidedly dubious steps while president, many of which Marrin strongly condemned, that ultimately, Roosevelt acted to prevent a nightmare from overtaking the United States. There is no doubt in Marrin's mind that eventually the US would have been attacked and perhaps defeated by Hitler if FDR hadn't broken the law and helped Britain and hadn't ultimately entered the war after cranking up the industry to manufacture war materials. I found what Marrin said about rumors that FDR manipulated the attack on Pearl Harbor convincing. I believe Marrin when he said FDR was as surprised and shocked as anyone else. I also found out fascinating information that I have never seen before. Roosevelt participated in a scheme where German and Japanese people or their descendants were kidnapped in Latin America and held for ransom by the Germans and Japanese. Both enemy combatants did exchange people for the ones held captive by the Americans. Even if it saved lives of Americans, this was despicable. He summed up FDR by saying no one, including Eleanor, really understood this man. He kept much to himself even while charming people.

I am not going to buy more copies for my system than this one. While meant for Young Adults, there are very few, probably not more than a dozen or so teens, even in a city as large as San Diego, who would be able to get through this enormous and fascinating book. Those who do will be rewarded by a better knowledge of the world than the vast majority of their peers. I would hope AP teachers might assign this for extra credit but I doubt they will. I highly recommend adults who are interested in what made our world what it is today read this book. They will not be sorry and will feel much more knowledgeable when finished.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say that this is a "definitive biography" is a true statement. For a writer of YA nonfiction this one takes the cake on being a comprehensive understanding of the life and times of FDR from his infidelity and illness to his views on African Americans and Japanese to how he won the election and created his alphabet of government initiatives to begin to emerge from the Great Depression.

Using photos but somewhat sparingly, there is plenty of information for each part of his life to use however for research but as a whole read it's an enlightening narrative nonfiction of this main in the same way Kanefield's is too. I felt like there were things I already knew and still things I learned. (Particularly one about Stalin and how he laughed at his son and said "you missed" during his failed suicide attempt only to have his wife commit suicide by holding a gun to her chest and his daughter saying that he ruined her life but that she lived into her eighties-- crazy!)

There is so much about military strategy and the men who were in power along with understanding the Great Depression, war, race relations, and so so much more. I would highly recommend.

[Kristen Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy biographies that help you understand an individual better. I don't like those biographies that have an agenda to try and make a reader either love or hate an individual--just to sell a story. Albert Marrin did an excellent job of trying to help the reader understand FDR and the situations surrounding his life that influenced his decisions as president. Good read.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for Eli.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Franklin D. Roosevelt from childhood, through his presidency and WWII, until the end of his life. It does a great job of really documenting not only his life, but the history of America from the early 1900s until after WWII. What I found to be really interesting was the complexity of the man in the office. He was not always a great man, but that doesn't mean that he was always a bad man. He had his good days and his bad days. He had great issues that he followed through on, that helped to end the great depression. However, he was also a bit wishy washy on some very important issues, including but not limited to equal rights. You may be surprised at what you learn. I also enjoyed the pictures, as many of them really painted the picture of the twelve tumultuous years that FDR was in office. Overall, it was very interesting and informative!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction book, aimed toward middle school and high school children is aptly named. It is more than a biography on our 32nd President, it covers the major world events Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced before and during his presidency. The level of detail is phenomenal and the candid look at the delicate personal and political relationships is eye-opening. Nothing is glossed-over. Readers see FDR in all his glory and with all his flaws. It's a well-rounded look at a complicated man in trying times. There are a number of photographs, some of which I've never before seen. There's also a table of contents, index, notes and a list of books for further reading about FDR and the times in which he lived. I highly recommend for purchase for school and public libraries.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marrin, Albert. FDR and the American Crisis Alfred A. Knopf, 2015. $24.99. 283 pgs. Content: PG

Marrin’s non-fiction book is a great reference for any student wanting to know more about FDR’s life, presidency, and controversial choices such as his continuation of Jim Crow laws and discrimination against Jews. The book does a good job of balancing the many great things FDR did while also openly discussing some of the negative aspects of his political career. The pictures are excellent and plentiful. They help to make the history more relatable and easy to understand.

MS, HS - ESSENTIAL Reviewer: SM
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2016/...

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. There is a lot to learn about Roosevelt and it's not all favorable. You also get a good picture of life in America from WWI up to FDR's death. The book gave a lot of information about some little known events during Roosevelt's life and then glossed over a few of the major ones. Substantial attention is given to the treatment of women and African Americans at this time. I would not recommend this book for pleasure reading. It's physically heavy and uncomfortable to read. It would be great as a supplement in an American history course.

[Emily Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I loved all of the insights to FDR's private life and the commentaries on his politics. I think that this book is a great resource for history teachers. I think that this book will get kids interested in American and World history. I would recommend this book for middle school aged students and up.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good history read that helps me put into perspective bits and pieces of history, especially regarding WWII. Wish there was more Eleanor in this book. Sad to learn FDR was with his mistress, and not her, when he died.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating and different look at FDR and his Presidency. First YA book I have read that discusses the opposition to the war and addresses the worry and discontent of the Homefront during WWII. Fantastic read.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

nonfiction/world history

[Katherine Schmitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good and bad. Would probably only recommend to total history nerds or someone doing a report.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading "FDR...", I kept saying I was reading the snarky story of FDR but more I think it's an accurate version of the events leading up to WWII and WWII itself - all with FDR as the central figure. Albert Marrin doesn't pull any punches as he describes FDR's reluctance to champion marginalized groups during the Great Depression and WWII, nor does he shy away from discussing in depth his decision to send Japanese-Americans to concentration camps, etc etc.