The President's Man

Blackjack Endicott #1

by Elliott Roosevelt

In 1932, Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt finds himself the target of assassination threats because of his stand on Prohibition and turns to his old friend "Blackjack" Endicott to take on the mob

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

290 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

Elliott Roosevelt (September 23, 1910 – October 27, 1990) was an United States Army Air Forces officer and an author. Roosevelt was a son of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Reviews

[Scott Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a gem! The characters are bigger than life, if it's possible for real people. The story moves quickly, there's plenty of glitz with enough normalcy to anchor it. Excellent!

[Deborah Gebhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My introduction to Elliott Roosevelt's Blackjack Endicott series. This is a fast, fun read.
Jack Endicott is a college friend of New York governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and as a friend Franklin requests a favor. Franklin's life has been threatened, due to the possibility that Prohibition will be repealed. Franklin asks that Jack meet various mobsters and advise them of the certainty that Prohibition will be repealed all or in part, regardless as to who is elected, because it's what the general population wants and there already exists enough votes in congress to get it to pass.
So, in the progress of visiting all and sundry mobsters of the day, Jack's life is threatened.
Can Jack stop the threats to Franklin and himself?

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gives a good look at some bad times. Scary stuff from the 30's.

[Donald Harwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Mr. Roosevelt's books for their ease of reading, and for the history that is included. They are set around FDR's presidency, and Eleanor Roosevelt is usually the character that the story spins around.
In the story, Jack Endicott is introduced, and is the major character.
He is a good friend of, then Governor Roosevelt, and instrumental in thwarting a assassination plot against FDR. The use of the historical setting of the time is magnified as Mr. Endicott is introduced to, and
acts as ally and foe to the major crime figures of the Prohibition period.

I got the feeling that Mr Roosevelt was trying to cross over to the "Hard Boiled Detective" genre, but he seemed to bounce between Mike Hammer and "The Saint". However, though the flow of the book may have been up and down, it was a very good read that held my interest throughout.

[ShareStories · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliott Roosevelt is a master at fictionalizing his father's presidency. He takes us right into the period with accurate descriptions and portrayals of Old Money, the Mob and other of society's classes that existed during this time. He also tantalizingly hints at his relationship with each of his parents, Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt. This is especially intriguing in light of the fact that his parents lead virtually separate lives after FDR's affair with Lucy Mercer, who is, surprisingly, a character in this novel. Much for the history buff to chew on here!

[Jen Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have another book in this series so I may find myself picking it up at some time, but I can't say I am excited about it. This book was ok, but just ok. I wanted to know what happened, but it was more about just getting the book done and over with than about really being invested in the outcome.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting how Elliott has woven the mob and gangs into this unique story with the early days before Roosevelt was elected president.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book! Elliott Roosevelt mixes fact and fiction very well.