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The Last 100 Days: FDR at War and at Peace
A dramatic portrait of the end of Franklin Roosevelt’s life and presidency, and an unprecedented analysis of his vision for the postwar world
The first 100 days of Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency are justly famous, viewed as a period of political action without equal in American history. Yet as historian David B. Woolner reveals, the end of FDR’s presidency might very well surpass it in drama and consequence.
Drawing on new evidence, Woolner shows how FDR used every ounce of his diminishing energy to pursue the things that mattered most to him: the establishment of the United Nations, the reinvigoration of the New Deal, the possibility of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, and some quiet moments with his closest companions. We see a president shorn of the usual distractions of office, a man whose sense of duty and personal responsibility for the fate of the American people, and the world, bore heavily upon him. From his final Christmas at Hyde Park to his death on April 12, 1945, FDR strove to finish the work he had started twelve long years before.
The first 100 days of Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency are justly famous, viewed as a period of political action without equal in American history. Yet as historian David B. Woolner reveals, the end of FDR’s presidency might very well surpass it in drama and consequence.
Drawing on new evidence, Woolner shows how FDR used every ounce of his diminishing energy to pursue the things that mattered most to him: the establishment of the United Nations, the reinvigoration of the New Deal, the possibility of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, and some quiet moments with his closest companions. We see a president shorn of the usual distractions of office, a man whose sense of duty and personal responsibility for the fate of the American people, and the world, bore heavily upon him. From his final Christmas at Hyde Park to his death on April 12, 1945, FDR strove to finish the work he had started twelve long years before.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published December 12, 2017
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213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 23, 2018
A moving account of FDR's last 100 days, that's given extra immediacy due to the recent reconstruction of FDR's daily calendar. Woolner, a specialist on Roosevelt, and an excellent writer, it able to take these hourly details and recreate FDR's activities. His conversations, his meetings, his dinners (what he ate), are all employed by the author to give the reader a deeper sense of those last days. It's never dry. The aides, the doctors, the soldiers, Eleanor (and Lucy Rutherford), all come wonderfully to life in Woolner's account. And, at the heart of the book, the dying FDR himself. Everyone seems to sense the president's weakening, but FDR continues to work toward his ultimate goal of establishing the United Nations. In those last fiery days of the war that was not a sure thing, as FDR feared that the UN's fate could be that of Wilson's League of Nations. Especially so as the ever paranoid Stalin, after Yalta, started moving the goal posts on FDR and Churchill. But Woolner humanizes Stalin, especially at Yalta. Woolner seems to suggest that there was some bonding between FDR and Stalin, even as FDR purposefully distanced himself from Churchill and Churchill's desire for restoration of an English Empire. (Woolner's detailed account of the Yalta conference was mostly new to me.)
But that long February trip to the Russian Crimea, as much as Roosevelt thought it necessary, took its toll. It's doubtful that it in itself the killed Roosevelt, but it did probably accelerate his demise on April 12. Late in the book, Eleanor would tell someone that as early as 1940 FDR felt that his time in office would shorten his life, but that he had work to do. He certainly finished a lot it. Still, no one is prepared for when the great and greatly loved are no longer there. I wasn't, and I knew how it would end. A beautifully told story of a great American president. Highly recommended.
But that long February trip to the Russian Crimea, as much as Roosevelt thought it necessary, took its toll. It's doubtful that it in itself the killed Roosevelt, but it did probably accelerate his demise on April 12. Late in the book, Eleanor would tell someone that as early as 1940 FDR felt that his time in office would shorten his life, but that he had work to do. He certainly finished a lot it. Still, no one is prepared for when the great and greatly loved are no longer there. I wasn't, and I knew how it would end. A beautifully told story of a great American president. Highly recommended.
May 9, 2019
This account is a first-rate review of FDR's last days. It is a careful study and he explains the diplomatic issues well, especially as it relates to Russia. There is also a chapter on FDR's visit to the Middle East, which is not covered very much in other FDR studies. It gives readers a great introduction to dive into Truman's presidency, such as The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World.
The personal side is well-treated. It is interesting to notice that the people who saw him all the time were concerned about his health, of course, but had a very different take than with people who saw him infrequently. They were aghast by his condition. So, fans of presidential history and FDR, grab a copy.
The personal side is well-treated. It is interesting to notice that the people who saw him all the time were concerned about his health, of course, but had a very different take than with people who saw him infrequently. They were aghast by his condition. So, fans of presidential history and FDR, grab a copy.
May 5, 2018
It is amazing how a man as sick as FDR was able to accomplish so much in such a short time. I believe that FDR knew he would not live much longer and thus wanted to do as much as he could in the time that was left to him. What is terribly sad is how his legacy is being destroyed by the current administration. He fought for the rights of the common person. He decried the 'America First' and nationalist that had overtaken the USA and tried to make people realize that the only way there could be peace was if the USA took the leadership role. Now we have a man who is trying to undo everything FDR fought for. This book will give people an idea of how FDR saw his country and its place in the world. How he wanted the peace to be for not only the USA but for all peoples. With the strong assistance of Eleanor how he fought for civil rights. All the things that progressives want for today were laid out not only by FDR but his cousin Teddy. It is a tragedy that FDR's health would not hold p to the demands that he made of it. What is even more tragic is the ego of the doctor who was supposed to be caring for him and refused to admit that he was doing a lousy job and refused to allow better and more skilled doctors to care for him. A tragedy all round. Would that we would have such men in office today.
September 26, 2019
This is a moving account of the end of FDR's life, which, of course, occurred at a crucial moment in world history. The common account of this period is overly simplified, and Woolner helps to shed light on the true complexity of the time. It is an interesting study of FDR's character, that even amid the terrible suffering of his illness, he still seemed to think he had more time and could continue to shape policy around the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC.
December 28, 2021
This book is a thorough account of FDR’s last 100 days. And those were days that were full of life and energy. The author devotes a major portion of the book to the 5 weeks or so in the last 100 days that FDR was away at Yalta. The discussions there with Churchill and Stalin formed the basis for the world going forward after WWII. FDR worked on Middle East issues and laid the foundation for the recognition of Israel. His efforts in the last 100 days also led to the formation of the UN. The book takes the reader through all of these issues and the personal side of FDR. FDR won many but not all of his domestic political battles, and the author points out that those issues became harder to achieve in the 4th term. This is an important book to read to see a vital man hard at work for good until the moment he was called to be with the Lord. JIM
April 30, 2018
This was a good read.
January 22, 2018
While historians have focused on FDR's as President in his 1st 100 days, this book uses the same construct to investigate his last 100 days.
As such it goes into detail in its discussion Of the Yalta summit, arguing against those who see it as appeasement to the Soviets.
A valuable addition to the scholarship on FDR.
As such it goes into detail in its discussion Of the Yalta summit, arguing against those who see it as appeasement to the Soviets.
A valuable addition to the scholarship on FDR.
May 13, 2018
A slow read ticking down to FDR's death. Lots of info on the development of the UN that I didn't appreciate how involved FDR was in the process. The relationship between England/Churchill and US/FDR at the end of the war was rather in contrast to the earlier relationship at the start of the war. Good book, a little dry in places.
February 25, 2018
Lots of interesting facts and insights about FDR's final days. Shocking the way people close to him could see how sick he was and still he carried on, taking the punishing trip to Yalta and the Mid East.
September 1, 2018
Insightful Analysis of a Critical, Less Examined Period of FDR Presidency
Growing up, the only thing I heard about the waning days of FDR’s presidency was how he was duped by Stalin at Yalta and how little he did to brief his vice president, Harry Truman, about the key decisions he was making — including the development and potential deployment of the atomic bomb. Author David B. Woolner helps us understand that the first of these allegations is overly simplistic, while the second is accurate and perhaps reflects that FDR was in denial regarding the reality of his declining health and impending death.
Woolner argues that FDR had his eye on long term objectives, notably establishing a more durable peace and world order than what followed World War I. He was haunted by Woodrow Wilson’s failure to achieve Congressional approval for US membership in the League of Nations. He thus placed a high priority on creation of the United Nations and was planning to travel to San Francisco for the meeting of the new international organization. That meeting went forward only days after his death.
Poland became a casualty of Roosevelt’s priorities with regard to the United Nations and his quest for a new postwar world order. FDR, says Woolner, was not too sick to understand Russian demands at Yalta. The Soviets didn’t dupe him. He simply set the creation of the United Nations as a higher priority than Poland. As with arguments about including two Soviet Republics as additional members of the General Assembly as a condition of Stalin’s support, Roosevelt had an unrealistic hope that a better deal could be renegotiated with Stalin over time.
FDR was also committed to peace between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East, and had the foresight to recognize the importance of Saudi Arabia and its oil wealth. On his way back from Yalta, even though he was in poor health, FDR arranged to meet Saudi King Ibn Saud in Egypt. Despite employing the full measure of Roosevelt charm, he found the Saudi king intractable on the subject of providing a homeland for Jews in Palestine.
The book provides an amusing account of the arrival of Ibn Saud, who had never before left his home country, and who was conveyed to the meeting with Roosevelt on a US destroyer. The deck of the American warship was covered with carpets and the destroyer received an entourage of 48 including an astrologer and food taster, along with seven sheep to provide fresh meat for the king.
There is a vivid portrayal of the women with whom FDR was most relaxed and who surrounded him on the day of his death —distant cousin Daisy Suckley who was devoted to him, eccentric Laura “Polly” Franklin Delano, and the romantic love of his life, Lucy Rutherford. Eleanor, as was often the case, was pursuing her own agenda elsewhere.
Woolner pulls no punches in describing the state of FDR’s health in the last 100 days, and this makes for some grim reading. But he leaves the reader in no doubt that Roosevelt kept his eye on the big picture and ultimate objectives for a new world order and peace. FDR retained his essential optimism and confidence to his dying day but had an unrealistic expectation that he was healthy enough to personally lead the nation and the world through the challenges of the postwar period.
Growing up, the only thing I heard about the waning days of FDR’s presidency was how he was duped by Stalin at Yalta and how little he did to brief his vice president, Harry Truman, about the key decisions he was making — including the development and potential deployment of the atomic bomb. Author David B. Woolner helps us understand that the first of these allegations is overly simplistic, while the second is accurate and perhaps reflects that FDR was in denial regarding the reality of his declining health and impending death.
Woolner argues that FDR had his eye on long term objectives, notably establishing a more durable peace and world order than what followed World War I. He was haunted by Woodrow Wilson’s failure to achieve Congressional approval for US membership in the League of Nations. He thus placed a high priority on creation of the United Nations and was planning to travel to San Francisco for the meeting of the new international organization. That meeting went forward only days after his death.
Poland became a casualty of Roosevelt’s priorities with regard to the United Nations and his quest for a new postwar world order. FDR, says Woolner, was not too sick to understand Russian demands at Yalta. The Soviets didn’t dupe him. He simply set the creation of the United Nations as a higher priority than Poland. As with arguments about including two Soviet Republics as additional members of the General Assembly as a condition of Stalin’s support, Roosevelt had an unrealistic hope that a better deal could be renegotiated with Stalin over time.
FDR was also committed to peace between Arabs and Jews in the Middle East, and had the foresight to recognize the importance of Saudi Arabia and its oil wealth. On his way back from Yalta, even though he was in poor health, FDR arranged to meet Saudi King Ibn Saud in Egypt. Despite employing the full measure of Roosevelt charm, he found the Saudi king intractable on the subject of providing a homeland for Jews in Palestine.
The book provides an amusing account of the arrival of Ibn Saud, who had never before left his home country, and who was conveyed to the meeting with Roosevelt on a US destroyer. The deck of the American warship was covered with carpets and the destroyer received an entourage of 48 including an astrologer and food taster, along with seven sheep to provide fresh meat for the king.
There is a vivid portrayal of the women with whom FDR was most relaxed and who surrounded him on the day of his death —distant cousin Daisy Suckley who was devoted to him, eccentric Laura “Polly” Franklin Delano, and the romantic love of his life, Lucy Rutherford. Eleanor, as was often the case, was pursuing her own agenda elsewhere.
Woolner pulls no punches in describing the state of FDR’s health in the last 100 days, and this makes for some grim reading. But he leaves the reader in no doubt that Roosevelt kept his eye on the big picture and ultimate objectives for a new world order and peace. FDR retained his essential optimism and confidence to his dying day but had an unrealistic expectation that he was healthy enough to personally lead the nation and the world through the challenges of the postwar period.
August 2, 2022
Excellent and well written. Refutes criticism that FDR was too sick to negotiate effectively at Yalta. While the trip was grueling and the President certainly was not well, the agreements were flawed and not kept was due to the negotiating tactics utilized by Stalin. He was both stubborn and clever, and following the conference, he broke his word.
Two quotes from the book to illustrate the depth of the discussion:
"... one of the chief barriers to understanding between representatives of a totalitarian state like Soviet Russia and those of a democracy like the United States 'was not the difference in language or custom but the fact that they do not know what we mean by public opinion.'"
"As FDR explained to Stettinius and Hopkins in a conversation they had in early January, the British "were working to undermine our whole policy with regard to China." Indeed it appeared to the president that London "still clung to the idea of White supremacy in Asia." (less)
Two quotes from the book to illustrate the depth of the discussion:
"... one of the chief barriers to understanding between representatives of a totalitarian state like Soviet Russia and those of a democracy like the United States 'was not the difference in language or custom but the fact that they do not know what we mean by public opinion.'"
"As FDR explained to Stettinius and Hopkins in a conversation they had in early January, the British "were working to undermine our whole policy with regard to China." Indeed it appeared to the president that London "still clung to the idea of White supremacy in Asia." (less)
April 13, 2025
After exploring FDR’s defining first 100 days in office and multiple other facets of his presidency, I wanted to complete the arc of his presidency—and this book on his final 100 days was a fitting conclusion.
The standout sections center on the Yalta Conference, held just months before FDR's death. The author offers a fresh, perhaps less conventional, perspective on FDR’s performance there, which I found particularly compelling. The book also does a commendable job documenting the final days of Roosevelt’s life, providing a poignant sense of his declining health and the weight of the wartime presidency.
While I appreciated the depth of the narrative, I would have liked more coverage of the immediate aftermath of his death—especially the funeral and national response. That said, this was a solid and engaging read that offers meaningful insight into the final chapter of one of America’s most consequential presidencies.
The standout sections center on the Yalta Conference, held just months before FDR's death. The author offers a fresh, perhaps less conventional, perspective on FDR’s performance there, which I found particularly compelling. The book also does a commendable job documenting the final days of Roosevelt’s life, providing a poignant sense of his declining health and the weight of the wartime presidency.
While I appreciated the depth of the narrative, I would have liked more coverage of the immediate aftermath of his death—especially the funeral and national response. That said, this was a solid and engaging read that offers meaningful insight into the final chapter of one of America’s most consequential presidencies.
March 8, 2018
3.5 stars. This book is valuable in providing detailed and clear picture of FDR in his last days. It is not stirring or beautiful, but it delivers what the title promises.
In it we see something more than just another self-promoting, adulterous, big government politician. He also showed an admirable drive to persevere through disability. Unfortunately, the goals he doggedly pursued were less admirable, and the legacy he left was a nanny state endlessly meddling in other nations' business.
In it we see something more than just another self-promoting, adulterous, big government politician. He also showed an admirable drive to persevere through disability. Unfortunately, the goals he doggedly pursued were less admirable, and the legacy he left was a nanny state endlessly meddling in other nations' business.
February 20, 2022
This is a riveting description of the final days in the life of a true hero. Many unknown facts of FDR's last days were revealed, and it made me very impressed with the value of the great historic figure. The description of his final day and the reaction of the loved-ones who were there with him on that fateful day brought tears to my eyes. Woolner has written a truly great biography and I'm impressed with his skills as a writer and researcher.
August 5, 2025
The Last 100 Days is an up-to-the-minute account of the last days of President Roosevelt. Impeccably researched and well written, this book is a must-read for those who are steeped in twentieth century history. I now have a clearer understanding of the Yalta Conference and President Roosevelt's keen sense of history. I found myself wishing for a different ending, although, as we all know, the president's demise was inevitable. In my estimation, this book is a masterpiece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2018
I liked it quite a bit, it gave an extremely detailed account of the Yalta Conference. There were some things I would have liked more detail on, such as his relationship with Truman and the transition immediately after FDR's passing, but that's OK. It was a good read!
July 15, 2018
This well written book made me realize how incredibly difficult it was to be the leader of any country during the time period FDR was president. From the depression to the war to the "peace" just constant pressure.
July 3, 2021
this book gave me insight about what fdr tried to accomplish and how he had to do it with all his health issues. every day was a struggle just to do basic things. being president for 12 years took a heavy toll on him.
May 14, 2018
A great look at the last 3 months of FDR’s life. The details about the Yalta Conference and his meetings with the “three kings” in the Middle East are especially good.
June 27, 2018
This guy, wow. This man. Where did he come from? Yes, I've read where he came from, but it will never explain how wonderful he was. Great read.
March 5, 2019
An excellent book about the last 100 days of FDR's life. I learned more about Yalta & the beginning of the UN than from any history class I've taken.
March 9, 2022
An excellent, thoroughly readable book on the last days of Roosevelt, drawing on new and diverse sources. Excellent research…very enjoyable
September 7, 2025
Returbned by library. But what I read a great read into the last 100 day. Interested in the topic, enjoy!
November 24, 2025
Fine but sad and haunting look at FDR’s final 100 days. Highly recommended!
December 31, 2019
A really good book on a topic that is often glazed over by other books on FDR - namely his last 100 days in office. I have always been an admirer of FDR but this book gave me a greater understanding and appreciation of how the man literally worked himself to an early death. It's amazing how in his dying days, his biggest preoccupation was the creation of the UN and how he felt it was mankind's best hope to prevent another world war. Overall, great book!
November 17, 2025
The Hyde Park Resident Historian at the Roosevelt Institute, David B. Woolner, believes that in the last 100 days of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s life, he was exhausted by the presidency and the demands of World War II. Woolner believes that a student of Franklin Roosevelt can discern what was truly important to Roosevelt. This is one of the reasons Woolner wrote The Last 100 Days: FDR at War and at Peace. Additionally, Woolner sought to analyze some of the most significant debates among scholars of Franklin Roosevelt, such as whether Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin “duped” (Woolner xii) Roosevelt at the Yalta Conference, in Woolner's words. Woolner wrote the book to remind Americans of Roosevelt’s belief that the United States was part of a larger world. Woolner is a great admirer of Roosevelt. I think many other historians could interpret some of the information in the book differently, especially because Roosevelt did not live in the post-World War II world, and Roosevelt’s behavior and words often sent mixed messages. I think one of the parts of the book I enjoyed most was Woolner’s depiction of the preparation for and meeting of Roosevelt and the King of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud, on American Navy vessels on Egypt’s Great Bitter Lake in February of 1945. Reading Woolner’s The Last 100 Days made me curious to read more about the Presidency of Harry Truman. The Last 100 Days is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in Franklin D. Roosevelt.
March 21, 2020
While I have read many books about Franklin Roosevelt, I am glad I read this one. FDR is a hard person to feel like you know, and I was interested in trying to discern more about what he might have been thinking about during the last days of his life, the Yalta conference and waning days of the war in Europe but continued worry about the Pacific. I felt like the author met these questions as well as possible. He does a good job of looking at different aspects of FDR's character from different points of view but has no problem in stating what his opinion is. The author's ideas on what made FDR so unique were very compelling, as well as what we can continue to learn from FDR's legacy. Comments on the danger of unilateralism and xenophobia seem particularly on point for today. We should be very thankful for such an unusual and far thinking man to have given his life for our country and that of the world.
January 28, 2018
A very good closing chapter on the presidency of FDR, WW II and the issues FDR thought important to finish before his pending death.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews