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Kennedy and Roosevelt: The Uneasy Alliance
The revealing story of Franklin Roosevelt, Joe Kennedy, and a political alliance that changed history, from a New York Times–bestselling author.
When Franklin Roosevelt ran for president in 1932, he gained the support of Joseph Kennedy, a little-known businessman with Wall Street connections. Instrumental in Roosevelt’s victory, their partnership began a longstanding alliance between two of America’s most ambitious power brokers.
Kennedy worked closely with FDR as the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and later as ambassador to Great Britain. But at the outbreak of World War II, sensing a threat to his family and fortune, Kennedy lobbied against American intervention—putting him in direct conflict with Roosevelt’s intentions. Though he retreated from the spotlight to focus on the political careers of his sons, Kennedy’s relationship with Roosevelt would eventually come full circle in 1960, when Franklin Roosevelt Jr. campaigned for John F. Kennedy’s presidential win.
With unprecedented access to Kennedy’s private diaries as well as firsthand interviews with Roosevelt’s family and White House aides, New York Times–bestselling author Michael Beschloss—called “the nation’s leading presidential historian” by Newsweek—presents an insightful study in contrasts. Roosevelt, the scion of a political dynasty, had a genius for the machinery of government; Kennedy, who built his own fortune, was a political outsider determined to build a dynasty of his own.
From the author of The Conquerors and Presidential Courage, this is a “fascinating account of the complex, ambiguous relationship of two shrewd, ruthless, power-hungry men” (The New York Times Book Review).
When Franklin Roosevelt ran for president in 1932, he gained the support of Joseph Kennedy, a little-known businessman with Wall Street connections. Instrumental in Roosevelt’s victory, their partnership began a longstanding alliance between two of America’s most ambitious power brokers.
Kennedy worked closely with FDR as the first chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and later as ambassador to Great Britain. But at the outbreak of World War II, sensing a threat to his family and fortune, Kennedy lobbied against American intervention—putting him in direct conflict with Roosevelt’s intentions. Though he retreated from the spotlight to focus on the political careers of his sons, Kennedy’s relationship with Roosevelt would eventually come full circle in 1960, when Franklin Roosevelt Jr. campaigned for John F. Kennedy’s presidential win.
With unprecedented access to Kennedy’s private diaries as well as firsthand interviews with Roosevelt’s family and White House aides, New York Times–bestselling author Michael Beschloss—called “the nation’s leading presidential historian” by Newsweek—presents an insightful study in contrasts. Roosevelt, the scion of a political dynasty, had a genius for the machinery of government; Kennedy, who built his own fortune, was a political outsider determined to build a dynasty of his own.
From the author of The Conquerors and Presidential Courage, this is a “fascinating account of the complex, ambiguous relationship of two shrewd, ruthless, power-hungry men” (The New York Times Book Review).
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Michael R. Beschloss
38 books395 followersMichael Beschloss is the author of nine books on presidential history, including, most recently, the New York Times bestsellers Presidential Courage and The Conquerors, as well as two volumes on Lyndon Johnson’s White House tapes. He was also editor of the number-one global bestseller Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy. He is the NBC News Presidential Historian and a PBS NewsHour contributor and has received an Emmy and six honorary degrees.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 11, 2014
This provides an excellent recounting of the Kennedy-Roosevelt relationship. Much of it is told from the Kennedy perspective. Roosevelt definitely trumped Kennedy politically – being a master manipulator. Kennedy was astute enough to realize at the beginning of the depression that government and Roosevelt were going to be the dominant players, as opposed to business. He was enlisted as a Treasury chairman and then put on a Maritime Control Board.
Roosevelt used Kennedy in his first and second elections; in the first as a campaign manager and as an endorser. He was used as a conservative businessman to convince “business” that Roosevelt’s New Deal was the path for progress in America.
Roosevelt’s appointment of Kennedy as London ambassador was a possible mistake on his part. Kennedy was too out-spoken to be an ambassador and vehemently isolationist. Perhaps it had more to do with Roosevelt wanting Kennedy causing trouble outside the U.S. than remaining within the U.S. stirring up mischief. But Kennedy did become a tremendous irritation to Roosevelt with his defeatist attitude to Great Britain and his willingness to negotiate with Hitler. After the 1940 election Kennedy was marginalized by Roosevelt. There were rumours of his supporting other candidates or even of himself becoming a Republican Candidate, but none of this materialized. Kennedy had the good sense that keeping himself in the good graces of Roosevelt ensured a successful political future for his sons in the Democratic Party.
One also gets the feeling Kennedy greatly admired Roosevelt even after being critical of him. He realized that Roosevelt was the consummate politician. As the author points out – after 1930 Kennedy admired political power more than corporate business power.
This book is well-written with intriguing observations on both these dynamic personalities.
A quote from page 268 of my edition:
“Both worked amiably with people whom at times they disdained (including each other).”
Roosevelt used Kennedy in his first and second elections; in the first as a campaign manager and as an endorser. He was used as a conservative businessman to convince “business” that Roosevelt’s New Deal was the path for progress in America.
Roosevelt’s appointment of Kennedy as London ambassador was a possible mistake on his part. Kennedy was too out-spoken to be an ambassador and vehemently isolationist. Perhaps it had more to do with Roosevelt wanting Kennedy causing trouble outside the U.S. than remaining within the U.S. stirring up mischief. But Kennedy did become a tremendous irritation to Roosevelt with his defeatist attitude to Great Britain and his willingness to negotiate with Hitler. After the 1940 election Kennedy was marginalized by Roosevelt. There were rumours of his supporting other candidates or even of himself becoming a Republican Candidate, but none of this materialized. Kennedy had the good sense that keeping himself in the good graces of Roosevelt ensured a successful political future for his sons in the Democratic Party.
One also gets the feeling Kennedy greatly admired Roosevelt even after being critical of him. He realized that Roosevelt was the consummate politician. As the author points out – after 1930 Kennedy admired political power more than corporate business power.
This book is well-written with intriguing observations on both these dynamic personalities.
A quote from page 268 of my edition:
“Both worked amiably with people whom at times they disdained (including each other).”
August 29, 2020
I came across a book by this same author with a similar context on the relationship between John F. Kennedy (not the ‘Kennedy’ of this book) and Nikita Khrushchev. That book was one of the best historical books I have ever read. Whenever I come across a book that moves me such as that one did, I feel the urge to read more of the author’s work. Because I’m somewhat obsessive-compulsive, I like to start at the beginning and read the author’s output chronologically. This particular book is the author’s first effort.
What I found incredibly interesting is that this book was released in 1980 when the author was 25. This means that he probably started writing the thing when he was 22 or 23. When **I** was 22 years old, I wasn’t even shaving every day yet. I mention this because it’s too easy to dismiss this book and come away feeling disappointed after reading later works by the author, but this criticism is unfair. We shouldn’t expect someone so young to come up with a Pulitzer Prize effort on their first effort. So although this book was very well written, it simply didn’t captivate me as much as the aforementioned work.
This book deals with the ongoing arduous relationship between Joseph Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. These two men were undoubtedly two of the biggest movers and shakers of the first half of the twentieth century. They both accomplished great things, yet this book shows us that much of what these men did in their careers was more self-centered than it was philanthropic. These were two men obsessively driven by their egos to get as far up the mountain as they could possibly go. In order to accomplish said goals, these two men badly needed each other. They didn’t like each other, but they needed each other. What’s painfully obvious is that whenever we read about these two men and their frequent interactions, it’s VERY obvious that there’s a mutual distaste of the two, yet we see them cautiously dance around their words and actions so they don’t push or offend the other guy too much. It’s rather uncomfortable, yet I suppose this is somewhat the norm when one harbors such dangerous goals and desires.
This book doesn’t serve as a biography of either man, yet we do get a brief history of their early histories and their rise to notoriety. Since Roosevelt actually becomes President (with a lot of help from Kennedy), we see that he always has a slight upper hand in the ongoing bickering-filled relationship. Kennedy is always jockeying for high placement within the Roosevelt administration, yet never really feels like he is appreciated nor utilized as he should be. We read about some of his appointments during Roosevelt’s 12-year term such as SEC Chairman and Ambassador to Britain, and it always seems as though Kennedy is desperately trying to free himself from Roosevelt’s leash and implement his own policies and procedures. This is painfully obvious during Kennedy’s ambassadorship to England in 1939 with a world war brewing. Kennedy seems to think there’s no way that Germany will fail to prevail, so why not cozy up to Hitler and make life easier for himself and the many wealthy Americans akin to his position?
Although this book (in hardback format) is only about 280 pages, the pages are packed and the print is small. This is a book where your mind can’t wander for a sentence or two, as you’ll miss critical information. So I guess you could say it’s good that the author kept the length of the book somewhat manageable, but I can’t help wonder if he shouldn’t have added another 100 pages or so and let the material breath a bit more so it could be a bit more digestible. He also needed to work on educating his readers a bit more when introducing popular policies that were either initiated or in vogue at the time. For example: About ¾ through the book, the author mentions and starts pontificating on the “Lend-Lease Program”, yet doesn’t bother stating what it actually was. Uninformed readers might need enlightenment, and it would have been nice to have a paragraph or two to the give the person a bit of the basics. This seems especially obvious in hindsight since readers didn’t have a handy tool such as Wikipedia or the internet at their fingertips.
I then have to ask myself if such a book is really necessary. I can’t honestly say that I learned anything new within these pages. True, I’ve read extensive bios of both of these figures, and this book WAS written 40 years ago, so it could be that such revelations that the author puts forth might have been more “book worthy” at the time. Still, though, this is an incredible accomplishment for an author of such a young age. I still plan on reading much more by this author, and I highly recommend him.
What I found incredibly interesting is that this book was released in 1980 when the author was 25. This means that he probably started writing the thing when he was 22 or 23. When **I** was 22 years old, I wasn’t even shaving every day yet. I mention this because it’s too easy to dismiss this book and come away feeling disappointed after reading later works by the author, but this criticism is unfair. We shouldn’t expect someone so young to come up with a Pulitzer Prize effort on their first effort. So although this book was very well written, it simply didn’t captivate me as much as the aforementioned work.
This book deals with the ongoing arduous relationship between Joseph Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. These two men were undoubtedly two of the biggest movers and shakers of the first half of the twentieth century. They both accomplished great things, yet this book shows us that much of what these men did in their careers was more self-centered than it was philanthropic. These were two men obsessively driven by their egos to get as far up the mountain as they could possibly go. In order to accomplish said goals, these two men badly needed each other. They didn’t like each other, but they needed each other. What’s painfully obvious is that whenever we read about these two men and their frequent interactions, it’s VERY obvious that there’s a mutual distaste of the two, yet we see them cautiously dance around their words and actions so they don’t push or offend the other guy too much. It’s rather uncomfortable, yet I suppose this is somewhat the norm when one harbors such dangerous goals and desires.
This book doesn’t serve as a biography of either man, yet we do get a brief history of their early histories and their rise to notoriety. Since Roosevelt actually becomes President (with a lot of help from Kennedy), we see that he always has a slight upper hand in the ongoing bickering-filled relationship. Kennedy is always jockeying for high placement within the Roosevelt administration, yet never really feels like he is appreciated nor utilized as he should be. We read about some of his appointments during Roosevelt’s 12-year term such as SEC Chairman and Ambassador to Britain, and it always seems as though Kennedy is desperately trying to free himself from Roosevelt’s leash and implement his own policies and procedures. This is painfully obvious during Kennedy’s ambassadorship to England in 1939 with a world war brewing. Kennedy seems to think there’s no way that Germany will fail to prevail, so why not cozy up to Hitler and make life easier for himself and the many wealthy Americans akin to his position?
Although this book (in hardback format) is only about 280 pages, the pages are packed and the print is small. This is a book where your mind can’t wander for a sentence or two, as you’ll miss critical information. So I guess you could say it’s good that the author kept the length of the book somewhat manageable, but I can’t help wonder if he shouldn’t have added another 100 pages or so and let the material breath a bit more so it could be a bit more digestible. He also needed to work on educating his readers a bit more when introducing popular policies that were either initiated or in vogue at the time. For example: About ¾ through the book, the author mentions and starts pontificating on the “Lend-Lease Program”, yet doesn’t bother stating what it actually was. Uninformed readers might need enlightenment, and it would have been nice to have a paragraph or two to the give the person a bit of the basics. This seems especially obvious in hindsight since readers didn’t have a handy tool such as Wikipedia or the internet at their fingertips.
I then have to ask myself if such a book is really necessary. I can’t honestly say that I learned anything new within these pages. True, I’ve read extensive bios of both of these figures, and this book WAS written 40 years ago, so it could be that such revelations that the author puts forth might have been more “book worthy” at the time. Still, though, this is an incredible accomplishment for an author of such a young age. I still plan on reading much more by this author, and I highly recommend him.
September 28, 2016
I have read quite a few biographies about presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, so I was somewhat worried when Michael R. Beschloss starts this book out with quite a few pages of basic info on the Roosevelts and the Kennedy clan. At some point, however, I realized that the relationship between FDR and JFK's dad, Joseph Kennedy, was something that I had only read little about before, although I knew that Kennedy Sr.'s role as US ambassador to Great Britain around World War II had been somewhat controversial.
Well, some 300 pages later I am so much more knowledgeable about the complex relationship dating before FDR became president to after his death, where Joseph Kennedy seemed to change his mind about FDR every few days or so, badmouthing him to journalists, business men, kings and queens (literally!) to name but a few.
Beschloss is a brilliant historian and a great writer whose books about US politics and history in the 20th century - especially after WWII - deservedly have received much praise, as should this one. At times, he throws around too many names with little or no introduction which makes it hard for non-historians to keep track of them all. At other times, he spends time and space on unnecessary details (e.g. exactly how many dollars Kennedy earned on a particular - unimportant - business deal), showing off his thorough research. The consequence of that was that I was a little bored at times, but then at other times, the book was difficult to put away - especially in the many chapters about WWII and the US isolationism until Pearl Harbor.
Readers with an interest in the New Deal era, WWII, the Kennedy clan, and US politics in general will not be disappointed by this brilliant piece of research from Michael R. Beschloss.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley]
Well, some 300 pages later I am so much more knowledgeable about the complex relationship dating before FDR became president to after his death, where Joseph Kennedy seemed to change his mind about FDR every few days or so, badmouthing him to journalists, business men, kings and queens (literally!) to name but a few.
Beschloss is a brilliant historian and a great writer whose books about US politics and history in the 20th century - especially after WWII - deservedly have received much praise, as should this one. At times, he throws around too many names with little or no introduction which makes it hard for non-historians to keep track of them all. At other times, he spends time and space on unnecessary details (e.g. exactly how many dollars Kennedy earned on a particular - unimportant - business deal), showing off his thorough research. The consequence of that was that I was a little bored at times, but then at other times, the book was difficult to put away - especially in the many chapters about WWII and the US isolationism until Pearl Harbor.
Readers with an interest in the New Deal era, WWII, the Kennedy clan, and US politics in general will not be disappointed by this brilliant piece of research from Michael R. Beschloss.
[An ARC of the book was generously provided by the publisher through NetGalley]
November 27, 2019
Michael Beschloss started his career as a presidential historian with this work, which began as his senior thesis at Williams College. The fact that he was only 24 when it was published makes it all the more impressive. Joseph P. Kennedy is often dismissed as an appeaser of Nazi Germany who ultimately embarrassed his sons when they went into politics. This book adds details which allow his actions and motives to be understood more clearly. The most entertaining part of the book for me as an admirer of FDR is to see his skills as a manipulator in action in dealing with Kennedy. While he does not come off as a nice fellow here, he is shown to have deep beliefs and the ability to put them into action. While I would have liked a bit more detail (especially about Roosevelt during the New Deal), I enjoyed this useful addition to the historical literature about this critical time in our history.
August 22, 2016
An enthralling and fascinating recounting of the ambiguous relationship between Joseph Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt: two very different men that deeply influenced each other’s lives and the future of the nation.
Kennedy was a successful business man, but not so fortunate as politician. Roosevelt, on the contrary, was a successful politician, but not so good as businessman. Two ambitious and determined men, that were enemies, but who still admired each other. The contrasts between the two men's lives and ways is fascinating and illuminating.
I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Open Road Media!
Kennedy was a successful business man, but not so fortunate as politician. Roosevelt, on the contrary, was a successful politician, but not so good as businessman. Two ambitious and determined men, that were enemies, but who still admired each other. The contrasts between the two men's lives and ways is fascinating and illuminating.
I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Open Road Media!
March 1, 2025
The friendship between Kennedy Sr. and FDR can be summarized in one word: transactional.
It was fascinating learning how strongly isolationistic Americans were prior to the attacks of Pearl Harbor. Kennedy Sr was one of main figures in the camps of isolation and appeasement to Nazi Germany while FDR was providing military aid to Great Britain. Is history repeating itself?
It was fascinating learning how strongly isolationistic Americans were prior to the attacks of Pearl Harbor. Kennedy Sr was one of main figures in the camps of isolation and appeasement to Nazi Germany while FDR was providing military aid to Great Britain. Is history repeating itself?
October 29, 2018
Politics
This is an interesting book. With all i have read about Roosevelt, i had never realized how much he was affected by Kennedy. The story of their relationship adds to the story of that president
This is an interesting book. With all i have read about Roosevelt, i had never realized how much he was affected by Kennedy. The story of their relationship adds to the story of that president
February 28, 2021
Provides insight about the many challenges both America and Europe faced mid-20th century. Roosevelt was a more complex person than I had imagined and Joseph Kennedy was a national leader for staying out of WW II.
March 16, 2024
Interesting story of the relationship that existed between FDR & Joseph Kennedy Sr. Well researched with lots of references to a variety of primary data. I'm not a big fan of Beschloss' writing however.
November 19, 2019
Quite interesting. It is true - Joseph Kennedy was a scum bag. And FDR a master manipulator. The same hatred of socialism as we see now...
November 15, 2020
An entertaining read and very relevant to today’s political world.
February 16, 2025
Great insights into the dynamics of the two men's relationship. Drawn not only from Kennedy's diaries, but lots of insights from their contemporaries.
August 22, 2016
Politics and business are the world of these two renowned men, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Joseph Kennedy, ranging in this analysis from the 1920s to the death of Roosevelt. The initial question that the author poses from the very first page is whether great politicians and those who serve them serve out of the public good or self-interest. While it might be hard to refrain from an automatic response, Beschloss does a fine job of depicting how these motives frequently operate singularly and equally operate hand-in-hand. Beschloff’s analysis attempts objectivity, citing only other supportive and opposing viewpoints on each issue challenging these men in the tumultuous times after both WWI and the Depression.
A concise but informative biography of each man begins this text, surprising the reader with the fact that both men suffered from social caste stigma, Roosevelt from his privileged background that shut him out from many youthful peers and Kennedy the Irish background that the upper class devalued in the days when the Irish fled the poverty and starvation of their home country. However, both men like their forbears clearly displayed the tenacity and charm necessary to make their way from unfriendly to friendly and supportive colleagues and friends. Perhaps this is what initially bonded both men to each other as close knit friends before their differences polarized them into a breach that could not be healed.
Franklin Roosevelt was a mediocre speculator in business at best and this is indeed ironical as he was the President who would attempt to heal the nation and Wall Street after disastrous financial performance or lack thereof. Kennedy, on the other hand, was astute in financial skills and we learn how his years as Chairman of the American Securities Exchange helped heal the Depression after-effects. The media’s relentless criticisms, analyses and support are described honestly and carefully.
Not to spoil the rest of the story, the friendship between these two men grew closer, much to the chagrin of many White House personnel and it wasn’t until the potential for another world war loomed large with the bombast of Adolf Hitler that the split began between Roosevelt and Kennedy. Multiple comments and editorials stated Roosevelt wanted war but that is not clear after reading these pages although we know Kennedy was consistently against war.
The other fascinating part of this book is the way Roosevelt played the men from whom he sought advice and to whom he seemed to promise undying devotion and friendship. It���s a frank, realistic look at the world of politics that really isn’t that different from what Americans are experiencing today. Public or personal interest? A worthy theme to examine openly and apply to the past and present, presented by an author who has clearly done his research and completely understands the “uneasy alliance” of which he writes. Highly recommended historical nonfiction.
A concise but informative biography of each man begins this text, surprising the reader with the fact that both men suffered from social caste stigma, Roosevelt from his privileged background that shut him out from many youthful peers and Kennedy the Irish background that the upper class devalued in the days when the Irish fled the poverty and starvation of their home country. However, both men like their forbears clearly displayed the tenacity and charm necessary to make their way from unfriendly to friendly and supportive colleagues and friends. Perhaps this is what initially bonded both men to each other as close knit friends before their differences polarized them into a breach that could not be healed.
Franklin Roosevelt was a mediocre speculator in business at best and this is indeed ironical as he was the President who would attempt to heal the nation and Wall Street after disastrous financial performance or lack thereof. Kennedy, on the other hand, was astute in financial skills and we learn how his years as Chairman of the American Securities Exchange helped heal the Depression after-effects. The media’s relentless criticisms, analyses and support are described honestly and carefully.
Not to spoil the rest of the story, the friendship between these two men grew closer, much to the chagrin of many White House personnel and it wasn’t until the potential for another world war loomed large with the bombast of Adolf Hitler that the split began between Roosevelt and Kennedy. Multiple comments and editorials stated Roosevelt wanted war but that is not clear after reading these pages although we know Kennedy was consistently against war.
The other fascinating part of this book is the way Roosevelt played the men from whom he sought advice and to whom he seemed to promise undying devotion and friendship. It���s a frank, realistic look at the world of politics that really isn’t that different from what Americans are experiencing today. Public or personal interest? A worthy theme to examine openly and apply to the past and present, presented by an author who has clearly done his research and completely understands the “uneasy alliance” of which he writes. Highly recommended historical nonfiction.
November 10, 2022
Impressive first outing for young Beschloss. Generally fair and balanced, but toward the end he strains hard to make a case for a falling-out between the two men. He unfortunately quotes a (fictitious? garbled?) story about FDR losing his temper and throwing JPK out of the Hyde Park house around Thanksgiving 1940. There's no record of this happening, or of JPK being at Hyde Park at this time, and it seems to rest entirely on a fanciful anecdote Eleanor told in later years. Relations were cordial between Roosevelt and Kennedy throughout this period (they met at least three times between late October and early December). There was however definitely friction between Kennedy and some of FDR's cabinet and advisors.
***Addendum: Beschloss was for some reason overeager to include this Hyde Park story, and to refute, in endnotes, biographer David Koskoff's assertion (1974) that JPK was in California with son Jack and W R Hearst during the period cited, and thus could not have been anywhere near Hyde Park. Koskoff also wrote (in his own endnotes) that the Presidential calendar shows FDR in residence at Hyde Park only from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Sunday (Nov 20-24, 1940). JPK would have been back in New York the following week, then traveled down to the White House at week's end (Sunday, December 1).
The story was first related by Eleanor, on Memorial Day 1960, to visiting Congressman Richard Bolling (this, according to Joseph Lash's diaries, and mentioned in Lash's Eleanor: The Years Alone, 1972). She later elaborated upon it in July at a friend's dinner party attended by Gore Vidal and Eleanor's 90-year-old uncle David Gray. Gore related his version of this yarn in a November 1971 review in the New York Review of Books; he later reproduced it, verbatim, in his 1995 memoir Palimpsest.
At the end of the day, it's at best a confused anecdote that Eleanor was telling in 1960 when she wished Adlai Stevenson to be the Democrat nominee once again. She was resentful of Jack Kennedy's early hammerlock on the nomination, which she credited to a sinister network set up by his fiendish father. Whether she made it up out of whole cloth, or was transposing remarks and events from other times and places, is an academic question. The story is simply untrue.
***Addendum: Beschloss was for some reason overeager to include this Hyde Park story, and to refute, in endnotes, biographer David Koskoff's assertion (1974) that JPK was in California with son Jack and W R Hearst during the period cited, and thus could not have been anywhere near Hyde Park. Koskoff also wrote (in his own endnotes) that the Presidential calendar shows FDR in residence at Hyde Park only from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Sunday (Nov 20-24, 1940). JPK would have been back in New York the following week, then traveled down to the White House at week's end (Sunday, December 1).
The story was first related by Eleanor, on Memorial Day 1960, to visiting Congressman Richard Bolling (this, according to Joseph Lash's diaries, and mentioned in Lash's Eleanor: The Years Alone, 1972). She later elaborated upon it in July at a friend's dinner party attended by Gore Vidal and Eleanor's 90-year-old uncle David Gray. Gore related his version of this yarn in a November 1971 review in the New York Review of Books; he later reproduced it, verbatim, in his 1995 memoir Palimpsest.
At the end of the day, it's at best a confused anecdote that Eleanor was telling in 1960 when she wished Adlai Stevenson to be the Democrat nominee once again. She was resentful of Jack Kennedy's early hammerlock on the nomination, which she credited to a sinister network set up by his fiendish father. Whether she made it up out of whole cloth, or was transposing remarks and events from other times and places, is an academic question. The story is simply untrue.
August 25, 2016
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Open Road Media, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would publish a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and my blog. I also posted the review to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.
I requested a copy of this book because I have a passion for American History and have read extensively about the two main individuals in the book. I have read several other books by Michael Beschloss and I have enjoyed them.
The author's writing style makes this book an enjoyable read. While he covers the many twists and turns in the relationship between Joseph Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt, Beschloss does not get bogged down in dry recitation of history instead making it read more like a story.
He clearly addresses the fact that Kennedy and Roosevelt were men with huge egos and very different approaches to getting things done. Each needed the other for various reasons, but over time they remained publicly civil to each other while being brutually honest on their dislike for each other with their confidants. Roosevelt was adept at playing the political game and getting Kennedy to generally go along with what he wanted to accomplish and using alternative avenues when he couldn't. Kenney was opinonated and outspoken with no filter to keep him from saying what he truly thought. He also refused offers from Roosevelt that he felt were beneath his abilities while lamenting to friends that he could do so much for the war effort, but failed to understand that it could not happen on his terms.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in American history and in particular the interplay between two figures who played prominent roles in the first half of the twentieth century.
I requested a copy of this book because I have a passion for American History and have read extensively about the two main individuals in the book. I have read several other books by Michael Beschloss and I have enjoyed them.
The author's writing style makes this book an enjoyable read. While he covers the many twists and turns in the relationship between Joseph Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt, Beschloss does not get bogged down in dry recitation of history instead making it read more like a story.
He clearly addresses the fact that Kennedy and Roosevelt were men with huge egos and very different approaches to getting things done. Each needed the other for various reasons, but over time they remained publicly civil to each other while being brutually honest on their dislike for each other with their confidants. Roosevelt was adept at playing the political game and getting Kennedy to generally go along with what he wanted to accomplish and using alternative avenues when he couldn't. Kenney was opinonated and outspoken with no filter to keep him from saying what he truly thought. He also refused offers from Roosevelt that he felt were beneath his abilities while lamenting to friends that he could do so much for the war effort, but failed to understand that it could not happen on his terms.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in American history and in particular the interplay between two figures who played prominent roles in the first half of the twentieth century.
August 30, 2016
This historical book was published more than 35 years ago and was the noted presidential historian's first published book. I was intrigued to read that he was in his twenties when it was first published, and that it started as his Williams College thesis.
For a book that strives to accurately document both a critical era in U.S. history and two important political figures, it is readable and engrossing. I am not a political or historical scholar and the detail bogged me down at times and the interaction between the principles seemed repetitive and/or redundant at times, but the interpersonal dynamics between the two supreme egotists was fascinating.
I have been schooled on the PBS historical highlights of Roosevelt's life and career and this book provided an opportunity to balance the scales for me. I have no doubt that the President was no more base or manipulative than other leaders, but Bechloss did not burnish his image in my opinion .
Joe Kennedy's accomplishments and disappointments were a fresh story for me and I enjoyed learning about his rise to prominence and his constant need foe affirmation of his importance.
Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For a book that strives to accurately document both a critical era in U.S. history and two important political figures, it is readable and engrossing. I am not a political or historical scholar and the detail bogged me down at times and the interaction between the principles seemed repetitive and/or redundant at times, but the interpersonal dynamics between the two supreme egotists was fascinating.
I have been schooled on the PBS historical highlights of Roosevelt's life and career and this book provided an opportunity to balance the scales for me. I have no doubt that the President was no more base or manipulative than other leaders, but Bechloss did not burnish his image in my opinion .
Joe Kennedy's accomplishments and disappointments were a fresh story for me and I enjoyed learning about his rise to prominence and his constant need foe affirmation of his importance.
Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2016
The Kennedy family has often held a special spot in most American’s life and especially those that are interested in the 20th Century History. While most books focus on the Kennedy’s put the emphasis on JFK and the Camelot years this one takes us back to before then. Despite multiple books on Joe Kennedy and FDR very little has been written about the titans together for a single book. The author Beschlos was able to write a compelling story that at times are hard to put down while others it was easy to. If you are looking for a book on this subject or even on the time period this book should be a right fit for you.
August 30, 2011
Franklin Roosevelt and Joseph were bitter enemies. Matters were not helped when the oldest Kennedy son was killed flying a two plane mission when the second plane was flown by Roosevelt's son. Roosevelt had social standing where as Kennedy acquired his wealth during prohibition.
December 6, 2016
Excellent history
This is a very well researched book on a great characters at a very critical time of the country. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and learned quite a lot of facts of FDR administration.
This is a very well researched book on a great characters at a very critical time of the country. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and learned quite a lot of facts of FDR administration.
August 10, 2021
#54 of 120 books pledged to read during 2021
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