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The Wars of the Roosevelts: The Ruthless Rise of America's Greatest Political Family
The award-winning author presents a provocative, thoroughly modern revisionist biographical history of one of America’s greatest and most influential families—the Roosevelts—exposing heretofore unknown family secrets and detailing complex family rivalries with his signature cinematic flair
Drawing on previously hidden historical documents and interviews with the long-silent “illegitimate” branch of the family, William J. Mann paints an elegant, meticulously researched and groundbreaking group portrait of this legendary family. Mann argues that the Roosevelts’ rise to power and prestige was actually driven by a series of intense, personal contests that at times devolved to blood sport. His compelling and eye-opening masterwork is the story of a family at war with itself, of social Darwinism at its most ruthless—in which the strong devoured the weak and repudiated the inconvenient.
Mann focuses on Eleanor Roosevelt, who, he argues, experienced this brutality firsthand, witnessing her Uncle Theodore cruelly destroy her father, Elliott—his brother and bitter rival—for political expediency. Mann presents a fascinating alternate picture of Eleanor, contending that this “worshipful niece” in fact bore a grudge against TR for the rest of her life, and dares to tell the truth about her intimate relationships without obfuscations, explanations, or labels.
Mann also brings into focus Eleanor’s cousins, TR’s children, whose stories propelled the family rivalry but have never before been fully chronicled, as well as her illegitimate half-brother, Elliott Roosevelt Mann, who inherited his family’s ambition and skill without their name and privilege. Growing up in poverty just miles from his wealthy relatives, Elliott Mann embodied the American Dream, rising to middle class prosperity and enjoying one of the very few happy, long-term marriages in the Roosevelt saga. For the first time, The Wars of the Roosevelts also includes the stories of Elliott’s daughter and grandchildren and never-before-seen photographs from their archives.
Deeply psychological and finely rendered, illustrated with sixteen pages of black-and-white photographs, The Wars of the Roosevelts illuminates not only the enviable strengths but also the profound shames of this remarkable and influential family.
Drawing on previously hidden historical documents and interviews with the long-silent “illegitimate” branch of the family, William J. Mann paints an elegant, meticulously researched and groundbreaking group portrait of this legendary family. Mann argues that the Roosevelts’ rise to power and prestige was actually driven by a series of intense, personal contests that at times devolved to blood sport. His compelling and eye-opening masterwork is the story of a family at war with itself, of social Darwinism at its most ruthless—in which the strong devoured the weak and repudiated the inconvenient.
Mann focuses on Eleanor Roosevelt, who, he argues, experienced this brutality firsthand, witnessing her Uncle Theodore cruelly destroy her father, Elliott—his brother and bitter rival—for political expediency. Mann presents a fascinating alternate picture of Eleanor, contending that this “worshipful niece” in fact bore a grudge against TR for the rest of her life, and dares to tell the truth about her intimate relationships without obfuscations, explanations, or labels.
Mann also brings into focus Eleanor’s cousins, TR’s children, whose stories propelled the family rivalry but have never before been fully chronicled, as well as her illegitimate half-brother, Elliott Roosevelt Mann, who inherited his family’s ambition and skill without their name and privilege. Growing up in poverty just miles from his wealthy relatives, Elliott Mann embodied the American Dream, rising to middle class prosperity and enjoying one of the very few happy, long-term marriages in the Roosevelt saga. For the first time, The Wars of the Roosevelts also includes the stories of Elliott’s daughter and grandchildren and never-before-seen photographs from their archives.
Deeply psychological and finely rendered, illustrated with sixteen pages of black-and-white photographs, The Wars of the Roosevelts illuminates not only the enviable strengths but also the profound shames of this remarkable and influential family.
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Published December 6, 2016
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About the author
William J. Mann
46 books252 followersAlso writes children's books under the pseudonym Geoffrey Huntington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
March 18, 2017
William Mann explores the personal differences between the Republican Oyster Bay Roosevelts and the Democratic Hyde Park Roosevelts. While he does not cover the political differences, he notes that despite the different parties, their progressive policies were similar. Through this study of their “wars”, you see that the issues were about clan and who should/would/could become the next Roosevelt president.
Mann begins with the patriarchic rule of Theodore Roosevelt: how he pushed children, institutionalized his brother Elliott (Eleanor’s father) and groomed his oldest son, Theodore Jr., to lead the political dynasty.
He notes how Alice, as the only child Theodore had with his first wife (who died in giving her birth), had to hold her own and compete with her step-brothers. Alice’s stepmother, Edith, considered herself Theodore’s only love since childhood and passed on to Alice her belief that Roosevelt did not love her interloping mother. Alice strove to be loved and recognized by her family-involved father, who clearly preferred the boys.
Eleanor’s socialite mother died when she was 6. How much of Eleanor’s father’s story was known to her as an adult is not known, but as a child she longed for him. She spent a lot of time with her Roosevelt cousins and was bullied as she strove to keep up not knowing that it was her uncle keeping her father away. She was the same age Alice who emerged as a beauty while Eleanor suffered in looks and confidence. There is a parallel story of a step-brother to Eleanor who was born of a romance of her father and a servant.
As it turned out, Theodore Jr. did not have the political gene. Alice tried, perhaps harder than he did, to establish him and secure the dynasty. The Oyster Bay Roosevelts were blind-sided as their cousin (common ancestor, 4 generations back) followed their father’s path (New York politics, US Navy) to success. Horror of horrors for Alice, he chose Eleanor over her!
Roosevelts inherit money, but some also get alcoholism and its lifestyle which has to be hidden, particularly in the age of prohibition and a time when divorce could wreck a public career. Theodore’s treatment of Eleanor’s father is cruel. Years later, Franklin, while keeping a distance, tries to help Theodore’s alcoholic son Kermit. WWII brings the family together, with the exception of Alice, who nearly sides with Nazi’s to dig her cousin, but by this time she is irrelevant.
There are great stories about the campaigns and how Eleanor comes out of her shell riding around in a teapot shaped vehicle, implicating her cousin in the Teapot Dome scandal. There are sad stores of Alice attempting, through husband and lover, to be at the center of things as the FDR barnstorm fully eclipses the Oyster Bay family branch. Once Eleanor is “liberated” you see her rise above all the family squabbles to work on behalf of people who appreciate her.
A few loose ends of history were tied up for me. From the character portrait that emerges of Theodore, you see why John Hay who had served Republican presidents in various diplomatic positions since Lincoln had to be convinced to work with Theodore. You also see his ambition and why he was driven to challenge Taft in a third party race. While I’ve read quite a bit on Eleanor, Mann’s treatment is most revealing on her hurt, her emergence and her service. It was new to me that in the end, Franklin had asked her to live with him again as his wife… but by this time, she had a full schedule of commitments.
The book is engagingly written, but was wordy at times. The genealogy chart at the beginning is very clear. There are a lot of b&w photos and they are precisely what you want to see. While not a “great” book, this is a very good and "notable" book and should be read for the insight it gives on this important family.
Mann begins with the patriarchic rule of Theodore Roosevelt: how he pushed children, institutionalized his brother Elliott (Eleanor’s father) and groomed his oldest son, Theodore Jr., to lead the political dynasty.
He notes how Alice, as the only child Theodore had with his first wife (who died in giving her birth), had to hold her own and compete with her step-brothers. Alice’s stepmother, Edith, considered herself Theodore’s only love since childhood and passed on to Alice her belief that Roosevelt did not love her interloping mother. Alice strove to be loved and recognized by her family-involved father, who clearly preferred the boys.
Eleanor’s socialite mother died when she was 6. How much of Eleanor’s father’s story was known to her as an adult is not known, but as a child she longed for him. She spent a lot of time with her Roosevelt cousins and was bullied as she strove to keep up not knowing that it was her uncle keeping her father away. She was the same age Alice who emerged as a beauty while Eleanor suffered in looks and confidence. There is a parallel story of a step-brother to Eleanor who was born of a romance of her father and a servant.
As it turned out, Theodore Jr. did not have the political gene. Alice tried, perhaps harder than he did, to establish him and secure the dynasty. The Oyster Bay Roosevelts were blind-sided as their cousin (common ancestor, 4 generations back) followed their father’s path (New York politics, US Navy) to success. Horror of horrors for Alice, he chose Eleanor over her!
Roosevelts inherit money, but some also get alcoholism and its lifestyle which has to be hidden, particularly in the age of prohibition and a time when divorce could wreck a public career. Theodore’s treatment of Eleanor’s father is cruel. Years later, Franklin, while keeping a distance, tries to help Theodore’s alcoholic son Kermit. WWII brings the family together, with the exception of Alice, who nearly sides with Nazi’s to dig her cousin, but by this time she is irrelevant.
There are great stories about the campaigns and how Eleanor comes out of her shell riding around in a teapot shaped vehicle, implicating her cousin in the Teapot Dome scandal. There are sad stores of Alice attempting, through husband and lover, to be at the center of things as the FDR barnstorm fully eclipses the Oyster Bay family branch. Once Eleanor is “liberated” you see her rise above all the family squabbles to work on behalf of people who appreciate her.
A few loose ends of history were tied up for me. From the character portrait that emerges of Theodore, you see why John Hay who had served Republican presidents in various diplomatic positions since Lincoln had to be convinced to work with Theodore. You also see his ambition and why he was driven to challenge Taft in a third party race. While I’ve read quite a bit on Eleanor, Mann’s treatment is most revealing on her hurt, her emergence and her service. It was new to me that in the end, Franklin had asked her to live with him again as his wife… but by this time, she had a full schedule of commitments.
The book is engagingly written, but was wordy at times. The genealogy chart at the beginning is very clear. There are a lot of b&w photos and they are precisely what you want to see. While not a “great” book, this is a very good and "notable" book and should be read for the insight it gives on this important family.
February 5, 2017
Did you see the recent Ken Burns documentary of Ted, Franklin, and Eleanor? I thought it was so interesting, enjoyed it very much. The Wars of the Roosevelts covers the same trio and much of the basic information is necessarily the same. But Wars has much more detail, everyday goings on, scandals, and even gossip. It's light on politics but rich in personality, going into backbiting on the campaign trail, who's having affairs with whom, and so on. I loved it, it was every bit as fascinating as the Ken Burns.
February 6, 2017
Edgar Award-winning biographer and novelist William J. Mann (TINSELTOWN) acknowledges at the start of this captivating, ambitious and hefty biography that the feuding branches of the Roosevelt dynasty have become well-trod territory for historians. But Mann is a superb historian and researcher, rarely parroting previous tales without investigating their validity. This often leads him to revisionist perspectives on familiar subjects, and THE WARS OF THE ROOSEVELTS certainly gives fans of historical biographies a fresh look at Theodore Roosevelt's relationship with his alcoholic brother, Elliott (father of Eleanor, who later married her cousin Franklin Roosevelt), his three legitimate children (Alice, Ted Jr. and Kermit) and one illegitimate son (Elliott Roosevelt Mann--no relation to the author).
As expected in any biography covering the lives of two United States presidents, there is plenty of political intrigue, backstabbing and jockeying for power. But what makes Mann's nearly 650-page biography so mesmerizing is the personal drama of an expansive political family at war for nearly a century. Mann's fresh revelations come from new interviews with a number of the Roosevelt family descendants (including Elliott Mann's daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter). While Mann casts no one as a villain, this family portrait leaves no one unscathed or blameless.
THE WARS OF THE ROOSEVELTS is as meticulously researched as it is beautifully written and authoritatively intimate. It's also as juicy as a beach novel, with revelations of mistresses, gay affairs, numerous suicides, neglect, dysfunction and family grudges held until the grave. In short, it's the kind of history book that encourages new generations to become historians.
William Mann's meticulously researched portrait of the supremely dysfunctional Roosevelt family dynasty reads like a juicy novel.
As expected in any biography covering the lives of two United States presidents, there is plenty of political intrigue, backstabbing and jockeying for power. But what makes Mann's nearly 650-page biography so mesmerizing is the personal drama of an expansive political family at war for nearly a century. Mann's fresh revelations come from new interviews with a number of the Roosevelt family descendants (including Elliott Mann's daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter). While Mann casts no one as a villain, this family portrait leaves no one unscathed or blameless.
THE WARS OF THE ROOSEVELTS is as meticulously researched as it is beautifully written and authoritatively intimate. It's also as juicy as a beach novel, with revelations of mistresses, gay affairs, numerous suicides, neglect, dysfunction and family grudges held until the grave. In short, it's the kind of history book that encourages new generations to become historians.
William Mann's meticulously researched portrait of the supremely dysfunctional Roosevelt family dynasty reads like a juicy novel.
November 17, 2016
I received an uncorrected proof copy of this book from HarperCollins.
This comprehensive family biography covers the rise and fall of the Roosevelt family in national prominence between the years of 1890 through 1962. Primarily focusing on four individuals - Theodore, his daughter Alice, Franklin, and Eleanor - the book explores the interfamily relationships and how the fiercely competitive Roosevelts were ruthless in pursuit of their goals, even when (and sometimes especially when) it came to their relatives.
In this well-researched account, Mann argues that it was internal competition that often propelled members of the Roosevelt family, and presents insightful reflections on their inner motivations. For instance, Mann sheds light on the ruthless treatment of Elliott Roosevelt by his brother Theodore. Always competitive with one another, Theodore used his brother's infidelity and alcoholism to separate his brother from his family and children, ultimately leading to Elliot's descent into complete mental illness and alcohol and drug abuse, followed by death. Mann argues that Eleanor, who was deeply devoted to her father Elliott, forever resented her uncle Theodore's treatment of her father. What previous authors have chalked up to Theodore's fondness for his nice, Mann attributes to Theodore's secret guilt over the treatment of his brother: "His fondness seems to have been brewed from a mix of grief, pity, and possibly (deep down and unacknowledged) guilt. He was clear-eyed enough to know that the girl's unhappiness was due largely to his own actions; had he not broken up her family, she might still have been living with her father" (54).
Mann also covers the animosity between the Oyster Bay and Hyde Park factions of the family. The Oyster Bay relatives (including Theodore's adult children) felt that the Hyde Park relatives (including Franklin and Eleanor) had usurped their rightful place in the political limelight and national prestige. This division was long lasting and painful for both sides. This split can by seen clearly in the division between Theodore's daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth and her cousin Eleanor. As the daughter of the president, Alice was a media darling and basked in national attention, which she felt was stripped away from her and unrightfully awarded to her gangly and awkward cousin Eleanor. Mann does an excellent job of conveying Alice's complex personality, much of which was already covered in Hissing Cousins: The Untold Story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth by Mark Peyser and Timothy Dwyer.
Although the greatest focus of the book was given to Eleanor, Mann does a good job of touching on most of the prominent family members. In particular, I enjoyed his inclusion of Elliott Roosevelt Mann, the illegitimate son of Eleanor's father Elliott, whom previous biographies have excluded. Although raised by his mother, an immigrant seamstress, and without any funds or contact with his father's family, Elliott looked just like his father and had the work ethic and drive that Theodore would have greatly admired. He seems to have born the Roosevelts no grudge, and even named his daughter after his half-sister Eleanor, who he admired from afar for his whole life.
As with any family biography, there is much that Mann could not cover. For instance, he sums up Theodore's harrowing trip in the Amazon in two paragraphs, while Candice Millard spent a whole book on this journey in The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey. However, this was an excellent look at the family as a whole and provided insightful psychological insight into this famous American family.
This comprehensive family biography covers the rise and fall of the Roosevelt family in national prominence between the years of 1890 through 1962. Primarily focusing on four individuals - Theodore, his daughter Alice, Franklin, and Eleanor - the book explores the interfamily relationships and how the fiercely competitive Roosevelts were ruthless in pursuit of their goals, even when (and sometimes especially when) it came to their relatives.
In this well-researched account, Mann argues that it was internal competition that often propelled members of the Roosevelt family, and presents insightful reflections on their inner motivations. For instance, Mann sheds light on the ruthless treatment of Elliott Roosevelt by his brother Theodore. Always competitive with one another, Theodore used his brother's infidelity and alcoholism to separate his brother from his family and children, ultimately leading to Elliot's descent into complete mental illness and alcohol and drug abuse, followed by death. Mann argues that Eleanor, who was deeply devoted to her father Elliott, forever resented her uncle Theodore's treatment of her father. What previous authors have chalked up to Theodore's fondness for his nice, Mann attributes to Theodore's secret guilt over the treatment of his brother: "His fondness seems to have been brewed from a mix of grief, pity, and possibly (deep down and unacknowledged) guilt. He was clear-eyed enough to know that the girl's unhappiness was due largely to his own actions; had he not broken up her family, she might still have been living with her father" (54).
Mann also covers the animosity between the Oyster Bay and Hyde Park factions of the family. The Oyster Bay relatives (including Theodore's adult children) felt that the Hyde Park relatives (including Franklin and Eleanor) had usurped their rightful place in the political limelight and national prestige. This division was long lasting and painful for both sides. This split can by seen clearly in the division between Theodore's daughter Alice Roosevelt Longworth and her cousin Eleanor. As the daughter of the president, Alice was a media darling and basked in national attention, which she felt was stripped away from her and unrightfully awarded to her gangly and awkward cousin Eleanor. Mann does an excellent job of conveying Alice's complex personality, much of which was already covered in Hissing Cousins: The Untold Story of Eleanor Roosevelt and Alice Roosevelt Longworth by Mark Peyser and Timothy Dwyer.
Although the greatest focus of the book was given to Eleanor, Mann does a good job of touching on most of the prominent family members. In particular, I enjoyed his inclusion of Elliott Roosevelt Mann, the illegitimate son of Eleanor's father Elliott, whom previous biographies have excluded. Although raised by his mother, an immigrant seamstress, and without any funds or contact with his father's family, Elliott looked just like his father and had the work ethic and drive that Theodore would have greatly admired. He seems to have born the Roosevelts no grudge, and even named his daughter after his half-sister Eleanor, who he admired from afar for his whole life.
As with any family biography, there is much that Mann could not cover. For instance, he sums up Theodore's harrowing trip in the Amazon in two paragraphs, while Candice Millard spent a whole book on this journey in The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey. However, this was an excellent look at the family as a whole and provided insightful psychological insight into this famous American family.
April 6, 2017
3.5 Fascinating non-fiction. The book starts with President Teddy Roosevelt, and ends with the death of Eleanor Roosevelt. Provides in-depth analyses and facts that factored in the development of the Roosevelt personalities. Includes historical details but focuses primarily on the human side and interactions and rivalries of the families. This book gave me a better insight into how politics works. Just because one has great talents, ideas, and ability, cannot get elected unless one 'plays' politics. Both educational and very interesting. A very good book but a rather long read.
December 29, 2016
I had mixed feelings about this book at the same time I could not put it down. It is very well researched and presented but I was uncomfortable with the focus on the saddest aspects of the lives of this family. It is, at the least, timely in indicating that people with character flaws can persevere and make significant contributions to their country.
December 28, 2016
I guess there is very little ground to break when it comes to the political careers of Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt. It is a relief to finally know that they shared a distant great-grandfather who emigrated from Holland to New Amsterdam in the mid-17th C. Franklin and Theodore were fifth cousins; future first lady Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt was Teddy's niece, the daughter of his brother, Elliot. Anyway, Teddy was often a bastard. He hounded Eleanor's father half to death. It seems that the Roosevelts had a weak gene. In every generation, some of the boys were alcoholics attracted to a dissipated life, often shared by working class women of whom their families strongly disapproved. Franklin seemed to handle this somewhat better, and raised his children with a healthy dose of neglect, but with much more kindness than Teddy managed. Even when he knew he was overbearing, Theodore Roosevelt simply could not stop pushing his children. The enmity between the Oyster Bay and Hyde Park Roosevelts came from political competition. Theodore Roosevelt was a progressive Republican, but after he left office, the progressive mantle passed to the Democrats, with the Republicans reverting to type with Taft, and then Harding, Coolidge and Hoover. That left Franklin, who had recovered from his illness, to pick up Teddy's banner. His children, especially Ted, Jr, who was an unsuccessful politician but a splendid soldier, were forced to move to the right of their father, and never were able to regain the momentum politically. Of course, the Teddy Roosevelt side thought the Franklin side not only stole their political program, but rubbed their noses in it. Reconciliation did take place eventually, after all the men vying for power were gone. 4 stars
February 26, 2017
Great read. The story of Eleanor Roosevelt anchored this book around the families of Franklin, Teddy, and the lesser known Elliott Roosevelt. It's funny how history tends to gloss over some of the ugly of these legendary figures in US history... and there was a lot of shocking ugly as each Roosevelt tried to vie for the "Iron Throne" if you will, regardless of the cost. Bottom line, there are skeletons in every closet no matter how revered you are or how spotless history tries to paint you...
January 3, 2017
Meh. Other than the information about Eleanor Roosevelt's illegitimate half-brother there wasn't anything here I hadn't read before, and a lot of things I felt were pertinent to a better understanding of the Roosevelts were left out. Curiously unsympathetic towards the entire family, I thought.
November 5, 2022
Spanning a number of generations and countless Roosevelts, this history grabs you by carefully shining light on multiple family members at once. Exactly how the Hyde Park Roosevelts and the Oyster Bay Roosevelts interacted is shown, as well as individual characters’ doings. In particular, I saw sides of Theodore’s behavior toward his brother Elliott that took some gleam off his reputation. While most of the info regarding Franklin was at least somewhat familiar to me, there were large parts about Eleanor that were new and truly fascinating. Fine read.
April 11, 2017
Mann delves into the drama and conflict and rivalries into the Roosevelt family. It all started with Theodore Roosevelt's rivalry with h is brother Elliot and his determination to undermine Elliot's confidence. This led to Elliot's daughter Eleanor becoming Teddy's favorite which alienated my favorite Roosevelt Alice and caused a rivalry between cousin Eleanor and Alice. This gets three stars because Mann seems to drone on and on.
December 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I would actually give it 4.5 stars. I have read many books about the Roosevelts over the years but none focused on the relationship’s between the 2 families. I learned little tidbits I had never known before. The only reason I held back on giving 5 stars is because I did sense s bias towards the Hyde Park Roosevelts. Teddy was portrayed as a self centered harsh man. For his position and the responsibilities he had in the family and his strong sense of right and wrong I found this disingenuous.
February 20, 2018
Take everything negative you can find about the Roosevelts and put it in a book, and you get this book which reads like an 80s drama series along the lines of Dynasty or Dallas. Who would have thought that these people could be so mean to one another. It's all a race to see who can be the biggest bastard, bitch, drunkard, or womanizer. It's all very sad, yet perversely interesting. I felt as if I was at the checkout stand trying to read the National Inquirer without getting caught by my fellow shoppers.
Very sad.
I recommend for all you voyeurs out there.
Very sad.
I recommend for all you voyeurs out there.
August 29, 2020
Powerfully written. Profound insights. Personalities exposed!!
This is an awesome read. It comes as close to a biography of Eleanor herself as I have ever read!
Only regret was that my Kindle edition did not include the photos referenced.
BTW - is the author a descendant of Katie Mann?
This is an awesome read. It comes as close to a biography of Eleanor herself as I have ever read!
Only regret was that my Kindle edition did not include the photos referenced.
BTW - is the author a descendant of Katie Mann?
October 3, 2021
Warning, this book reads like a fiction novel because it is full of drama. The book covers all the major players from Teddy and his siblings to the deaths of the off-springs. Some things done by the family, to other family members are just shocking!!! There is good here, but also so much ugly. There were times when I wanted to slap someone, other times I wanted to comfort someone, and at one point wished I could take someone home and let them live with me. I found the book fantastic.
I did the audio and the narrator is easy to understand and speaks clearly so that you don't miss a thing.
I did the audio and the narrator is easy to understand and speaks clearly so that you don't miss a thing.
February 20, 2017
I've enjoyed William Mann's books on Hollywood history and now he has turned to political history. This biography of the Roosevelt family centers on the dysfunction, alcoholism and depression which ran through several generations. We see Theodore's callous if understandable for the time treatment of his brother Elliot's addictions. Mann details the life of the "secret" Roosevelt-Elliot's son with a servant girl. The tragedy of Kermit Roosevelt is also followed at length. The bitter feud between the Hyde Park and Oyster Bay Roosevelts-exacerbated by FDR's election-is discussed at length, with the sharply observant Alice Roosevelt Longworth contrasted with the public service of cousin Eleanor. Seeing this I thought "Not another Roosevelt book" but I have greatly enjoyed along with the recent works on Eleanor by Blanche Cook, and the new works about Missy LeHand and Lorena Hickock. I can't learn enough about this family!
January 15, 2017
Fascinating, richly detailed story of the feuds, squabbles and secrets in the Roosevelt family. At times the reveals are shocking, making the book difficult to put down. You will never think of the Roosevelts in the same way again, as their human weaknesses and family struggles are exposed. Gripping reading.
July 25, 2020
It's a little weird because part of my reading this actually coincided with my watching of Mrs America so I can't help but wonder that proverbial "What If" either Alice or Eleanor Roosevelt had run for Vice President or President. One almost wonders, if they had been born later, would they have had greater success? Maybe, maybe not, as I think a lot of the power and notoriety came from the name.
When we cut to 2020 and my imperfect memory of recent (by recent I mean 20th century) American History I can say I only really knew Teddy for two things: a.) the Teddy Bear and b.) conservation efforts. As for Franklin, I went on a field trip once in Elementary school and I remember being shown a house he stayed in but I can't for the life of me remember where it was. Mostly what I knew of him was that he had a.) polio and b.) condoning Japanese concentration camps in America.
Initially when I began reading this I worried I had bitten off more than I could chew. This was a big, dense read. Thankfully the author's near novel-like prose saved me from abandoning this. So what have I learned?
a.) I'm still scandalized that Teddy Roosevelt committed his own brother to an asylum for drinking and women. Poor Elliot.
b.) These Roosevelt men (and sometimes women!) had mistresses (misters?) a-plenty! I mean, I'm not surprised but I always feel for the wives (at least, when they care).
c.) I can't ever remember learning about Eleanor Roosevelt in my plentiful American History classes. I seemed to have one every time I changed schools.
d.) It's a shame Alice was so bitter.
e.) Also, I'm sorry but the name Kermit is far too distracting. I always think of the frog first... even though yes, you lived and died long before his creation.
The focus was mostly on Theodore, Franklin, Alice and Eleanor with some of the siblings/children flitting in and out. I mean, with such a sprawling family (who also like to recycle the same names) it would be impossible to cover everyone (and probably far too confusing). It was already jarringly confusing that Theodore Jr had a wife called Eleanor.
All in all, an interesting if rather politically dense read.
When we cut to 2020 and my imperfect memory of recent (by recent I mean 20th century) American History I can say I only really knew Teddy for two things: a.) the Teddy Bear and b.) conservation efforts. As for Franklin, I went on a field trip once in Elementary school and I remember being shown a house he stayed in but I can't for the life of me remember where it was. Mostly what I knew of him was that he had a.) polio and b.) condoning Japanese concentration camps in America.
Initially when I began reading this I worried I had bitten off more than I could chew. This was a big, dense read. Thankfully the author's near novel-like prose saved me from abandoning this. So what have I learned?
a.) I'm still scandalized that Teddy Roosevelt committed his own brother to an asylum for drinking and women. Poor Elliot.
b.) These Roosevelt men (and sometimes women!) had mistresses (misters?) a-plenty! I mean, I'm not surprised but I always feel for the wives (at least, when they care).
c.) I can't ever remember learning about Eleanor Roosevelt in my plentiful American History classes. I seemed to have one every time I changed schools.
d.) It's a shame Alice was so bitter.
e.) Also, I'm sorry but the name Kermit is far too distracting. I always think of the frog first... even though yes, you lived and died long before his creation.
The focus was mostly on Theodore, Franklin, Alice and Eleanor with some of the siblings/children flitting in and out. I mean, with such a sprawling family (who also like to recycle the same names) it would be impossible to cover everyone (and probably far too confusing). It was already jarringly confusing that Theodore Jr had a wife called Eleanor.
All in all, an interesting if rather politically dense read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2025
The Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, maybe even the Civil War, these were the wars the Roosevelts fought in. These are what I was expecting to be chronicled in this book. Fighting for one’s country was a sense of duty to Roosevelt family. But this was not what I got. There was very little mention in this book of what I considered the wars of the Roosevelts.
Perhaps this volume should have been titled the Wars Among the Roosevelts. This was what the author was looking to examine. Anything that indicated disagreement between the two factions or within one of the factions of the Roosevelt family was fair game. One example is the excessive drinking of Theodore Roosevelts brother. And the fact that he died so young. And if you listen to the author it was all TR’s fault. His tough love what killed his brother. We now know that if an alcoholic is not willing to help themselves there is very little one can do to help them.
In fact, much of this, while well written, comes across as not much better than a gossip rag. If it was bad or could be portrayed as such? It made the story. If not it was barely mentioned or not mentioned at all. It’s as if the entire Roosevelt clan did nothing good. TR seems to be especially targeted for scorn. I did learn some things about the family so the book wasn’t completely without merit.
Perhaps this volume should have been titled the Wars Among the Roosevelts. This was what the author was looking to examine. Anything that indicated disagreement between the two factions or within one of the factions of the Roosevelt family was fair game. One example is the excessive drinking of Theodore Roosevelts brother. And the fact that he died so young. And if you listen to the author it was all TR’s fault. His tough love what killed his brother. We now know that if an alcoholic is not willing to help themselves there is very little one can do to help them.
In fact, much of this, while well written, comes across as not much better than a gossip rag. If it was bad or could be portrayed as such? It made the story. If not it was barely mentioned or not mentioned at all. It’s as if the entire Roosevelt clan did nothing good. TR seems to be especially targeted for scorn. I did learn some things about the family so the book wasn’t completely without merit.
August 31, 2025
Enjoyable story of the Roosevelt family in politics, with a big emphasis on the Oyster Bay Branch. After TR's death in 1919, there was a dispute over who would pick up his mantle, TR junior helped by Sister Alice Longworth, or the "Democrat Roosevelts" led by FDR and Eleanor. After reading the book, it would've been much better if TR junior had been elected in 1940, instead of FDR.
The author goes into the life of Black Sheep Kermit Roosevelt, and writes a bit about TR junior and his wife. As expected, the author paints the Oyster Bay Roosevelts as "Turning their back on poor Kermit" when he left his wife for another women and continued to booze it up, and attacks them for being "heartless". I dunno. The Roosevelts lived by a code, and Kermit knew what he was doing when he broke it. Its a sad tale, and as Archie Roosevelt said "Maybe Kermit's suicide was for the best".
Mann claims, without much evidence, that FDR wanted Eleanor to stay home and be his fulltime wife in 1942. And that after Eleanor turned him down, Lucy Mercer started visiting the White House.
Overall a good read. But the author spends far too much time on Eleanor's friendship with "Hick" and her support for civil rights (which was very minor).
The author goes into the life of Black Sheep Kermit Roosevelt, and writes a bit about TR junior and his wife. As expected, the author paints the Oyster Bay Roosevelts as "Turning their back on poor Kermit" when he left his wife for another women and continued to booze it up, and attacks them for being "heartless". I dunno. The Roosevelts lived by a code, and Kermit knew what he was doing when he broke it. Its a sad tale, and as Archie Roosevelt said "Maybe Kermit's suicide was for the best".
Mann claims, without much evidence, that FDR wanted Eleanor to stay home and be his fulltime wife in 1942. And that after Eleanor turned him down, Lucy Mercer started visiting the White House.
Overall a good read. But the author spends far too much time on Eleanor's friendship with "Hick" and her support for civil rights (which was very minor).
December 28, 2021
I've read several different books about the Roosevelt family in different ways but had a harder time getting through this one. This one has more of a tabloid feel than an unbiased, comprehensive history. The focus is the feuding/affairs/problems that the Roosevelts had with each other - the primary grouping being the Oyster Bay Roosevelts (Theodore and family) and the Hyde Park Roosevelts (Franklin and Eleanor family). It digs into all the mistakes people made and the various public and non-public fighting with each other. Of course, no one is perfect but this is certainly biased more to all their problems with less on the significant contributions made by the Roosevelt family. It is not very comprehensive, it skips over some years as it jumps from one troubled time to the next.
If you want to learn more about the Roosevelts, I would recommend two really good books in Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough which is about Theodore Roosevelt, and Freedom from Fear by David Kennedy which is a broader history of the WWII/Depression-era but has a ton about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Or watch the Ken Burns documentary series on the Roosevelts.
If you want to learn more about the Roosevelts, I would recommend two really good books in Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough which is about Theodore Roosevelt, and Freedom from Fear by David Kennedy which is a broader history of the WWII/Depression-era but has a ton about Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Or watch the Ken Burns documentary series on the Roosevelts.
March 17, 2018
If like me, you've read at least ten books about the Roosevelts, you might want to add this one. It's well written and I believe, well researched. Much of the material has been covered before, but the dynamics between the members of the families are interesting. It certainly points out how all families have problems.
If you haven't read about the Roosevelts, this should probably not be the first book you read unless you are studying family dynamics.
There is the famous Oyster Bay (Theodore) vs. Hyde Park (Franklin) feud, which intensifies with Franklin's political success (four terms, really!). There is also the arguments between the siblings. As one imagines, having a father like Teddy Roosevelt does not make life easy. Expectations are high.
And then there is Eleanor--a "Oyster Bay Roosevelt" by birth, but a "Hyde Park Roosevelt" by marriage.
I'm not sure this is a "ruthless rise"--both Roosevelts wanted to make the world a better place. They just wanted to do so without the other branch.
If you haven't read about the Roosevelts, this should probably not be the first book you read unless you are studying family dynamics.
There is the famous Oyster Bay (Theodore) vs. Hyde Park (Franklin) feud, which intensifies with Franklin's political success (four terms, really!). There is also the arguments between the siblings. As one imagines, having a father like Teddy Roosevelt does not make life easy. Expectations are high.
And then there is Eleanor--a "Oyster Bay Roosevelt" by birth, but a "Hyde Park Roosevelt" by marriage.
I'm not sure this is a "ruthless rise"--both Roosevelts wanted to make the world a better place. They just wanted to do so without the other branch.
July 12, 2020
Woo, took awhile to get through this one but I got there. Good stuff. A bit wordy at times, I found myself scanning and still picking up the key stuff at a few points- but the whole book is well put together, it covers a lot of ground, and it all comes together satisfactorily. It’s interesting stuff, and i feel like the insight into how political families might operate is really valuable. Shout out to Kermit, my poor misanthrope main man- “River of Doubt” is a shorter read covering Kermit and Teddy’s trip down an unexplored Amazonian tributary, and it combines really well with this read. You just kinda get a sense for how Kermit operated when he still had his stuff together, and it helps make what transpires in this book extra tragic. Oh, and I have a huge newfound respect for Eleanor, so that’s something. That’s kinda a nice part of this all- there’s plenty on Fdr’s presidency, but in examining the relationships this book kinda manages to show how Eleanor’s own politics and voice came to be, and that’s friggin great.
July 7, 2017
Wars of the Roosevelts covers the long rivalry between the Oyster Bay Roosevelts (Teddy & Alice Roosevelt) versus the Hyde Park Roosevelts (Franklin and Eleanor). Mann starts off by saying he is not trying to cover familiar ground, instead giving more context and insight into the infighting that took place within the family that most arguably shaped the 20th century.
Wars of the Roosevelts does cover some familiar ground for readers who have read previous Roosevelt biographies but Mann does live up to the promise of the book. Although I feel that some areas got a bit more coverage than warranted or deserved. I would have preferred some more information about the later generations of the Roosevelts as well.
Overall though, the book does offer some interesting information on one of the most important families in America's history. Anyone interested in the Roosevelts will likely want to pick this up.
Wars of the Roosevelts does cover some familiar ground for readers who have read previous Roosevelt biographies but Mann does live up to the promise of the book. Although I feel that some areas got a bit more coverage than warranted or deserved. I would have preferred some more information about the later generations of the Roosevelts as well.
Overall though, the book does offer some interesting information on one of the most important families in America's history. Anyone interested in the Roosevelts will likely want to pick this up.
February 3, 2018
This is a very well researched book on a great political family. Several of the members of the family are well known figures. If you are a fan of TR, FDR or Eleanor prepare to be disillusioned when you see how shabbily they treated each other and their family members. Despite their greatness on the political and military stage, they were a very dysfunctional family. I have always been a fan of TR. His treatment of his brother was appalling. I have never cared for FDR or his wife. I thought of them as vile, autocratic publicity hounds. My view did not change, though I do understand the reasons for their behavior more than I did. Reading the book did peak my curiosity in the life of Ted, Junior.
From the standpoint of historical research and insight I have no complaints with Mann's work. I did find that the subject matter was like watching a car accident. If you are interested in the Roosevelts or reading about the dirty laundry of the rich and famous, this is a good book to read.
From the standpoint of historical research and insight I have no complaints with Mann's work. I did find that the subject matter was like watching a car accident. If you are interested in the Roosevelts or reading about the dirty laundry of the rich and famous, this is a good book to read.
September 20, 2024
Got this audiobook from the library's Libby app. It was a book about the Roosevelts that I had not seen before.
Reads like a hatchet-job of the whole Roosevelt family, most especially TR. I just find it hard to believe that every other historian who has studied Theodore could come to a different conclusion about how and why he treated his brother Elliott the way he did. If this author is to be believed, TR tried repeatedly to have his brother committed for political reasons, because of his extramarital affairs, while downplaying the fact that Elliott was downing BOTTLES of hard liquor every day and was a danger to his wife and family.
I stuck around to find out more about the younger generations, of which very little is written. Of course, based upon the above, I don't know how much of the information provided is true. No one really comes off very well in this book, which makes me wonder the motivation behind it.
Reads like a hatchet-job of the whole Roosevelt family, most especially TR. I just find it hard to believe that every other historian who has studied Theodore could come to a different conclusion about how and why he treated his brother Elliott the way he did. If this author is to be believed, TR tried repeatedly to have his brother committed for political reasons, because of his extramarital affairs, while downplaying the fact that Elliott was downing BOTTLES of hard liquor every day and was a danger to his wife and family.
I stuck around to find out more about the younger generations, of which very little is written. Of course, based upon the above, I don't know how much of the information provided is true. No one really comes off very well in this book, which makes me wonder the motivation behind it.
February 21, 2020
Not sure why it took me forever to read this book but it did and I’m finally finished.
Very interesting read, I knew of the feud between the Roosevelt branches but never of the extent and how long the feud had lasted! William Mann has written an incredibly researched and detailed book of this history. While filled with facts, this doesn’t read as a dry history tome - the reader feels empathy, frustration, and admiration for each of the “characters.” Being able to make the reader feel they actually KNOW these these iconic giants of US history - wether Theadore, Franklin, Eleanor, and even Alice - is a gift.
I’ve read some of Mann’s fiction and knew he had written history studies as well, was so glad to have found this and be introduced to his non-fiction this way.
Very interesting read, I knew of the feud between the Roosevelt branches but never of the extent and how long the feud had lasted! William Mann has written an incredibly researched and detailed book of this history. While filled with facts, this doesn’t read as a dry history tome - the reader feels empathy, frustration, and admiration for each of the “characters.” Being able to make the reader feel they actually KNOW these these iconic giants of US history - wether Theadore, Franklin, Eleanor, and even Alice - is a gift.
I’ve read some of Mann’s fiction and knew he had written history studies as well, was so glad to have found this and be introduced to his non-fiction this way.
June 23, 2020
I never realized how much animosity existed between the Democratic and Republican branches of the Roosevelt families until I read this book. Mann's book amply illustrates just how ruthless both sides of the family were not only in projecting success but in concealing flaws.
When I finished this excellent non-fiction work I came away with a very sad feeling for the Roosevelts. Despite all their wealth and success, the Roosevelt families faced a great deal of tragedy much of which was brought on by certain members of the respective families.
Despite all the efforts to glamorize both Teddy Roosevelt and FDR, they were in the end very human with all of the failings we common folks deal with every day. Perhaps that's what makes their successes all the more remarkable.
When I finished this excellent non-fiction work I came away with a very sad feeling for the Roosevelts. Despite all their wealth and success, the Roosevelt families faced a great deal of tragedy much of which was brought on by certain members of the respective families.
Despite all the efforts to glamorize both Teddy Roosevelt and FDR, they were in the end very human with all of the failings we common folks deal with every day. Perhaps that's what makes their successes all the more remarkable.
August 11, 2017
This is a book about the rivalry between the Franklin Roosevelt and the Theodore Roosevelt families. The Roosevelts’ rise to power and prestige was driven by a series of personal contests that devolved into blood sport. This is the story of a family at war with itself, of social Darwinism at its most ruthless. There is a focus on Eleanor Roosevelt, who witnessed her Uncle Theodore destroy her father, Elliott for political expediency. It images both families in a very poor light and makes us think twice about our perceptions of both families and their members. While I anticipated a insightful novel, it often gets bogged down in details that are not significant to the story.
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