The Definitive FDR: Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox (1882–1940) and Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom

by James MacGregor Burns

A Pulitzer Prize–winning historian’s dramatic biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, US president during the Depression and WWII. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the longest serving president in US history, reshaping the country during the crises of the Great Depression and World War II. James MacGregor Burns’s magisterial two-volume biography tells the complete life story of the fascinating political figure who instituted the New Deal.   The Lion and the Fox (1882–1940): Before his ascension to the presidency, FDR laid the groundwork for his unprecedented run with decades of canny political maneuvering and steady consolidation of power. Hailed by the New York Times as “a sensitive, shrewd, and challenging book” and by Newsweek as “a case study unmatched in American political writings,” The Lion and the Fox details Roosevelt’s youth and education, his rise to national prominence, all the way through his first two terms as president.   The Soldier of Freedom (1940–1945): The Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning history of FDR’s final years examines the president’s skillful wartime leadership as well as his vision for postwar peace. Acclaimed by William Shirer as “the definitive book on Roosevelt in the war years,” and by bestselling author Barbara Tuchman as “engrossing, informative, endlessly readable,” The Soldier of Freedom is a moving profile of a leader gifted with rare political talent in an era of extraordinary challenges.

Genres: Biography, History, Historical, Nonfiction

1989 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2017

About the author

An award-winning author of presidential and leadership studies, James MacGregor Burns was the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Government Emeritus at Williams College and Distinguished Leadership Scholar at the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park. He received his bachelor's degree from Williams College and his Ph.D. in political science from Harvard, and he also attended the London School of Economics. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he was past president of the American Political Science Association and the International Society of Political Psychology.

Reviews

[Richard Marney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lively yet serious historical portrait of this important figure during two of the greatest challenges in the 20th century - the Great Depression and WW II. An enjoyable and informative read.

[Jeffrey Zeltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The President for the Times 1932-1945

This is the five-star definitive biography of a brilliant, confident, enigmatic and multi-faceted leader told magnificently. James MacGregor Burns' thoroughly researched two-volume tome comes alive to any reader. If you desire to know Roosevelt and the America and world of this age, read it.

[Connor Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a long one! This was an audiobook comprising of two biographical books on FDR, one focusing on his pre-WW2 years, and the other on his WW2 years.

It was fascinating, getting to see both more of FDR, and of the second world war from the American political perspective. To my surprise I found the first book the most exciting, delving into his transformation from idealistic crusader to shrewd politician, seeing his political battles with "Bossism", and how he dealt with his illness. The second book was still interesting, especially learning how difficult it was for him to convince the American public "why" they had to fight the second world war, and seeing him in the difficult position of having to fight full elections whilst also leading his country through one of the most cataclysmic wars of all time.

It could have been shorter and still got the same message across. Too often it tried to pull some deep political philosophy from minor decisions, and spent too long running the same analysis of his actions over and over, but that's something which can be forgiven in a book of this ambition.

Overall I'd recommend this to anyone who was interested in getting into the political force behind America's second world war leadership, but if you just want a quick biography there may be lighter books out there for you.

[Dr.Chinmay Kulkarni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed biography of probably the most important statesman of the twentieth century. Roosevelt’s life tells us that a great leader could be manipulative, trickster, liar , opportunist but what makes him great Is the set of core beliefs and principles which he holds. Roosevelt walked with a fine balance of courage and caution and principles and practicality. His life also points that to be a successful leader in a democracy one should focus on short term goals. One also wonders that if he would have lived a bit longer, probably the humanitarian catastrophe of atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki would not have happened.

[Luvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are one that enjoys U.S. presidential biographies this two volume set is a must read. The author tends to be negative about FDR when not writing factually. Overall very thorough and unbiased with factual content. While a long read for me, by the time I finished I found myself yearning for a bygone day in American politics.

[Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is unquestionably a definitive history of one of the most consequential presidents of the U.S. There are many lessons to learn about leadership.

[Tani Garberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did this as an audible. Took 45 hours but it was worth it.

[Ben Mozingo]

Abandoned this biography after about 10%. Don't really like the pacing and I am reading that there is a better biography out there.

[Glen Quon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I never read a book that a Pulitzer Prize before. Now I have. Very detailed description of FDR's life from birth to death.