Master of his fate: Roosevelt's rise from polio to the presidency

by James Tobin

Master of His Fate by James Tobin is an inspiring middle-grade biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, with a focus on his battle with polio and how his disease set him on the course to become president.

In 1921, FDR contracted polio. Just as he began to set his sights on the New York governorship—and, with great hope, the presidency—FDR became paralyzed from the waist down. FDR faced a radical choice: give up politics or reenter the arena with a disability, something never seen before. With the help of Eleanor and close friends, Roosevelt made valiant strides toward rehabilitation and became even more focused on becoming president, proving that misfortune sometimes turns out to be a portal to unexpected opportunities and rewards—even to greatness.

This groundbreaking political biography richly weaves together medicine, disability narratives, and presidential history.

Christy Ottaviano Books

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History

272 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2021

About the author

James Tobin was an American economist who served on the Council of Economic Advisers and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and taught at Harvard and Yale Universities. He developed the ideas of Keynesian economics, and advocated government intervention to stabilize output and avoid recessions.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know the story well.

First, because I had read James Tobin's biography The Man He Became: How FDR Defied Polio to Win the Presidency. And from reading numerous other books about Franklin Roosevelt.

And yet, I felt the tension and expectation stirring as I read Tobin's middle school biography of how Franklin Roosevelt met the challenge of infantile polio with extraordinary perseverance.

As Al Smith pressured FDR to run for governor of New York State in a desperate bid to maintain Democratic votes for his presidency, Missy LeHand, FDR's secretary and 'office wife' whispers "Don't you dare!" for she knew what was at stake.

With more time in therapy at Warm Springs, FDR might walk again. If he returned to his home state and full time work, his chances to walk without crutches or braces was nil.

FDR had to choose between his personal goal to beat polio and his political hopes. The moment was now--was it worth the cost?

Tobin's ability to describe the medical information about polio and how it affected FDR's body is excellent. Young readers will understand the science and the emotional and social impact of the disease. FDR being 'crippled' meant he had to defy compartmentalization by society, politicians, and especially by voters.

There was no hiding his disability. He had to wear heavy leg braces, use crutches, canes, and wheelchairs, and had to be lifted into cars.

He turned the indignity into a demonstration of his strength and positive energy. He lifted his head, smiled, kept an upbeat attitude, communicating that being 'lame' did not affect his mind and his ability to work hard. In fact, he inspired people.


"Through those twelve dark years of pain and upheaval, Roosevelt's leadership was the beacon in the darkness. Because he evidently believed that all would be well in the end, people took hope. And it was no small thing that they knew he had come through a great personal ordeal."~Master of his Fate by James Tobin
Tobin informs about FDR's failings, including his troubled marriage, his distance as a father, times he became angry. He was not perfect. But that is the wonderful thing--imperfect humans can impact and change the world for the better.

The book is also a political history, tracing FDR's career and how his political relationship with Al Smith, and his nomination speech, brought him to public attention.

Franklin Roosevelt is consistently rated as one of our greatest presidents for leading the country through perilous times and for social programs that we take for granted today.

Young readers will understand how polio changed FDR's life and made him a better person, and that we can rise above the cards we have been dealt.

I was given a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring read about the determination and optimism of FDR. From his pioneering work for those with disabilities, America's recovery from the Great Depression, WWII and his founding of the March of Dimes Foundation FDR's patience and determination led America to greatness.

[Joey W · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was informative and kept me reading it. didn't think I would ever say this but the part about Roosevelt's running for governor and the bits about politics were actually my favorite. That might be because there was none of Roosevelt being hopelessly optimistic about his condition. I never really knew about him, and now that I do I can't say I like him. I also felt the the climax of his presidential campane was underwhelming.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. A very readable and straightforward account of how polio shaped FDR's life and political ambitions. I just wish it had been written by or with a disabled person. I don't think the author recognized that disabled children were part of his reading audience. In the introduction, he claimed he had to use the word "crippled" to show the sheer negativity people felt about disability. It came up often enough in quotes that I don't think he needed to use it himself, when other less loaded words would do. Half the time he put the word in quotes, but not the other half. And he didn't seem to see why using the words "lame" and "handicapped" needed the same explanation as being outdated and harmful terms. I was highly taken aback.

He did work hard to break down stigmas around disabilities, understood what ableism is and explained it, showed how people's perceptions of disability were incorrect, but he just didn't get there. This won't go on my disability reads bibliography because I think it could hurt disabled readers.

[Russell Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Master of His Fate is the remarkable story of one of the most famous and best Presidents the USA has ever had. Author James Tobin tells of the political rise of Franklin Delano Roosevelt through the lens of FDR’s struggles with polio. This is a tale of a man who refused to believe that paralysis would end his ambitions. With great determination, FDR, we learn from these pages, took control of his disability and used it to his advantage, not because he was hoping it would boost his chances to achieve his political goals but because he refused to let it dampen his goals. When told he would never walk again, FDR learns to walk, albeit a labored gait. In a time when being disabled meant being weak, this man knew he was as strong as ever in mind and body despite what had befallen him. And we, the citizens of the United States (and, indeed, the world) are better having had this amazing man lead our country during the Great Depression and on into World War II. Tobin’s book is entirely readable and inspiring.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It shows FDR's humanity. He had his foibles and flaws but he good attitude and his ability to adapt and overcome.

This is for Younger Readers but I liked it, but I doubt any non-high school reader would pick it up-but that is probably the target age .

I liked that it wasn't the same old same old FDR story. I also like about how it talks about disabilities and how you can be president and not be able to walk very well.

I know someone who has a nerve issue that makes walking a challenge. Telling this person about FDR's struggles with walking, has help this person say "we can't fix it so how do we adapt and make it work"

[Jenny Lussier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Master of His Fate, but I’ve been obsessed with FDR and biographies since I was a kid. I thought the unique take on FDR’s life, focusing on the years in which he had polio up through winning the presidency, was a really interesting way of learning about him. I believe this will be a book for a certain niche of reader however; probably a reader who, like me, loves biographies or FDR.
E ARC provided by Netgalley. #netgalley #masterofhisfate

[Jaydon Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, it was motivating. I didn’t know that FDR struggled for so long before running for president. I loved that this book showed the people who helped him on the daily. Like Leroy the black man that help him get dressed and into his braces, remember it’s the 1920 and wow. I never knew that for a man that couldn’t walk on his own he went places.

[AlohaKarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a history nerd so it is hard to not love a book. I also adore the 1930s and 1940s, so there’s no way I wouldn’t have loved this book. I’ve read so much on FDR and yet this brought something new to the story of the man I know so well. It makes me want to go back for another visit to Hyde Park, although I’ve already been twice! Excellent story, highly recommend.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrative nonfiction portraying FDR’s journey from polio diagnosis to the presidency. Packed with intimate details of daily life during his recuperation. A testament to the power of persistence and hope.

[Thomas Corrigan]

Love how FDR started with polio and eventually became the US President. Also the people he met along the way including Eleanor Roosevelt , Fred Botts , Missy Lehand , Al Smith. Great Book Would Recommend!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of courage to not let illness dictate his life. A President to remember....

[MaryAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me the most interesting part of the story was how FDR dealt with the repercussions of contracting polio. The political details were less interesting.

[Laurie E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. I never knew much about President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Glad I took the time to read this book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing look at FDR and his battle with Polio. Really well done and very engaging.

[Cindy]

After reading The Man He Became I realized this is essentially the same material rewritten for a younger audience.

[Stefanie Van Steelandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Franklin Roosevelt’s struggle with infantile paralysis is well-known, yet Master of His Fate manages to keep the story fresh by blending historical narrative, medical expertise and psychological analysis. Master of his Fate reads like a well-researched historical novel, and Mr. Tobin’s insightful comments and detailed explanations make this an interesting and easy read for young and old alike.

After he was struck by polio in 1921, thirty-nine-year-old Franklin Roosevelt was singularly focused on one thing: re-learning how to walk. Mr. Tobin effortlessly weaves together politics and disability history; if FDR ever wanted to run for office again, he would have to learn how to get around without scaring people. While FDR rarely talked about his disability, Master of His Fate does a wonderful job conveying the feelings he must have experienced as he tried to regain his health. While it will never be known how much polio truly affected him, there is no doubt FDR was a changed man after 1921, not only physically, but emotionally as well.

Whether you like him or not, there is no denying that FDR’s struggle to overcome polio and become president of the United States is one of inspiration, grit and perseverance. Even though his priorities changed when he re-entered politics in 1928, until the day he died, FDR still held out hope he would one day be able to throw away his cane and braces and walk unaided. If there is one thing we can learn from Franklin Roosevelt, it is to never give up hope, to take charge of your life, to become master of your own fate.

Despite reading The Man He Became, James Tobin’s first book on FDR’s battle with polio, I read Master of his Fate with equal pleasure and interest. One doesn’t have to be between the ages of 9 and 14 to enjoy Master of his Fate; I was actually unaware this was geared towards middle-graders when I began reading. The only give-aways were the shorter chapters and paragraphs, and the way the author addresses the reader. For those who think the material a little too dry for young adults, the book includes many photographs to bring FDR’s struggle to life.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review