Together We Cannot Fail: FDR and the American Presidency in Years of Crisis

by Terry Golway

"While listening to the audio, readers will be struck by Roosevelt's immense oratory skills. In his famous 'fireside chats,' the president adopted a down-to-earth, fatherly tone, but when the occasion demanded it, he could thunderously deliver such lines as, 'this generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.' A fine contextualization of Roosevelt's life and times."
Kirkus Reviews An uncommon portrait of Roosevelt's presidency, in words, photographs, and his own voice This vivid portrait shows a nation at its best and at its worst, through the lens of a president's words during the first presidency truly impacted by the media age. An FDR biography unlike any other, Together We Cannot Fail offers a new view of Roosevelt's transformation of an insular America into the world's most revered and feared superpower. An exclusive accompanying CD integrates with the biography to reveal in his own words how he led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II to its "rendezvous with destiny." Historian Terry Golway brings alive how Roosevelt saved America from its worst fears and led the nation to victory in a cataclysmic world war and by doing so forever changed how Americans live and view themselves. Crafted from Roosevelt's own stirring words, this unique biography shows how he invented and established the practice of the media presidency with his famous fireside chats, the first presidential speeches broadcast nationally from the White House. Hear FDR speak to the nation in 30 famous speeches on an exclusive audio CD For twelve tumultuous presidential years, Roosevelt regularly spoke to the American people, this man of wealth and privilege giving voice to the downtrodden's American Dream. The first in a long line of media presidencies, Roosevelt's innate ability to connect with the people remains the standard by which even the best of them—Kennedy, Reagan, and Obama alike—are judged. Roosevelt's words would define a remarkable presidency that faced and overcame the country's worst economic crisis and a war to end all wars. Together We Cannot Fail brings the president and his era to life like no other biography, combining the insight of noted historian Terry Golway with Roosevelt's own voice in audio excerpts from his most memorable speeches and chats. (20090715)

Genres: Politics, History

306 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Terry Golway is a senior editor at POLITICO, supervising coverage of New York State politics. He is a former member of the New York Times editorial board and former city editor and columnist at the New York Observer. He has a Ph.D. in U.S. history and has taught at the New School, New York University, and Kean University.

Reviews

[William Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another book related to my favorite period of time -- World War II -- where the author has benefited from documents that have just recently become available for various reasons. The cool thing about this book about FDR is that it includes a CD of all of the referenced speeches either on the radio ("fireside chats") or to, for example, Congress, so that you can read about the event (and the events leading up to it) and then listen to the actual, original speech in its entriety.

This is not, strictly speaking, a detailed history of World War II or Roosevelt's Presidency or the nation's recovery from the great depression. It's mind and ear candy that literally provides the primary source for the public position taken by Roosevelt on the issues of the day. Many books I've read have provided detailed references to these speeches, but this book explains the background events of the time leading up to the speech, and FDR's mindset, etc., as well as providing the actual speeches themselves. I would love to have had access to these recordings as I have been reading other World War I and II history volumes.

For anyone interested in FRD, or the historical events of 1910-1945, this would be a great volume to get your hands on.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A master leader. A master politician.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a short introductory chapter the book follows FDR's presidential career. The tracks on the CD are recordings of portions of his speeches including several of his fireside chats. Several of the chapters contain quotes that are pertinent to today. In discussing the rise of totalitarian governments during the world depression FDR says "Finally, in desperation, they [the people] chose to sacrifice liberty in the hope of getting something to eat."
Roosevelt brought forth a lot of the 'progressive' programs the GOP wants to eliminate or eviscerate, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and Social Security. He had to fight hard to get them passed but they brought the US out of the depression. FDR declared "true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence" This was part of his four rights -- right to: a useful and remunerative job, to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation; to a decent home; adequate medical care; a good education.
.Perhaps most pertinent to last two decades was his statement during his "Fala" speech in 1944 noting "The whole purpose of Republican oratory these days seems to be to switch labels. Then in his fourth inaugural address he said: "We have learned we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away."
FDR had his flaws but he also led the country during 12 years of crises. The chapters are short and the book is quickly read.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Reads like a movie and left me slightly shocked by the sudden death of Roosevelt...though I knew it was coming...