V Is For Victory: Franklin Roosevelt's American Revolution and the Triumph of World War II

by Craig Nelson

A NEW YORKER BEST BOOK OF 2023

“Belongs in the library alongside the histories and biographies of Martin Gilbert, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and David McCullough.” —Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Horse Soldiers

In this epic and definitive history of the American home front during World War II, New York Times bestselling historian Craig Nelson reveals how FDR won the support of a nation antagonistic to war in Europe and pushed both government and industry to build “the arsenal of democracy”—the secret weapon that won the war.

In 1938, the United States was so politically isolationist and pacifist that its defense forces were smaller than Portugal’s. That same year, Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered the federal government to spark a dramatic expansion in domestic airplane production, and this minor effort—three years before the attack on Pearl Harbor—would in time become what Roosevelt called “the arsenal of democracy,” the full-throttle unleashing of American enterprise and ingenuity that was the secret weapon for victory in World War II. Signaled by Roosevelt’s public fight with Lindbergh—known as the Great Debate—victory at land, sea, and air across the globe began at home.

In this “richly detailed, highly readable account of presidential leadership in perilous times” (New York Journal of Books), Craig Nelson traces how under FDR, the United States rose from poverty and solitude to defeat the greatest evils of the 20th century. By transforming what Americans thought they could achieve, FDR’s efforts ended the Great Depression; conquered the fascists of Germany, Italy, and Japan; birthed America’s middle-class affluence and consumer society; led to jet engines, computers, radar, the military-industrial complex, Big Science, and nuclear weapons; triggered a global economic boom; and turned the U.S. military into a worldwide titan—with America the undisputed leader of world affairs. While the arsenal of democracy has come to mean this miracle of American industry, when Roosevelt said it, he meant the miracle of the American people.

Revealing an era when Detroit was Silicon Valley; Ford was Apple; and Sears, Roebuck was Amazon, while filled with reflections on our own time, V Is for Victory draws on five years of research to create a powerful and essential narrative largely overlooked in conventional histories of the war but which, in Nelson’s skilled, authoritative hands, becomes an illuminating and important work destined to become an American history classic.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction, World War II, Us Presidents, Economics, Business

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2023

About the author

CRAIG NELSON is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Rocket Men, as well as several previous books, including V is for Victory, Pearl Harbor, The Age of Radiance (a finalist for the PEN Award), The First Heroes, Thomas Paine (winner of the Henry Adams Prize), and Let’s Get Lost (short-listed for W.H. Smith’s Book of the Year).
His writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, Soldier of Fortune, Salon, National Geographic, The New England Review, Popular Science, California Quarterly, Blender, Semiotext(e), Reader’s Digest, and a host of other publications; he has been profiled in Variety, Interview, Publishers Weekly, and Time Out.
Before turning to writing, Nelson was vice president and executive editor of Harper & Row, Hyperion, and Random House, where he oversaw the publishing of twenty national bestsellers and worked with such authors as John Lennon, Andy Warhol, Lily Tomlin, Philip Glass, Rita Mae Brown, Steve Wozniak, Talking Heads, Laurie Anderson, Alex Trebek, William Shatner, the Rolling Stones, Orson Welles, Robert Evans, David Lynch, Roseanne Barr, and Barry Williams.
He is a graduate of UT Austin, and attended the USC Film School, the UCLA writing program, and the Harvard-Radcliffe publishing course. He turned to writing full-time in 2002.
As a historian he is known for epic moments in the American experience — Pearl Harbor; the race to the Moon; the nation’s founding; and the nuclear era — that are both engrossingly page-turning and distinguished for their scholarship. Massively researched from scratch, his books are eye-opening and definitive accounts of the profound moments that made us who we are today.
Craig lives in an 1867 department store in Greenwich Village.

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book, arguing that America’s Arsenal of Democracy in World War II was a managed project of Franklin Roosevelt. The author, historian Craig Nelson, tells the material story of WWII through President Roosevelt. Nelson places all the other major figures, the politicians, military leaders, and industry executives, as subordinate to the President’s directives. In doing so, Nelson declares, the book differentiates itself from other similar works, many of whom remain fooled by the ambiguity of FDR’s Washington. Roosevelt’s purposefully opaque and output inefficient management style was, Nelson argued, politically effective. Nelson explains how FDR used his superlative political skills to not just maneuver the country into a necessary War but also energize the complex process of transforming the New Deal bureaucracy into a Wartime administration before the country even joined the fight. Unfortunately, Nelson’s content does not keep pace with his spirited writing. The book’s thesis is worthwhile, but the argument is never really carried through, the author favoring hyperbole over determination. A good book for understanding the dynamics of military-industrial politics in WWII.

[Amanda Bruner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"V is for Victory" is an absolute must-read for history enthusiasts, particularly those with a deep fascination for World War II. As an avid reader of the era, I found this book to be a treasure trove of information and facts, offering a comprehensive and well-documented account of a pivotal period in our nation's history.

The book is an excellent resource for gaining insights into the miraculous convergence of events and individuals that shaped the nation's efforts to emerge victorious from World War II. It shines a spotlight on the often-unsung heroes, both women and men, who played crucial roles in the war effort. The central figure, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, emerges as a visionary leader who skillfully orchestrated the country's response to the global crisis.

While this book doesn't delve deeply into the personal struggles of Roosevelt, particularly regarding his relationship with Eleanor, it excels in providing a factual account of a nation that rallied against tyranny and underwent transformation through its sacrifices and challenges. Roosevelt's leadership was undeniably instrumental in the nation's success.

The book also sheds light on the rapid expansion of government during this period, a fundamental change that left an indelible mark on the nation. While this expansion had its detractors, it introduced numerous programs that drove unprecedented growth and progress in the post-World War II generations.

"V is for Victory" offers an engaging narrative that delves into a crucial and transformative period in American history. It's a well-researched and expertly presented account that will undoubtedly resonate with readers who have a deep appreciation for this era. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow enthusiasts of World War II history. Many thanks to #NetGalley#VisforVictory for granting me the opportunity to read and review this remarkable book.

[John Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself is well-written and well-researched and the author certainly makes a strong case for FDR's preeminent leadership and commitment to not just America's war efforts but for helping and bringing together our allies in the fight against Germany and Japan.

Then there is the narration (I listened to the audiobook).....well, to put it bluntly, the reader gets a D- from me. The numerous mispronounced proper names became wearying early on and just never let up. It would be logical, wouldn't it, for a reader of a nonfiction book to do some research beforehand. Evidently, the reader didn't feel this was necessary. So, I had to grind my teeth as I struggled to get past his errors and pay attention to the substance of the book. It's a huge pet peeve of mine, but I guess in the larger picture, it's a minor one. Just wanted to put in my two cents worth.

[Alec Pompeo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice pop history book, written in a very casual way that made it easy to read. It was really valuable to gain perspective on the might of the FDR administration and how it built the world we live in today. Plenty of lessons to be learned from Roosevelt.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read as to the unparalleled rise of Franklin Roosevelt at a time when such a man was needed for the country. He brought the nation through the depression and through WWII, dying only days before VE day.

FDR was petty at times, "lied with the best of them" and even pitted his own staff against one another. Yet, to accomplish his agenda he looked for the best man for the job. He openly recruited Republican businessmen (the "dollar a year" men) to run the incredible buildup prior to WWII. Imagine that, Republicans working for a Democratic administration!

My only disappointments in this book was the reliving the sadness of the '30s and '40s and the atrocities of the War. So many things could have gone better. And different. Perhaps the UK could have stood up to Hitler. Perhaps the Pearl Harbor invasion could have been avoided. Perhaps FDR as president should have stopped the interment of Japanese-Americans. Perhaps Roosevelt could have stood up to Stalin at Yalta and averted the Communist governments in eastern Europe.

I guess, individual packets of action could have altered the War in many ways -- some for the better and some for the worse. But, FDR took the hand that he was dealt (and is wasn't very pretty) and led America like it had never before (since) been led. He truly gave Americans a New Deal.

Five Stars.

A similar book I would recommend reading is Arthur Herman's Freedom's Forge which tells other stories of the almost-miraculous buildup leading into WWII.

[Christy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us who love history, "V is for Victory" is a must-read. I am an avid reader of most things that surround World War II. This book is full of information and facts from that era. It is good documentation of a historic time in our nation when things seem to miraculously come together. It tells of many of the women and men who were behind the country's efforts to win World War Ii and the man who brought it all together thru vision and leadership. If you are looking for real information about the personal struggles of Roosevelt this is not the book. It leaves out much of the truths that surround his relationship with Eleanor and her own struggles with identity and love. It does however tell the factual story of a nation that rose to the challenge of tyranny and sacrificed and grew from its challenge. Roosevelt was definitely the key player in that success. He also grew government at an astounding rate and the nation was forever changed by the interventions that he made to improve lives. Lauded at the time it opened the door for what many now see as too much government. It also created programs that caused unprecedented growth and change in our country in the post-World War II generations. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to those who love that era of history. Thanks to #NetGalley#VisforVictory for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's main point in writing this book was that FDR and his New Deal policies formed the basis of an American Revolution which continues to this day, and which set the groundwork for America to serve as the arsenal of democracy, enabling the Allies to defeat the Axis powers. It almost seemed to me that Craig Nelson's book was, at least in part, written to counter the arguments in Arthur Herman's Freedoms Forge, which maintained that the success of the arsenal of democracy was in no way related to the New Dealers' planned economy. I liked that Don Nelson, the head of the Office of Production Management and who replaced Bill Knudsen, was given credit for his hard and unappreciated efforts in this role, which did not happen in Herman's Freedoms Forge. On the other hand, Knudsen's work in fixing the production issues with the B-29, was barely mentioned. Craig Nelson's portrayal of FDR as a politician was mostly balanced, and FDR was given credit for many successes that were consistent with a leader who spent more than 12 years in that role. I was hoping to learn new things about the WWII homefront, but was disappointed in that regard. Aside from Craig Nelson's use of primary sources from the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park, NY, most of the references in this book were secondary and included many books I had already read.

[Connor Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after reading the WW2 book on Winston Churchill. The relationship between Great Britain and the US during this time period is fascinating and it was cool to see the perspective from both countries.

I didn’t know much about FDR before reading this boom but what a cool guy. To be a cripple in the White House and lead the US in WW2 with 4 consecutive terms is crazy. The book puts him in the same realm at George Washington and Honest Abe Lincoln.

Another cool part of FDR’s history was his agreement with the press not to photograph him in a wheelchair. Only 4 photos were ever taken of him like this. This allowed him to lead the nation and show power. Crazy how this would never happen today and the media would destroy this man and his disability.

The main theme of this book was FDR but also the arsenal of democracy… the way the US used production and manufacturing to lift the country out of the Great Depression and defeat the axis through shear strength in numbers and brute force. Super cool how FDR was able to mobilize the country to product war machinery and move the economy years before we entered war.

Great book and will definitely read more about WW2 in future reads!

[Writemoves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that further affirms for me that FDR was our greatest president. He provided badly needed leadership and strength to pull the country out of an economic depression and win a two front world war. Eleanor Roosevelt’s varied contributions and sacrifices makes her our greatest First Lady.

Easy book to read. I personally did not find a lot new in the book as I have read dozens of books about FDR and U.S history from 1933 to 1945.

Interesting background information on the relationship between FDR and Winston Churchill. Even though FDR understood that many if not most of the country were isolationists, he still prepared prudently for war.

Nelson also details the rabid anti-semitism in America both before and during the war.

[Michael Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly detailed and fascinating examination of the man who was singularly responsible for leading our nation to victory over the Nazis, the Japanese and the Great Depression. Craig Nelson shows us how FDR led us out of the worst economic times and laid the groundwork for wartime victory. He details the enormity of the Allied invasion and the materials it took to support a global war. And in the end he reminds us that we are a nation of immigrants in a nation that welcomes the poor and suffering across the world and finds ways through collaboration and cooperation to overcome all obstacles. Truly an achievement that brings to life the era and the man, richly detailed and highly readable and a work that resonates with our current unstable society.

[Vanessa Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read if you’re interested in WWII history. I’ve been looking for a book like this. It’s challenging but not impossible, covers the entire span of the war but is a reasonable length and focuses on the American perspective.

The author’s focus on FDR’s “Arsenal of Democracy” is unique and super interesting. I appreciated that he was thorough, but didn’t get bogged down in military terminology and other details outside the meat of the story.

At the end of the book, he closes the loop with a 1994 quote about how we then lived in “FDR’s World” and asks if that’s still true today. 30 years on, because of technology, I believe that the answer is no, but we should all be glad for the Arsenal of Democracy he created.

[Gabriel Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. On the one hand, it is easy to read and very enjoyable. And, of course, the central message, that the American industrial power was absolutely crucial to winning World War II, and that much of this was thanks to the preparatory work organised by President Franklin D Roosevelt, is absolutely true.

On the other hand, the book is very sloppily written. It abounds with misspellings, factual errors, and sweeping generalisations, for which there is no factual underpinning. This detracts substantially from the book, because if you spot these, where you happen to know the facts, how can you then rely on stated facts where you do not have any particular knowledge?

[Jason Shprintz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the historical accuracy and attention to detail, but the storytelling itself left a little to be desired. It was not entirely chronological, and at many times throughout there were just too many names, places, and details to keep in your head. On top of that, you were oftentimes bombarded with numbers and statistical information. Overall though, I did enjoy it, and I appreciated the narrative of how logistics, American grit, factory workers, and FDR's overarching vision for what this nation's role in the world should be shaped the world so much that we are all still living in his world.

[Chris Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Nelson does a great job of bringing together a variety of sources to make his point that President Franklin Roosevelt was key to beating the Depression, making the US the 'Arsenal of Democracy,' bringing business and government together to build that Arsenal, and then outproducing the world to help win WWII for the allies. The result is a readable, even conversational writing style that is, at once, avuncular and informative. It is derivative of some of the books in the bibliography, but he can also mine the rare, overlooked nuggets of info he presents. A good read!

[Bill Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with how to rate this book. It is fairly readable but not so that I couldn’t put it down. Then I considered the subject matter. Not an easy subject to tackle. Craig Nelson tackles the topic of how FDR got America turned around during the depression. Then he pushed and prodded America to prepare for war. In the end it was FDR who turned the United States into the Arsenal of Democracy. The author thoroughly covered the difficulties and successes of the logistics of such a transformation. Definitely a book to read if you have an interest in how World War II was won.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

President Roosevelt's New Deal produced big projects such as the construction of Grand Coulee Dam. Experience with big projects, big management, big logistics would soon be crucial in re-arming the United States from a nation barely able to defend itself to one that would lead the war effort to defeat Germany and Japan. Roosevelt had to use all his political wiles to convince Americans that aiding Great Britain would mean defending their own country in the long run, because neutrality was the popular view. Good story of how industry finally took off, with leadership from corporate leaders.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced story of how Franklin Delano Roosevelt wrestled American industry to start preparing for entry into World War II a year and a half before the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack that would propel them into that fight. Even with an 18 month head start, it would take a full 2-3 years longer to reach the full war production capability to invade France's Normandy beaches to face Hitler's troops toe-to-toe. By that time, most German strategists had long realized defeat was inevitable, not from America's superior fighting ability, but from her overwhelming industrial production.

[John Albers · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are hundreds of thousands of books on the second world war, so an author has to come up with something new to stand out of the crowd. And V for Victory covers the enormous changes necessary to turn a country deep into a devastating economic depression in the industrial powerhouse that produced more cars, planes, tanks and artillery pieces of all the allied and axis powers. The book covers also the role of the New Deal programs, especially the CCC and the TVA that helped shape US military planning during the war.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin Roosevelt's powerful timeline influenced the United States, and even the world, from the days of the Great Depression and even beyond his death during his fourth term as president. The book addresses not only his influential personality, but also those he chose as leaders during those historic decades. My parents and grandparents lived through those momentous years, so it was even more fascinating for me.

[Paul Vogelzang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and I am so grateful to Smithsonian Associates and Craig Nelson for an excellent interview, found here: my link text

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable digest of New Deal and WWII. It emphasizes the links between the two and centers on Roosevelt's leadership, but doesn't really get at how elusive that could be until toward the end of the book. Good on the interplay between allied unity and tension on war fighting goals and post-war intentions.

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed and well-written, this blow-by-blow account of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency reveals the vast logistically problems that faced Dr. New Deal and Dr. Win-the-War … a grand tribute to the “Greatest Generation” … compelling and revolutionary …

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-researched book about WW II and how Roosevelt led the nation through the war and prepared the U.S. successes post war. There was so much and several events mentioned that I had not known about this era.

I highly recommend this book for history lovers.

[Keith Shubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description of how FDR began getting American industry ready for WWII in the late 1930s, then continues with descriptions of how war materials were organized and spread across US factories. Also provides a view of FDR's personality, attitudes, and behaviors with which I was not familiar.

[Ken Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

I find it reassuring to understand how similar the public sentiment of today is to the late 30's. Souch is the same. It leads me to believe it is possible to wrench a positive future out of this impending disaster we face today.

[Jim Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelson makes clear that we live now in FDR's world. Some so-called leaders would do well to realise that America has been what it is for the past 80 years because of Roosevelt's vast attainments, and their desire to return to a pre-Roosevelt world is the worst kind of folly.

[Ron Nurmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent look at how FDR engineered the winning factor in WWII--Logistics.

[Mark Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-researched and interesting read.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in-depth look at FDR and WWII. Well worth the time investment.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book that discussed in detail how America became the greatest super power.