Presidential Biographies discussion
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Suzanne
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Feb 11, 2014 04:55AM
With so many biographies, out there, which one would you recommend for me?
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I can tell you the first one I'm planning on reading, and I did a fair amount of research, and that is FDR, by Jean Edward Smith. Here in no special order are the other FDR related books on my presidential to-read list (currently over 120 books):Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox, 1882-1940
Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope
Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. the Supreme Court
No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
I second Will's recommendation of the Jean Edward Smith biography.
My biggest concern is that it's a balanced book. I want to make sure it's not just an "FDR is the greatest President" type of book. I want to see the real FDR, warts and all.
Though Smith clearly admires FDR, this is not a hagiography. He discusses FDR's failures as objectively as he discusses his triumphs. It is, in that light, very balanced and, yes, it includes "warts and all."
James wrote: "Though Smith clearly admires FDR, this is not a hagiography. He discusses FDR's failures as objectively as he discusses his triumphs. It is, in that light, very balanced and, yes, it includes "wart..."Thanks!
Presidential Biographies
Books mentioned in this topic
FDR (other topics)Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox, 1882-1940 (other topics)
Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (other topics)
The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope (other topics)
Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. the Supreme Court (other topics)
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