Best FDR Bio? - Democratic Underground

RooseveltTruman

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Wed May-05-10 11:06 AM
Original message

Best FDR Bio?

What, in your opinion, is the superior FDR bio: "A Traitor to His Class" by H.W. Brands, or "FDR" by Jean-Edward Smith? A friend asked me which he should read, and I was unsure what to say, as I loved both...I'm partial to the Brands book because I read it first, but everywhere I look, it appears Smith's tome is considered the definitive FDR book.

So, which would you suggest?

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Captain Hilts

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Wed May-05-10 11:10 AM
Response to Original message

1. Of the modern one-volume versions. Jean Smith's is best. Of older

versions, Rex Tugwell's "The Democratic Roosevelt" is a very good read from someone who knew FDR back when he was gov. of NY. He actually 'gets' FDR - and his weaknesses and is pretty frank about it despite the fact that it was published in 1958 while Eleanor was still alive.

I'll also recommend - and this might sound weird - the 'young adults' bio by Freeman is very good.

And one note that Doris Kearns Goodwin's book had a great theme running through it, but shoddy research makes it not quite accurate.

H.W. Brands needed a better editor.

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