Oshkosh Public Library

Becoming FDR, the personal crisis that made a president, Jonathan Darman

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 351-389) and index

individual biography

platesportraitsillustrations

index present

non fiction

Becoming FDR

bibliography

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Jonathan Darman

the personal crisis that made a president

"In popular memory, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the quintessential political "natural." Born in 1882 to a wealthy, influential family and blessed with charisma, he seemed destined for high office from birth. Yet for all his gifts, the young Roosevelt nonetheless lacked depth, empathy, and strategic ability. Those qualities, so essential to his success as president, were skills he acquired during his eight-year struggle through illness and recovery. Becoming FDR traces the riveting story of the crucible that forged Roosevelt's political ascent. Soon after contracting polio in 1921, the former vice-presidential candidate was left paralyzed from the waist down at the age of thirty-nine. He spent nearly a decade trying to heal and rehabilitate his body and adapt to the stark new reality of his life. By the time he reemerged on the national stage, his character and his abilities had been transformed. He had become shrewd by necessity, tailoring his speeches to a new medium-radio-that allowed him to reach listeners far beyond his physical presence. Suffering had also taught Roosevelt compassion, cementing his bond with those he once famously called "the forgotten man." Most crucially, he had discovered how to find hope in a seemingly hopeless situation-a genius for inspiration he employed to motivate Americans through the Great Depression and World War II. The polio years were transformative too for Eleanor Roosevelt, whose at-first reluctant appearances as her husband's surrogate sparked a drive to become a force in her own right. Tracing the physical, political, and personal transformation of the iconic president, Becoming FDR is the story of a man who found his strong, true self in the depths of a crushing challenge-and re-emerged with wisdom he would use to inspire the world"--, Provided by publisher

Prologue: Destinies (June 1920 and June 1936) -- Part I: The invader (August 1921). On Campobello -- Part II: The ascent (Spring 1919). The path ; The parade ; Broken glass -- Part III: Origins (1882-1919). The precious child ; Love matches ; The orphan girl ; Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt ; Golden boy -- Part IV: A public life (June 1919-August 1921). Breathless and hunted ; Persecutors ; Lonely island ; In a hurry ; Hurtling -- Part V: The forgotten man (September 1921-November 1922). Stranded ; Plans ; The will and determination of the patient ; Nothing to do but think ; Means of grace -- Part VI: Try something (January 1924-October 1928). Time in the sun ; The way it feels ; The soul that had believed ; The call -- Part VII: The return (October 1928-July 1932). On my feet ; The long fight ; "You must let me be myself" ; The prize -- Part VIII: Out of every crisis (July 1932-March 1933). Pray for me ; Spreading fire ; An unfamiliar city ; Fear itself -- Epilogue: The spirit of Warm Springs (November 1933 and November 1941)

Becoming Franklin Delano Roosevelt