The Making of FDR: The Story of Stephen T. Early, America's First Modern Press Secretary

Though practically unknown to the public today, Stephen T. Early was one of the most influential men in mid-twentieth-century America. As FDR's press secretary, he was chiefly responsible for getting the president's message out to the press, and he helped to shape Roosevelt's image in the eyes of Americans through the Great Depression and World War II. Journalist Levin documents how Early remade what had been a routine White House briefing function into the modern high-visibility role of today's presidential press secretary. Under Early's guidance, the press evolved from print journalism into the use of radio and newsreels, so he was the first press secretary to deal with both broadcast and print media on a daily basis. He introduced twice-weekly press conferences and the famous "Fireside Chats." Had there been no Stephen Early, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the longest-serving president in U.S. history, might well have had only one term.--From publisher description.

Linda Lotridge Levin (Kingston, RI), professor of journalism and chair of the Department of Journalism at the University of Rhode Island, is the author of Mass Communication Law in Rhode Island; To Understand: The History of a 10-Year Dialogue Between New England and Soviet Editors; and Rhode Island: The Independent State; as well as numerous articles in The Providence Journal and other publications.