Franklin D. Roosevelt

In the 1930s and 40s America was ravaged by unemployment, poverty and conflict. Franklin D. Roosevelt led the country through the two great crises of mass unemployment and the Second World War in a style that leads Patrick Renshaw to call him 'the most important President of the twentieth century'. His New Deal and decisive leadership during the war made him the greatest vote-winner in the nation's history and put him on a par with Hitler, Stalin and Churchill as a key figure in twentieth century history.
This fresh and vividly written account of FDR's life covers his early days in one of the nation's oldest and richest families, and the effect of the polio that ravaged him in his prime. His early political career and his 12-year presidency is investigated, and his fascinating relationship with his wife Eleanor explored.
Patrick Renshaw explains how and why FDR came to power and with what effect he exercised it. He argues that FDR used the Second World War to make America the greatest power on earth and that his 12 years in the White House transformed American politics and America's place in the world. Original interpretations of his life and career in relation to his illness and private life make this a fascinating biography.

Patrick Renshaw was as a journalist for seven years before a 30 year teaching career universities in Britain and America.