Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion Of Freedom

Book Description

Now in paperback, the epic biography that critics across the board agree "deserves to become the standard one-volume life of FDR" (*The Economist)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt stands astride American history like a colossus. Having pulled the nation out of the Great Depression and led it to victory in the Second World War, in his four terms as president Roosevelt transformed an inward-looking country into the greatest superpower the world had ever known. Few biographies have been able to capture the full scope, the charisma, and the complexities of the man in full-until Conrad Black's Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In this extraordinary and eminently readable assessment, Black-a staunch conservative-takes to task the Roosevelt naysayers, lays bare the Yalta myth, and makes a surprising and compelling case that that FDR was the most influential and important person of the twentieth century.

Hailed by critics from all sides of the political spectrum as "masterful," "epic," and the "best biography of Roosevelt yet," Franklin Delano Roosevelt is bar-none the definitive biography of the 32nd president. It is an essential resource for anyone who wishes to understand not only Roosevelt-but the very history of the twentieth century, both in America and throughout the world.

Customer Reviews:

Tough read but worth the effort!.......2007-10-01

This one was a tough read - 1134 pages and a couple of laps around the world later I finished - but it was definitely worth the time. While not as readable as David McCullough, Conrad Black not only tells the amazing story of FDR, but also puts you right in the middle of this pivotal time in American History. Sometimes vindictive, often underestimated, FDR's ability to lead and leverage public opinion is unmatched by any modern day president. The complicated relationship between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill was navigated with great expertise. The personalities surrounding him - Eleanor, Teddy Roosevelt's side of the family, Stimson, Smith, MacArthur, Patton, Eisenhower, etc. are cause to hit the Barnes and Noble shop again soon for a few more biographies. If you like American history and biographies, this book comes with my recommendation.

Too opinionated!.......2007-08-28

The material is presented in an incredibly slanted way. The author will frequently refer to the fact that a particular person's beliefs were "misguided" or "objectively wrong", or "a brilliant solution", skipping over any of the details or alternative perspectives that might cast any sort of light on the topic. The book therefore becomes just so much ax-grinding by Conrad Black, to the point where the reader must look with such suspicion on nearly every sentence, that it's not really worth reading the book in the first place. to get a clear understanding of the material, the reader will inevitably have to seek out other publications. And if Black's work is the reader's initial introduction to FDR's biography, there is the very real risk that Black's ax-grinding may permanently tilt one's perspective.

Looking back at some of these positive reviews, I'm stunned that people recommend this book. Although a lot of research clearly went into it, the author's heavy bias marks the text as mere pulp, unscholarly and essentially dishonest.

If you expect this book to be better than other one-volume biographies of FDR because it is so long, think again. A big disappointment.

FDR in War and Peace.......2007-05-30

Conrad Black, a Canadian press baron who is actually a real British baron has written the single best one volume biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt. This book excels for three distinct reasons.

First, the Baron Black of Crossharbour in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets---to use his legal name and title---is an exceptionally good writer. The text is a smooth and easy read.

Second, and this is where Lord Black is at his best, he fully develops Roosevelt's character and personality in this book. Although this skill might seem like a fairly obvious one for a biographer, it is one that skips to many who take on this type of writing. What made Roosevelt great--and that he was--was his character and vision. He could be sneak and manipulative, like any other good politician, but he knew what type of leadership the nation needed, what made the nation great and provided those things in abundance. He had that "vision thing." He had studied the life and career of his famous "Uncle Ted" and offered the public the same type of leadership that the first Roosevelt had.

While Theodore Roosevelt was a man of character in public and private, his distant cousin's was more public. FDR was unfaithful to a trying and difficult wife, an emotionally distant father to his children, and although exceptionally charming, emotionally distant from most people.

Finally, the book is an up-to-date assessment of historical work on Roosevelt's twelve years in the White House. The bulk of the book focuses on the presidency with Black getting to 1932 in a little over 200 pages. He sees FDR working to maintain the capitalist system during the Great Depression. He always liked to keep his political options and encouraged a good deal of conflict within the bureaucracy. The New Deal does not see as extensive coverage as World War II. Black gives FDR high marks for his work as Commander-in-Chief. He set the policy, maintained the vision and generally avoided details. This type of leadership drove his generals and admirals crazy, but he knew what was possible and took the attitude that good was good enough. This might not have been the most efficient way to win the war, but it worked. He certainly avoided micromanaging the military the way some of his predecessors have in the years since. Although Canada and the United States are similar in many ways, the fact that a foreigner can offer an exceptionally nuanced assessment of FDR's administration is yet more testimony to Black's skill as a biographer.

If you are prepared to tackle a 1200 page monster, this is an exceptionally good book.

A Great Book About A Great Man !!!.......2007-05-23

The best biography of FDR I have ever read and I have read at least eight others. Prior to reading this great book I had always considered Frank Freidels book: "FDR A Rendevous with Destiny" the best and most scholarly biography of his life. This book is superbly researched and a great read to boot.

A big book over 1100 pages but it is well worth the readers time.

A great big BRAVO to you Mr. Conrad Black.

The plot to overthrow FDR.......2007-03-02

If you are intersted in the life of FDR, you might be interseted to learn about the plot that almost cost him his Presidency. You can read about it in The Plot to Seize the White House by Jules Archer.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom (Childhood of Famous Americans)

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Kudlinski brings Franklin Delano Roosevelt to life.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom (Childhood of Famous Americans)
Kathleen Kudlinski
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689857454

Book Description

Childhood of Famous Americans

One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics have been praised alike by parents, teachers, and librarians. With these lively, inspiring, fictionalized biographies -- easily read by children of eight and up -- today's youngster is swept right into history.

Customer Reviews:

Kudlinski brings Franklin Delano Roosevelt to life........2004-07-01

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born into a life of comfort --- one could almost say a life of luxury. He had a beautiful home, was tutored privately, had a pony to ride and a boat to sail, and went on European vacations. His mother had very definite ideas as to how she wanted her son to live his life, and her word was very much the law in the Roosevelt household. Franklin went to a prestigious boarding school and then on to Harvard, just as his parents wished.

It was only when he was in his twenties that he began to assert his independence. He decided that he wanted to marry the niece of the great "Teddy" Roosevelt, a relative and former President of the United States. "Mother" was not pleased with his choice but Franklin insisted.

Franklin had just begun his political career when he was struck down and crippled by polio. His mother wanted him to go to the family home where she could care for him. But Franklin was not going to let polio destroy his dreams, and he fought very hard to prove to the American public that he was strong enough to be a good candidate --- first for Governor of New York, and later for President of the United States. He was determined to show them that a person stricken with polio could still be a great leader; he was so successful in this mission that he was elected President for an unprecedented four terms. He helped pull the United States out of the dark years of the Depression and led the country through World War II. With a huge grin on his face, he cheered up the American public when few others could.

In addition to documenting his remarkable accomplishments as a leader, author Kathleen Kudlinski also touches on Franklin's private life. We learn that he was afraid of fire because he couldn't run from it, he exercised for hours so that he would be able to do what was required of him as President, and though his leg braces hurt him terribly, he never said a word or complained. Franklin founded the March of Dimes and his support helped hundreds of polio victims. By the end of his third term in office, Franklin grew tired and terribly ill, but he still chose to run for President again because his country needed him.

Kudlinski brings Franklin Delano Roosevelt to life, giving him a real face, heart and smile.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber (mjansengruber@mindspring.com)

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt : Champion of Freedom
Conrad Black
Manufacturer: PublicAffairs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K1UEMI

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom (Childhood of Famous Americans)
Kathleen V. Kudlinski
Manufacturer: Turtleback Books Distributed by Demco Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback
ASIN: 0606292926

Book Description

Captain William Van Zanten was one of the “Magnificent Bastards” of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, in 1966–a year when any day could bring death or dismemberment from a Bouncing Betty or a punji stake, a firefight or a sniper bullet. He and his men faced B-52-sized mosquitoes, rain, heat, disease, and a determined and elusive enemy who kept the Marines off-balance, edgy, and sleepless.

Yet Van Zanten persevered with a soldierly professionalism built on rigorous training. Dedication and boot camp forged the volunteer Marines of the early war years, so when the stakes went through the roof in Vietnam, commitment of man to man and man to unit was total. They supported each other with a soldier’s intimacy and endured with a soldier’s humor–and together that meant survival.

Customer Reviews:

What's Going On Here? This Is A Good Book!.......2007-10-05

Since my newest book, "Kill Me If You Can" came out I've read every book about the Vietnam War I've come across, and "Don't Bunch Up" was an interesting read. Truth is, I'd have to rate it higher than my book because it attacks the NVA, not the sociopaths in Washington as does my work. I was spellbound; Zanten's writing was rich, firm and moving. I didn't even know Marines could read, more less write.

Don't Bunch Up: One Marine's Story and Some Notable Exceptions

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MY FATHER
MY FATHER
A Vietnam War Experience Vividly Told.

Don't Bunch Up: One Marine's Story and Some Notable Exceptions
William Van Zanten
Manufacturer: Archon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 020802347X

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MY FATHER.......2000-12-28

If you are interested in reading a REAL story about vietnam, this is it. My father is the man who wrote this book. Reading this book allowed me a great opportunity to learn about him...Come on, how many of you can figure out what makes the "old man" tick, especially if they were in that war? It was a very interesting and heartwarming experience to read this book. Many of you have had fathers that have been in this war. Sometimes after seeing all those Hollywood movies(i.e., Platoon, Hamburger Hill, need I go on?), you wonder how did he turn out so normal, and so good?? Let me tell you, he is the best man I know, and hope to always live up to. This is a remarkable story of his life and I believe it served a greater purpose for him to write it. To free his mind of the demons and to let us kids really reach into his heart and explore the great man that he is. Because, believe me, he is one humble god-loving man that will never realize the impact he has had on my life and many more...I am sure of that.READ IT

MY FATHER.......2000-12-28

A Vietnam War Experience Vividly Told........2000-04-03

From one Marine's experience comes a vivid retelling of what he experienced as a young U.S. Marine deployed into the early stages of the Vietnam War. It begins on aboard a troop ship sailing off the coast of South Vietnam. You can feel the tension and fear as these Marines are assembling to take the helicopter ride to shore to hunt and destroy the enemy. Makes one appreciate the U.S. Marine dedication to country and their focus on getting the job done. I thank the U.S. Marines for their service to our country. Thank you!

Amazon.com

Bill Gertz, who covers national security for the Washington Times, lays out a chilling argument against Bill Clinton's foreign policy in Betrayal. In his view, Clinton's "naive" strategies of "appeasement" with China and Russia have resulted in a betrayal of American interests, leaving "the United States weaker militarily as its enemies grow stronger and the world becomes more dangerous." According to Gertz, Clinton's policies have compromised national security: Clinton opposed development of a missile defense system that would derail arms control agreements with the Russians--even though they are believed to be developing such a system themselves. Gertz also maintains that the Russians are using U.S. aid targeted for decommissioning nuclear weapons to develop new weapons of mass destruction and to continue to develop new nuclear weapons.

Gertz also makes the case that the Clinton administration's sale of sophisticated computer and satellite technology to China was influenced by campaign contributions to the Democrats from Chinese and American executives. "The small but growing force of Chinese strategic nuclear missiles has become more reliable--thanks to American high technology," writes Gertz. He further charges that the Clinton administration has attempted to downplay the Chinese threat to U.S. security even though "China has undertaken a steady military buildup that is directly aimed at fighting a future war with the United States."

Betrayal asserts that the "most important legacy" of Bill Clinton's presidency may be "his dead serious disarmament of the United States and his self-serving appeasement of powerful and determined foreign enemies.... The administration's policies have endangered not only the United States," Gertz concludes, "but the peace and security of the entire world." --Linda Killian

Book Description

Bill Gertz has done more than any other reporter to expose the threat Bill Clinton's administration poses to U.S. national security. Now, using his extensive sources within the government and his unrivaled access to confidential documents, Gertz tells the whole, sordid story of an administration that has sold out our national security--and has gone to great lengths to cover it up.

Customer Reviews:

Chinese Loving Clinton.......2007-08-19

Bottom line, if you are interested in national security and policy, this is a great book to read. I am one of those people who love Bill Gertz as an author but hate him as a reporter. On one hand I think some of what he publishes should not be making it out into the public, for national security reasons, and on the other we need to see the truth. I really enjoyed this book because it points out all of the things that went on behind the scenes of the Clinton administration.

Hillary's supporters need to read this book! WJ Clinton was one of the worst defense Presidents the US has ever had and will be even for the foreseeable future. He managed to take a strong modern military (built up by Regan and Bush) and destroy its capabilities.

The only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars is that he sometimes seems to be spending a lot of energy on personal attacks against President Clinton. Granted, that is the gist of the book, but the arguments do seem a bit lopsided at times. In short, it gets a bit `ranty'.

Although I think Mr. Gertz needs to get some scruples as a reporter...in reality we need him to continue his digging.

The Second Cold War.......2007-05-30

I have a penchant for globetrotting intrigue and political mysteries, especially those involving secret power struggles and undercover, out of sight operatives dictating possible cataclysmic events. The only problem with Bill Gertz's "Betrayal: How the Clinton Administration Undermined American Security" is that it is all for real. Gertz, the national security reporter and defense correspondent for the conservative "Washington Times," must perform well at his day job to keep so well informed within the intelligence community. This work reveals the real tensions between the United States and Russia throughout the 1990s, a deadly tension cloaked amidst the smoke and mirrors but rendered insignificant or even false under President Bill Clinton's eight years of "peace and prosperity." Behind the spinning curtains, the U.S. and former Soviet Union remained as chilly, bitter rivals since the 'end' of the Cold War. Gertz dissects Clinton's pandering to the Yeltsin government and suggests that the administration's refusal to appear critical of the Russians led to their new nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities, which were developed and nurtured in deep secret. Now the authoritarian president Vladimir Putin is testing new missiles capable of penetrating European-based US defense systems. Is a second Cold War with Russia building underneath the shadows?

The book fails to mention the NATO-sponsored bombing of Kosovo, which also stoked the fires of the Russian behemoth in an attempt to intimidate the country with the US-led alliance. Russia wanted an occupation zone established in Kosovo, in the past a Soviet satellite. General Wesley Clark, after hearing of Russian plans to deliver armored vehicles to an airport in Pristina, near the border of Serbia proper, wanted to deny the Russians use of the airport by ordering British tanks to block the runways from incoming Russian planes. These events led British general Sir Michael Jackson to reply to Clark, "I'm not going to start the Third World War for you." after stoutly refusing the order. Former president Yeltsin even described how dangerously close a "world war" was when General Clark and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair proposed a ground invasion of Serbia. According to Webster Tarpley, the whole Kosovo operation harbored a behind-the-scenes proxy war between Russia and the United States (Webster Tarpley, "9/11 Synthetic Terrorism" 129-131).

Of course, Bill Clinton is not the end of the blame here. He rebuffed Clark and Blair's request of an invasion of Serbia. Although this book was published in the fall of 2001, an updated version should mention the May 2002 treaty between President Bush and Vladimir Putin to share American ballistic missile defense research/developments with Russia, including access to US command and control and testing data for U.S. theater and strategic ballistic missile defenses. Now the Russians are testing new missiles...

I never witnessed the Cold War. I was born as the Soviet Union began to crumble. May I yet live to see the day for another Cold War, another arms race?

Lackluster but marginally revealing..........2004-09-20

This is a Washington Times correspondant's look at Clinton Administration boon-doggles from overtures to the Red Chinese to foolish nuclear aid programs to North Korea. Succinctly stated Gertz indicts the former Clinton administration for it's blind eye on vital national security issues. Though, at times it seems trifling and it seems Gertz is fishing for intrigue. Since the highlight of the book is a spying Russian naval vessel blinding an American with a laser, I was kind of bored. But I still found some of the content redeeming.

Pretty Pernicious stuff.......2004-05-22

I am beginning to hate to read these books about President Clinton because it seems that everything he did as the President was to line his pockets.

In this one it starts out with a story that seems only mildly related with the lasers which was interesting. The next ones with the dealings with China makes you think that he did the sex stuff just to cause a diversion from what he was really doing. I could not believe how far his administration would go before they would put any sanctions on China considering they were selling all their nuclear secrets to Pakistan. China paid for him to get reelected.

It seemed like all the aerospace companies were hooked into this and they must have paid President.

The dealings with Russia seem to make Clinton out to be a fool allowing them to use the money to rebuild their country to build new nuclear weapons facilities. Then to let them stop us from creating a missile defense system so that they could sell Russia missile defense systems around the world. Finally we let them sell nuclear secrets to Iraq.

Did the Clinton administration think that no one would notice??? I just don't under stand.

I you want to see some shady dealing with the Clinton administration on foreign policy you will enjoy this book if you are a Clinton support get those spin stories ready.

Accurate portrayal of a moral relativist former President........2003-05-19

Bill Gertz is probably the foremost authority in the United States on American-Chinese relations. During the Clinton years Gertz kept America informed, through his brilliant articles in The Washington Times, regarding the Administration's ill-advised "policy of engagement" with China, a policy which, at the end of Clinton's eight years in office, had served to permit China to aid rogue nations in the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and to improve its arsenal of ICBMs, many of which were aimed at us, while aiding Mr. Clinton's Hollywood contributors and several unscrupulous high-tech corporations as they developed markets in China for their products.
As the author of "The China Connection," I was particularly interested in Gertz's carefully researched Chapter 5, "The Long March Forward" in which he describes how several American high-tech corporations, all huge contributors to the Democratic National Committee and to the Clinton Re-Election campaign, enabled the Chinese to not only greatly improve their commercial space launchers, but also to make their nuclear-tipped intercontinetal ballistic missiles more reliable. In my novel, "The China Connection" meticulously researched fact-based fiction, I show, through the actions and dialogue of characters, most of them based upon real people, the bankrupt moral and political philosophy behind the Clinton Administration in this area. I explain how moral relativism combined with political expediency can be dangerous characteristics when joined in politicians and others in positions of power who lack high moral standards. Yes! Character does count, and so does integrity, when electing our leaders.
I recommend "Betrayal" highly. After you've finished, I suggest picking up "The China Connection" as a painless, even enjoyable way of learning about the problem of moral relativism and how the actions of our former president strengthened the Chinese and endangered America during his years as president and far into the future.

Betrayal: How the Clinton Administration Undermined American Security.(Review) (book review): An article from: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

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Betrayal: How the Clinton Administration Undermined American Security.(Review) (book review): An article from: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Stephen I. Schwartz
Manufacturer: Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, published by Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc. on January 1, 2000. The length of the article is 1631 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Betrayal: How the Clinton Administration Undermined American Security.(Review) (book review)
Author: Stephen I. Schwartz
Publication: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 2000
Publisher: Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science, Inc.
Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Page: 67

Article Type: Book Review

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