Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

by: H. W. Brands

Published by: Anchor Books

Reviewed by Paul Markowitz

One may wonder the necessity for another voluminous biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, no matter how good it might be. There are no new or insightful details here. There are no revelations. There is no new analysis of his motivations or rationales. What there is in this Pulitzer Prize finalist is simply first-rate storytelling by a gifted historian and biographer who brings to vivid life the people and events of the time.

The first third of the book is devoted to his upbringing and early political career. We see him reject his upper class birth for a progressive everyman agenda adopted out of inclination rather than opportunism. Brands does not shy away from the less altruistic aspects of FDR’s character however. We see his barely contained competitiveness with his famous uncle, Teddy Roosevelt. We also see his all-consuming passion to be President as he plots and maneuvers his career projectory. In the process Brands captures the enigma that was FDR.

These enigmatic qualities along with a keen intelligence and an uncommon shrewdness get full airing in the larger portion of the book devoted to his presidency. We see the confident Governor forcefully transform a complacent governmental system as he takes on first the Great Depression and finally the country’s enemies in World War II.

Ultimately Brands narrative gift is what lifts this biography above the rest of the genre. To read his interpretation of the transformative events of the time, gives the reader a profound and tangible sense of the experience.

Armchair Interviews says: A 5-star read for any history bluff or anyone who relishes superb storytelling.

Author’s Web site: http://www.HWBrands.com