Hamby, Alonzo (Roosevelt, Franklin D.)

Man of Destiny: FDR and the Making of the American Century

ISBN: 9780465028603
New York, NY: Basic Books/ Perseus Books Group, 2015. First Edition. Hardcover. "No president looms larger in twentieth-century American history than Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and few life stories can match his for sheer drama. Following in the footsteps of his Republican cousin, President Theodore Roosevelt, FDR devoted himself to politics as a Democrat and a true man of the people. Eventually setting his sights on the presidency, he was elected to office in 1932 by a nation that was mired in the Great Depression and desperate for revival. As the distinguished historian Alonzo Hamby argues in this authoritative biography, FDR's record as president was more mixed than we are often led to believe. The New Deal provided much-needed assistance to millions of Americans, but failed to restore prosperity, and while FDR became an outstanding commander-in-chief during World War II, his plans for the postwar world were seriously flawed. No less perceptive is Hamby's account of FDR's private life, which explores the dynamics of his marriage and his romance with his wife's secretary, Lucy Mercer. Hamby documents FDR's final months in intimate detail, claiming that his perseverance, despite his serious illness, not only shaped his presidency, but must be counted as one of the twentieth century's great feats of endurance." (from front flap) A biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), the longest-ever serving President of the United States & one of the most towering world figures of all time. Author Alonzo Hamby (b. 1940) is an acclaimed American historian & academician. While not a hagiography (as indicated by the above quote), this thoughtful, well-researched work does justice to its iconic subject & "...is a measured account of the life, both personal and public, of the most important American leader of the twentieth century." (from front flap) Hardcover in unclipped dust jacket, first edition, first printing as indicated by number sequence on copyright page. From the collection of Russell Taylor Weil (b. 1927), a prominent retired attorney & collector from Washington, DC. A collectible FDR biography in its rarest original form, with distinguished provenance. Book in very fine condition with only one small, light spot-stain from middle lower edge of front board; a touch of wear & a few tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of front, back covers & spine; one short scratch at side edge of text block. Interior very fine with only small indents at side-edges of a few page leaves (the result of scratch noted above). Dust jacket very fine with only a touch of rubbing, faint scratching to front, back covers, spine & flaps; a bit of wear & some tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same esp. spine-edges & corners. An extra handling fee will be added for shipping due to the weight of this item. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #5735]

Price: $40.00 save 10% $36.00