Book Review: Franklin and Winston By Jon Meacham

In January of 1943 President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet in Casablanca to discuss the coming end of World War Two and the peace after.  The meetings, at least for the press, were jovial and good natured.  Behind the closed doors, this was not always the case.

Meacham writes a really interesting account of the friendship between Churchill and Roosevelt.  Built out of political necessity, their friendship went through many of the cycles that a tumultuous romantic relationship would. After the friendship was sealed, things got down right domestic.  I'll have you read the book yourself or at least research the story, but I will say that "nakey time" is involved.

If you are interested in politics, or international relations this is a must.  My bias towards Meacham aside, this is a great way  to see just how major decisions during the war were made. If you a Churchill buff, you won't be disappointed. Roosevelt fan? Read the book! Like "nakey time?" Get ready!!

Shaken To Its Core: Father Charles Coughlin

Father Charles Coughlin 

Oh, capitalism shall never again flourish as once it did. Capitalism has been almost taxed out of existence in an effort to meet the coupons and the bonds, in an effort to meet the dole system that is absolutely unnecessary in a country of our wealth. Father Charles Coughlin 1937

 The radicalization of America during the Great Depression is best be encapsulated by the conversion of Father Charles E. Coughlin from zealous Roosevelt supporter to ardent opposers of the New Deal, Roosevelt, capitalism, and democracy. Once deemed by a top government official as “the most dangerous man in America behind John Dillinger,” Coughlin daftly used the medium of radio to spread a gospel that at times more closely resembled the dogmatic speeches of Adolph Hitler, than those of Jesus Christ crowds in the hundreds of thousands. From his early days of railing against the Klu Klux Klan, Coughlin used his charismatic speaking style to attract a loyal following that teetered on cult status.

Series Launch: Shaken To Its Core

It goes without saying that Great Depression brought about a dramatic change in the American landscape. President Franklin Roosevelt pressed through Congress a series of strikingly liberal legislation know as the New Deal ushering into the American political culture the notion that the public’s welfare was in fact the government’s responsibility. Roosevelt intentionally used his soothing firesides chats, careful manipulation of the media and overtly personable wife as a proxy to create, at least on the surface, a culture of calm. Americans were encouraged to pray, stick together, and most importantly have faith in institutions of government. Yet, the Great Depression was a time wrought with political, spiritual, economic and cultural upheaval. The cocksuredness of the 1920’s was replaced by a radicalism never before seen and an overarching tension that could, and did, erupt into utter chaos. Radical political parties, firebrand personalities, and riots left only a thin veneer of a nation recovering through self reliance and determination. Over the next three posts, The History Podcast will highlight some of the lesser known elements of the Great Depression as we look at the rise of radical political parties, Father Charles Coughlin who Franklin Roosevelt is reportedly to have said to be “the most dangerous man in American” and the food riots that increasingly became common in American cities.

Book Review - Traitor To His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt By H.W. Brands

Book Reviewed: 

Traitor To His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt By H.W. Brands

Mr. Lincoln’s Thoughts:

This book was an excellent biography on FDR and coverage of his presidency. All of the New Deal is covered in detail. Roosevelt’s struggle to pass his progressive agenda into law is well documented. My only problem with this book is what the title leaves in the way of perception. My perception, according to the title, was that the book would cover the reactions to the New Deal policies Roosevelt rolled out during his time in Washington. Rather than a blow by blow account of support and opposition, the reader is left with biography of the key players in the New Deal, a detailed account of Roosevelt’s daily life, and a rather extensive family history.