jjares reviewed Churchill and Roosevelt: A Captivating Guide to the Life of Franklin and Winston on + 3261 more book reviews
This is the combined offering of Captivating History; since these men worked so hard together, it seemed fitting to put them together. This book mentions that FDR and Churchill spent 132 days together during the world war. That's some companionship.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT --
Before I begin, let me share my bias up-front. I absolutely loathe FDR. Period. This book bears out my bias, by the time FDR left the New York governor's house, he'd squandered the $15 million surpluses (in the state) and put it into $90 million debt. He couldn't wait to lead the national government, to squander billions more. OK, I've said my piece, I can evaluate the rest.
FDR was the only child of his parents, from wealthy Dutch and Flemish stock, long in America. Mom was the main influence on FDR's life; father was often gone with business. Mom wanted to be the most important person in her son's life.
The info about Eleanor's six children feeling that she did not know how to love them was tragic. Perhaps it is fortunate that Eleanor and Franklin were so active with politics and the war because they certainly were failures as parents (note the multiple marriages of the children; Elliott himself had 6).
This book isn't shy about sharing the foibles of FDR. It also accurately portrays FDR during the war and how he moved from isolationism to participation in the war.
WINSTON CHURCHILL --
Winston was another man born into privilege with a first-class education. Churchill played the mediator between FDR and Stalin. Churchill was the glue that kept the Allied powers together. Churchill was robust and involved emotionally in his beliefs; FDR was always cordial but quieter about his beliefs. Both were natural leaders.
This book shows what a symbiotic relationship FDR and Churchill had; together they were much more effective than if they operated alone.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT --
Before I begin, let me share my bias up-front. I absolutely loathe FDR. Period. This book bears out my bias, by the time FDR left the New York governor's house, he'd squandered the $15 million surpluses (in the state) and put it into $90 million debt. He couldn't wait to lead the national government, to squander billions more. OK, I've said my piece, I can evaluate the rest.
FDR was the only child of his parents, from wealthy Dutch and Flemish stock, long in America. Mom was the main influence on FDR's life; father was often gone with business. Mom wanted to be the most important person in her son's life.
The info about Eleanor's six children feeling that she did not know how to love them was tragic. Perhaps it is fortunate that Eleanor and Franklin were so active with politics and the war because they certainly were failures as parents (note the multiple marriages of the children; Elliott himself had 6).
This book isn't shy about sharing the foibles of FDR. It also accurately portrays FDR during the war and how he moved from isolationism to participation in the war.
WINSTON CHURCHILL --
Winston was another man born into privilege with a first-class education. Churchill played the mediator between FDR and Stalin. Churchill was the glue that kept the Allied powers together. Churchill was robust and involved emotionally in his beliefs; FDR was always cordial but quieter about his beliefs. Both were natural leaders.
This book shows what a symbiotic relationship FDR and Churchill had; together they were much more effective than if they operated alone.
