The Roosevelt Presence: The Life and Legacy of FDR

Despite its lack of heft, Patrick Maney has produced a wonderfully balanced and nuanced portrait of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Indeed, Maney's book may be the finest jumping off point for those looking to get acquainted with FDR in full bloom, and not just with the nostalgic, sometimes mawkish, remembrances of politicians. When it comes to FDR, far too many readers, including a number of other reviewers here, only want to hear about positive aspects: the New Deal, winning World War II, etc. As a professional historian, Maney is not in the business of producing such hagiographies. As such, what we have here is the cool judgment and dispassionate analysis of a writer who is constructing a narrative of the historical record; not someone who is cheerleading for a particular political persuasion. Those who want a softer and friendlier treatment of Roosevelt should look elsewhere. In addition to Roosevelt's many triumphs, Maney provides great detail about some of FDR's more negative aspects, such the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, or his near pathological secrecy that kept him from grooming a successor. Maney also lays bare Roosevelt's personal peccadilloes, such as his long-term affair with Lucy Mercer.In the end, Maney has done a fine job of presenting Roosevelt, and he should be commended.

All ya'll been about misreviewing this book, but it was tight, yo! My man Maney gets scientific in his approach of talking about a cat nobody can touch, and he has the cojones to take a stand, and tell that s--t real. And none of you ever been to the Depression, so don't be even trying to talk about how he was wrong about it. Give Maney props, he gives an even-handed book telling of the many things, good and bad, or Franklin Roosevelt, our former president.

This careful, thoughtfully written study of FDR is not a biography but rather an assessment of his character and of his achievements. As such, it is a resounding success. FDR had his blemishes as a politician, but Maney's conclusion is sensible: During an era of extraordinary national crisis, FDR came up trumps. Not only are Maney's judgements of Roosevelt are sound, but his writing style is a pleasure to read.

Out of all of the books on FDR I'm not quite sure why I chose this one, but I do know that I don't regret it. The book practically read like a novel, although Maney confused my at a couple points. Sometimes he praised Roosevelt and made him look good, yet throughout most of the book he portrayed him as being overrated, it wasn't until the last chapter that I felt FDR was really worthy of his popularity. Maney attempted to give an unbiased view of what FDR really did, but I'd have to say that he failed. Maney also seemed to drag pointless parts on and on while giving important times in history only a brief synopsis. He also referred to Robert La Follette quite a few times with no apparent reason (his last biography, and only, was on Robert La Follette if that tells you anything). But if you can get over the little things it's actually a good book that I'd recommend. It's highly researched so be prepared to take in a TON of information in just a short book. It may not be the best FDR book on the shelf but it's atleast worth a look at.