Stunning book concerning America from 1929 to 1945. Kennedy is brilliant. ( )

Kennedy, David M., Freedom From Fear: The American People in the Depression and War, 1929-1945, New York, Oxford University Press: 1999

In Freedom From Fear, David M. Kennedy outlines the events that create a fundamental shift in American ideology through the Great Depression and World War II eras. Thematically divided between these two connected eras, Freedom From Fear examines reform measures in both eras to illustrate the shift in American philosophy from a Laissez Faire and isolationist mentality to a protected worker and internationalist outlook. Thus Kennedy also marks these two eras as a bridge between pre-Depression America and post-World War II (or modern) America. However, the strongest thematic element in the synthesis is Roosevelt’s own crusade to secure America against internal and external fears - against labor unrest and insecurity and isolationism.
The first twelve chapters cover the Depression era and the triumph and trials of Roosevelt’s first two administrations. Roosevelt sounds the tone of his administration when he admonishes Americans, through the new medium of radio, that the “only thing we have to fear is fear itself (page 134).” The people were not at fault but rather the “money changers” had lead America astray. Having established the common troubles leading to the current crisis, Roosevelt continued by announcing the solution to the problems: more government oversight.
To this end, Roosevelt redefined America’s definition of security. In simpler times, American security rested on the “interdependence of each other and families within a small community (page 245).” However, the changing and growing communities, lead by organized industry, had undermined those values, making it less possible for that security to be attained by everyone. Roosevelt felt “compelled” to use National government to ensure the security and welfare of the individuals of the nation. Drawing upon the tenets of the Founding Fathers, Roosevelt linked his reform to the ideology of “promoting the general welfare” as promised in the Constitution. Roosevelt placed “security of the men, women, and children of the Nation first (page 246).” The various New Deal programs aimed to carry out his mandate. Roosevelt’s legacy in domestic security was the change wrought by government oversight in many areas but chiefly in the financial world that brought security to “capitalists and consumers (page 365).”
The remaining ten chapters of the book encompassed the Second World War and Roosevelt’s remaining two administrations. Kennedy illustrated how the Great War had neither “extinguished ambitions that ignited the war nor quieted the anxieties it had spawned.” Other world leaders reactions to those two factors pushed the world into the next war. Roosevelt guided the United States’ interests in a neutral mode while continuing to remain true to his own themes from the Depression era concerning freedom from fear. Roosevelt cloaked his policy in the mantle of what he called the four freedoms: “freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from want and from fear (page 469).”
Roosevelt’s war policies offered a jumble of results. He moved America toward an internationalist policy and towards less domestic discrimination but also introduced some domestic fears during the war. On the domestic front, Japanese American interment in containing camps was a gross abridgement of freedom from fear. Contrasted to Roosevelt’s executive Order 1808 demarking a non-discrimination policy towards people of color (among other things), it is hard to see a more drastic abuse of the very issues Roosevelt was trying to address. In his last inaugural address, Roosevelt defined America’s new anti-isolationist policy. Stating that Americans must “live as men and not as ostriches,” Roosevelt further admonished the American public that there can be “no lasting peace” if that peace is approached with “suspicion and mistrust – or with fear.” In essence, Roosevelt extended his ideals of democratic security to the world. ( )

3285. Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945. by David M. Kennedy (read Jan 17, 2000) This is a volume in the emerging Oxford History of the U.S. and I found it a superlative reading experience. I thought the account of the Depression and the New Deal well-balanced, meaning it was less pro-Roosevelt than I am, but I think it is accurate. The account of the War I found really catching and most satisfying reading. This was undoubtedly the most enjoyable reading I did this month, and saying that takes nothing away from other things I read. ( )

This book is HUGE but a great read. It won the Pulitizer Prize and it is obvious why. Not only is it thoroughly researched but it is an easy read. The author's writing flows and he really brings the period to life. It is a long book, almost a thousand pages, but it is an important addition to the historiography of this period.

I highly recommend this for historians, history buffs, and anyone else. ( )