Patrick Renshaw (1936–2023)

The scope of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency offers a considerable challenge for any prospective biographer. The twelve years of his presidency encompassed two of the most momentous events in American history, and his approach to each could (and has) merited important studies in and of themselves. Added to the challenge is the opaque nature of Roosevelt's inner self, which often left him inscrutable even to those who were closest to him, yet must be addressed by biographer in any serious show more effort to understand him. Many writers who have made such an effort have produced multi-volume works that are often left incomplete, and even single-volume biographies are often massive in size.

Yet in spite of this, Patrick Renshaw manages to pull off the impressive feat of providing a concise yet insightful assessment of Roosevelt’s life and career. In accordance with the “Profiles in Power” series, his focus is on how Roosevelt used power as president, yet his scope encompasses the whole of FDR’s life, including such topics as his complicated relationship with his wife Eleanor, the personal impact of his polio affliction, and his affairs with other women. All are addressed within the context of Renshaw’s theme, yet it is done in such a way as to provide a better understanding of who Roosevelt was as a person. Because of this, his book serves not just as a good study of FDR’s use of power but as the best short biography of Roosevelt available, one that is ideal for anyone seeking a concise introduction to the life and career of America’s 32nd president. show less

The trouble with unions is disunity, factional infighting, and there is plenty of that in this book. Eventually the syndicalists prevail. What exactly was a syndicalist? It isn’t clear from this book, which could benefit from a glossary of terms. What exactly was an anarcho-syndicalist? What was a Menshevik? The author assumes that you already know these terms. And this book could use a roster of the leading players and where they stood on the divisive issues. Maybe even a chart or graph. show more Because there are lots of characters in this drama and the beginning reader may have trouble sorting them out. Some interesting ones among them: Mother Jones, Emma Goldman, Lucy Parsons, William Z. Foster, Joe Hill, Eugene Debs, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Frank Little.

It is a story of struggle for justice and dignity against relentless and brutal persecution. Not a pleasant read, but important. Also a never-ending struggle against internal dissensions and lack of money. The author is sympathetic to the IWW and its aims, but not noticeably biased. Its aims were revolutionary in theory: to unite all workers into one big union, to emancipate them all and put an end to the wage system. Revolutionary, but not violent in theory. As I read this book, I could not help thinking of today’s “Occupy” protesters. There are parallels.

Was the IWW a success or a failure? This book concludes that it left “a mark in the field of civil liberties,” influenced later organizations such as the CIO, and had “an importance which goes beyond its achievements and failures.”

Indexed, with bibliography. Illustrated with archival photos. Recommended to those interested in labor history or early twentieth century American history.

This review based on 1968 paperback edition. show less

Reviewed in the March 1968 issue of the Socialist Standard:

http://socialiststandardmyspace.blogspot.com/2010/07/wobblies.html