James MacGregor Burns
Booknotes, Sunday, May 6, 2001
James MacGregor Burns discusses The Three Roosevelts: Patrician Leaders Who Transformed America.
The leadership of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt dramatically reshaped the political landscape of our nation, from TR's Square Deal to FDR's New Deal and wartime leadership to Eleanor Roosevelt's pivotal role in the early days of the United Nations. The Three Roosevelts is the first biography to combine the intertwining lives of these three leaders, who emerged from the closed society of New York's Knickerbocker elite to become unwavering enemies of economic privilege and the most prominent American political family of the twentieth century. As Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author James MacGregor Burns and acclaimed historian Susan Dunn follow the evolution of the progressive Roosevelt political philosophy, they illuminate how Theodore's vision and example would inspire the careers of his fifth cousin Franklin and niece Eleanor. The Three Roosevelts traces TR's transformation from Harvard-bred socialite to Republican reformer, president, and Bull Moose radical who declared war on the "wealthy scoundrels" and plutocrats. Franklin Roosevelt would continue this crusade as he closely followed TR's example, imitating his career track to the White House. After FDR's death, Eleanor carried on the progressive Roosevelt legacy through personal activism and advocacy, becoming a tireless champion of the rights of women, minorities, and the poor. Insightful and authoritative, The Three Roosevelts is a fascinating portrait of three of America's most forceful leaders, whose legacy is as controversial today as their vigorous brand of progressive politics was in their own lifetimes. —from the publisher (timspalding)… (more)
The leadership of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt dramatically reshaped the political landscape of our nation, from TR's Square Deal to FDR's New Deal and wartime leadership to Eleanor Roosevelt's pivotal role in the early days of the United Nations. The Three Roosevelts is the first biography to combine the intertwining lives of these three leaders, who emerged from the closed society of New York's Knickerbocker elite to become unwavering enemies of economic privilege and the most prominent American political family of the twentieth century. As Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author James MacGregor Burns and acclaimed historian Susan Dunn follow the evolution of the progressive Roosevelt political philosophy, they illuminate how Theodore's vision and example would inspire the careers of his fifth cousin Franklin and niece Eleanor. The Three Roosevelts traces TR's transformation from Harvard-bred socialite to Republican reformer, president, and Bull Moose radical who declared war on the "wealthy scoundrels" and plutocrats. Franklin Roosevelt would continue this crusade as he closely followed TR's example, imitating his career track to the White House. After FDR's death, Eleanor carried on the progressive Roosevelt legacy through personal activism and advocacy, becoming a tireless champion of the rights of women, minorities, and the poor. Insightful and authoritative, The Three Roosevelts is a fascinating portrait of three of America's most forceful leaders, whose legacy is as controversial today as their vigorous brand of progressive politics was in their own lifetimes. —from the publisher (timspalding)… (more)
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