FDR and the American Crisis

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Marrin, A. (2016). FDR and the American crisis. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 

978-0385753623

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This is the story of a boy born into a wealthy family. Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a very luxurious and grand upbringing.  He was around important political figures, and this eventually led him to pursue politics and run for the presidential office.  

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In this multi-layered novel, the reader gets a glimpse into the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR).  The author does a great job of keeping the reader entertained.  There are fun anecdotes about FDR’s life woven in with facts about the current state of the country.  It was a perfect balance.  This book allows you to get up close and personal with FDR.  Whether it be about his childhood, his marriage, affairs, no part seemed to be left out of this novel.  We also get to see two sides to FDR.  One towards the beginning of the novel where everyone seemed to love and admire him, and one towards the end of his presidency where people despised him and wanted him out of his position.  It was interesting to see this shift.  

The novel contains hundreds of real life photos of FDR, his family, other companions and leaders.  There were pictures during the Prohibition era and iconic photos during the Great Depression.  All of the photos during this time period documented suffering, hard times, new inventions, and how people survived and made a living.  

The author did extensive research for this novel pulling from many other books, articles, websites, and journals.  The book was methodically laid out into different sections and for the most part followed a chronological time period of FDR’s life. In each section, there were numerous footnotes in every chapter that gave further clarification of the topics mentioned or gave credit to the original work.  

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist, STARRED REVIEW: "...frequent, illuminating photos; unimpeachable sourcing; and a breathtaking historical synthesis..."

Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW: "This well-researched and highly detailed examination of FDR and his presidency provides insight for readers generations removed from the events."

School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW: “Marrin blends biography and history in this masterly overview of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s leadership…”

5. CONNECTIONS

Other books by Albert Marrin:

Stalin: Russia’s Man of Steel              ISBN  9781893103092

A Light in the Darkness: Janusz Korczak, His Orphans, and the Holocaust   

                                  ISBN 9781524701208

Students can do further research over the Great Depression and learn more about the iconic photos included in this novel.  

Students can compare contrast Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin