F. D. R.; His Personal Letters 1905 - 1928

New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, 1948. Second printing [stated]. Hardcover. Good. Format is approximately 5.75 inches by 8.5 inches. xix, [1], 674, [2] pages. Some wear and soiling noted. Family tree on endpaper. Foreword by Eleanor Roosevelt. Illustrations. Index. This second volume of the personal letters of Franklin D. Roosevelt has proved to be of a far different character from the first volume. This volume, covering the years 1905 through 1928, presents for the first time a vivid portrait of the mature personality which the people came to know and understand during the Presidential years. It is the opinion of the editor of this volume that two people were primarily responsible for the interior survival of Franklin Roosevelt following the shattering attack of infantile paralysis. They should be credited with the amazing reactivation of his mental outlook and interest in life. Lois Howe and Anne Eleanor Roosevelt fought day and night for F.D.R.'s recovery, and, during the long years of recuperation, forced his mind back into an active, aggressive interest in national and world affairs. In this volume of the letters historians should be able to trace, easily, the final evolution of the man that was to be. Eleanor Roosevelt wrote "I hope that to his friends, these letters will give greater understanding of haw a man developed and that they will be a continuing contribution. This should be a book in their libraries which they can pick up from time to time, and obtain a little more insight and a little more inspiration to help them to enjoy life and to endure its vicissitudes with greater fortitude." Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 - April 12, 1945), often referred to by his initials FDR, was an American politician who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. A member of the Democratic Party, he won a record four presidential elections and became a central figure in world events during the first half of the 20th century. Roosevelt directed the federal government during most of the Great Depression, implementing his New Deal domestic agenda in response to the worst economic crisis in U.S. history. As a dominant leader of his party, he built the New Deal Coalition, which defined modern liberalism in the United States throughout the middle third of the 20th century. His third and fourth terms were dominated by World War II, which ended shortly after he died in office. Roosevelt is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the United States, as well as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Historians and political scientists consistently rank Roosevelt, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln as the three greatest presidents. Reflecting on Roosevelt's presidency, "which brought the United States through the Great Depression and World War II to a prosperous future", said FDR biographer Jean Edward Smith in 2007, "He lifted himself from a wheelchair to lift the nation from its knees." The rapid expansion of government programs that occurred during Roosevelt's term redefined the role of the government in the United States, and Roosevelt's advocacy of government social programs was instrumental in redefining liberalism for coming generations. Roosevelt firmly established the United States' leadership role on the world stage, with his role in shaping and financing World War II. His isolationist critics faded away, and even the Republicans joined in his overall policies. He also created a new understanding of the presidency, permanently increasing the power of the president at the expense of Congress.