A Companion to Franklin D. Roosevelt

The only United States president elected to four terms of office, Franklin Delano Roosevelt shepherded the nation through its most tumultuous period since the Civil War. A Companion to Franklin D. Roosevelt presents a collection of historiographical essays by leading FDR scholars that provides a comprehensive review of the scholarship on key elements of this central figure during the two critical events that shaped the modern world: the Great Depression and World War II. The essays cover all aspects of FDR′s life and times, including his political, military, and economic decisions, fully discussing the scholarship to date as well as sketching out areas in need of further research. Themes and topics range from Roosevelt′s health, relationships, Supreme Court packing, to New Deal policies, institutional issues, and international relations. A Companion to Franklin D. Roosevelt is the most comprehensive and authoritative source on a twentieth–century icon whose optimism and vitality led America from the nadir of the worst depression in world history to the brink of victory over Germany and Japan.

List of Figures. Preface. Notes on Contributors. 1. FDR Biographies (Kenneth E. Hendrickson, Jr.). 2. Eleanor Roosevelt Biographies (Norman W. Provizer). 3. Pre–Presidential Career (Timothy Kneeland). 4. Physical and Psychological Health (Robert P. Watson). 5. The Election of 1932 (Donald A. Ritchie). 6. The 1936–1944 Campaigns (Sean J. Savage). 7. Urban and Regional Interests (Stefano Luconi). 8. Minorities (Cherisse Jones–Branch). 9. Labor (Martin Halpern). 10. Business (Patrick D. Reagan). 11. Opponents at Home and Abroad (Joseph Edward Lee). 12. As a Communicator (Betty Houchin Winfield). 13. The New Deal (June Hopkins). 14. Banking System (James S. Olson and Brian Domitrovic). 15. Agriculture (Jean Choate). 16. Conservation (Byron W. Daynes). 17. Political Culture (Richard M. Fried). 18. Human Rights (Wesley K. Mosier). 19. The Institutional Presidency (Rodney A. Grunes). 20. Political and Administrative Style (Margaret C. Rung). 21. The Congress (John Thomas McGuire). 22. The Supreme Court (Stephen K. Shaw). 23. The American Military (Lance Janda). 24. Science and Technology (Peter K. Parides). 25. Intelligence (Blake Dunnavent). 26. Relations with the British and French (Kevin E. Smith). 27. Relations with Canada (Galen Roger Perras). 28. The Good Neighbor Policy and the Americas (Michael R. Hall). 29. Relations with the Soviet Union (William E. Kinsella, Jr.). 30. Relations with China and India (William Ashbaugh). 31. Relations with Japan (William Ashbaugh). 32. Relations with Italy and Germany (Regina U. Gramer). 33. Relations with Spain (David A. Messenger). 34. International Legacy (Mary Stockwell). 35. Political Reputation (Patrick J. Maney). Bibliography. Index.

William D. Pederson is the American Studies Endowed Chair, Professor, and Director of the International Lincoln Center for American Studies at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. His most recent publications include James Madison (2008) and Lincoln Lessons (2009).

“Overall this is a great addition to the literature on Franklin Roosevelt, combining as it does an encapsulation of all the historical research about him and his presidency in every aspect from conservation and the Supreme Court to war policy and relations with Canada.”  ( Expofairs , 13 March 2013) “So librarians who have readers with an interest in this subject should watch out for further books in the series.”  ( Reference Reviews , 2012) "The range of essays, each with endnotes and further readings, is impressive; the book covers not only the usual subjects such as the New Deal, foreign relations, and the presidential elections, but other less discussed issues such as conditions and treatment of minorities and land conservation . . . For serious students of FDR′s presidency, from undergraduates to faculty and scholars, this is an indispensable foundational source." (Library Journal, 2011)