Overview

Franklin Delano Roosevelt wasn't a born leader. He became one. As a boy he was in poor health, was insecure, and an average student at best. Growing into manhood, the lessons he learned came not from books but from influencers of his lifetime, beginning with Endicott Peabody, the most renowned US headmaster of the twentieth century. He instilled in Roosevelt a confidence and strength that empowered the young student and propelled him to greatness as one of the most revered presidents of the United States. For Roosevelt, Peabody was only one of a small number of people who helped him develop the skills and temperament that enabled him to overcome the devastating effects of polio, to lead the nation through two crises, and to secure America's leadership in the world. In FDR's Mentors, Michael Gerhardt tells the extraordinary stories of the men and women who had a vital impact on Roosevelt's life, career, and pragmatic personality- his distant cousin Teddy; his wife Eleanor; President Woodrow Wilson; journalist Lewis Howe; Winston Churchill; and New York Democratic Party leader Al Smith. Form the creation of the New Deal through Roosevelt's war with the Supreme Court to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt persevered with never-ending grit, grace, limitless optimistism, and patience. It is thanks to the invaluable personal connections, inspiration, and wisdom of those who shaped and informed FDR's historic presidency-one that has become a model of resilience and, in turn, an influence on every president who has followed in his path. A unique and illuminating exploration of the key relationships that shaped Franklin Delano Roosevelt into one of America's most definitive leaders and impacted his influence on the world stage, from presidential historian Michael J. Gerhardt, the acclaimed author of Lincoln's Mentors and principal adviser in the official annotation of the Constitution at the Library of Congress. Franklin Delano Roosevelt wasn't a born leader. He became one. As a boy he was in poor health, was insecure, and an average student at best. Growing into manhood, the lessons he learned came not from books but from influencers of his lifetime, beginning with Endicott Peabody, the most renowned US headmaster of the twentieth century. He instilled in Roosevelt a confidence and strength that empowered the young student and propelled him to greatness as one of the most revered presidents of the United States. For Roosevelt, Peabody was only one of a small number of people who helped him develop the skills and temperament that enabled him to overcome the devastating effects of polio, to lead the nation through two crises, and to secure America's leadership in the world. In FDR's Mentors, Michael Gerhardt tells the extraordinary stories of the men and women who had a vital impact on Roosevelt's life, career, and pragmatic personality- his distant cousin Teddy; his wife Eleanor; President Woodrow Wilson; journalist Lewis Howe; Winston Churchill; and New York Democratic Party leader Al Smith. Form the creation of the New Deal through Roosevelt's war with the Supreme Court to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt persevered with never-ending grit, grace, limitless optimistism, and patience. It is thanks to the invaluable personal connections, inspiration, and wisdom of those who shaped and informed FDR's historic presidency-one that has become a model of resilience and, in turn, an influence on every president who has followed in his path.

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9780806542539

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Reviews

"Praise for Michael J. Gerhardt: “Abraham Lincoln had less schooling than all but a couple of other presidents, and more wisdom than every one of them. In this original, insightful book, Michael Gerhardt explains how this came to be.” —The Wall Street Journal on Lincoln’s Mentors “Lincoln’s Mentors has a vital lesson for anyone who's trying to succeed, or trying to help others succeed. The book's big idea is that Lincoln, for all his gifts, was intentional about seeking out mentors who could help him master oratory, speechwriting, party politics, campaigning, conventions, executive power, managing a cabinet.” —Mike Allen, Axios on Lincoln’s Mentors   “Michael J. Gerhardt has devised an ingenious solution for demystifying America’s most enigmatic president: examining the key people who influenced Lincoln as he developed his own unique skills and leadership style. These pages trace how a poor backwoods farm boy rose to become among the most eloquent defenders of America’s highest ideals, as well as a steely and tenacious source of unity when the nation needed it most. Gerhardt shows that Lincoln’s genius was in borrowing selectively from the examples of his mentors—both the famous and the obscure—to become an unsurpassed original.” —Russell L. Riley, Co-chair of the Presidential Oral History Program at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center on Lincoln’s Mentors   “Understanding the ideas that shaped Lincoln’s mind helps us understand the ideas that shaped the American mind. In this illuminating book, Michael Gerhardt brings Lincoln’s intellectual and political mentors to life, offering vivid and unexpected insights about Lincoln and the teachers who inspired him.” —Jeffrey Rosen, President & CEO, National Constitution Center on Lincoln’s Mentors   ""Michael Gerhardt's Impeachment: What Everyone Needs to Know succinctly defines the procedure and summarizes its history, extent, and usage not only in Washington but in several states and around the world."" —WORLD"

Author Information

Michael J. Gerhardt is the Burton Craig Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Scholar in Residence at the National Constitution Center, and the acclaimed author of nonfiction books including FDR's Mentors, Lincoln's Mentors, The Federal Impeachment Process, and The Power of Precedent. A nationally recognized constitutional scholar who has testified more than twenty times before Congress, he was called by the House Judiciary Committee during President Trump's impeachment proceedings, spoke to the House of Representatives during President Clinton's impeachment, and twice served as CNN's impeachment expert. In addition, he was the first legal scholar to serve as the Library of Congress' principal adviser in revising the official annotation of the United States Constitution. He lives with his family in Chapel Hill, NC.

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