This revealing biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt shows how one of the most consequential leaders in American history found his true self in his searing struggle with polio-emerging from illness with a strength and wisdom he would use to inspire the world.
In popular memory, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the quintessential political"natural." Born in 1882 to a wealthy, influential family and blessed with an abundance of charm andcharisma, he seemed destined for high office. Yet for all his gifts, theyoung Roosevelt nonetheless lacked depth, empathy, and an ability to think strategically. Thosequalities, so essential to his success as president, were skills he acquired duringhisseven-yearjourneythrough illness and recovery.
Becoming FDR traces the rivetingstory of the struggle that forged Roosevelt's character and political ascent. Soon after contracting polio in 1921at the age of thirty-nine,the former failed vice-presidentialcandidate was left paralyzed from the waist down. Hespentmuch of the nextdecade trying torehabilitate his body and adapt to thestark new reality of his life. By the time he reemerged on the national stagein 1928 as the Democratic candidate for governor of New York,hischaracter and his abilities had been transformed. He had become compassionate and shrewd bynecessity, tailoring his speeches to inspire listeners and to reach them through a new medium-radio. Suffering cemented his bond with those he once famously called"the forgotten man." Most crucially, he had discovered how to find hope in aseemingly hopeless situation-a skill that he employed to motivateAmericans through the Great Depression and World War II. The polio yearswere transformative, too, for the marriage of Franklin and Eleanor, and for Eleanor herself, who became, at first reluctantly, her husband's surrogate at public events, and who grew to become a political and humanitarian force in her own right.
Tracing the physical, political,and personal evolutionof the iconic president, Becoming FDR shows howadversity can lead togreatness, and to the power to remake the world.
