Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom (1940–1945)

The "engrossing" Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award-winning history of FDR's final years (Barbara Tuchman) .The second entry in James Macgregor Burns's definitive two-volume biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt begins with the president's precedent-breaking third term election in 1940, just as Americans were beginning to face the likelihood of war. Here, Burns examines Roosevelt's skillful wartime leadership as well as his vision for post-war peace. Hailed by William Shirer as "the definitive book on Roosevelt in the war years," and by bestselling author Barbara Tuchman as "engrossing, informative, endlessly readable," The Soldier of Freedom is a moving profile of a leader gifted with rare political talent in an era of extraordinary challenges, sacrifices, heroism, and hardship. Read more Continue reading Read less REVIEW
"Incisively and vividly written . . . Burns's best book." - LIFE"[A] book of broad scope that never shirks the complexities and difficult judgments on Roosevelt's conduct of office . . ." - The New York Times ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James MacGregor Burns (b. 1918) is a bestselling American historian and political scientist whose work has earned both the National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize. Born in Boston, Burns fell in love with politics and history at an early age. He earned his BA at Williams College, where he returned to teach history and political science after obtaining his PhD at Harvard and serving in World War II. Burns's two-volume biography of Franklin Roosevelt is considered the definitive examination of the politician's rise to power, and his groundbreaking writing on the subject of political leadership has influenced scholars for decades. He currently serves as the Woodrow Wilson Professor of Government Emeritus at Williams College and as Distinguished Leadership Scholar at the University of Maryland. Read more Continue reading Read less