--- product_id: 11400762 title: "Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt" price: "€ 58.99" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.gr/products/11400762-traitor-to-his-class-the-privileged-life-and-radical-presidency store_origin: GR region: Greece --- # Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt **Price:** € 58.99 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt - **How much does it cost?** € 58.99 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.gr](https://www.desertcart.gr/products/11400762-traitor-to-his-class-the-privileged-life-and-radical-presidency) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A brilliant evocation of one of the greatest presidents in American history by the two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, bestselling historian, and author of Our First Civil War "It may well be the best general biography of Franklin Roosevelt we will see for many years to come.” — The Christian Science Monitor Drawing on archival material, public speeches, correspondence and accounts by those closest to Roosevelt early in his career and during his presidency, H. W. Brands shows how Roosevelt transformed American government during the Depression with his New Deal legislation, and carefully managed the country's prelude to war. Brands shows how Roosevelt's friendship and regard for Winston Churchill helped to forge one of the greatest alliances in history, as Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin maneuvered to defeat Germany and prepare for post-war Europe. Look for H.W. Brands's other biographies: THE FIRST AMERICAN (Benjamin Franklin), ANDREW JACKSON, THE MAN WHO SAVED THE UNION (Ulysses S. Grant), and REAGAN. Review: A Dose of Reality Sets a Political Tone - In the landscape of historical books there is a plethora of long gone forests expended in describing the life and times of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I have read two rather distinctive and thorough accounts of FDR being Conrad Black's "Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Champion of Freedom" and Doris Kearns Goodwin's "No Ordinary Time". Both these books were outstanding works and gave excellent perspectives on FDR's life. However, what H.W. Brands has done is to answer the ultimate question of this privileged patrician born to the equivalence of "American Aristocracy". That rather simple journalistic question is "why". When using "why" in the context of why as a privileged son of American capitalism did he utilize the auspices of government to help all socio economic classes? As stated by the Author, FDR was living the high structured and favored life of high class Americans in which he held legislative offices in New York State and later performed the duties of assistant navy secretary in the Wilson Administration. His goal was the ultimate prize for men of his social rank, that being the Presidency of the United States. His desire was to emulate and even surpass the accomplishments of his distant cousin Teddy Roosevelt. Here's where Brands' take provides an interesting and divergent path. The Author goes into detail of why FDR became the "President for all the people". It was in 1921 that FDR contracted polio and life as he knew it changed not only for his life but in essence later for the lives of all Americans. While convalescing in rural Georgia at Warm Springs, FDR began to realize by firsthand knowledge how people lived lives constricted by limited economic resources. When FDR asked about poverty and was answered that low crop prices affected the whole economic scene he realized the first hand problems of ordinary people. The facts became apparent to FDR as to how people were manipulated by the upper economic classes. By living with and talking with the locals, FDR came to identify with the economic entrapments of the lower and middle classes. It's as if he received a cold slap in the face. What Brands has done in this wonderful treatise is to give us the true founding of FDR's political philosophy. Brands spends 2/3 of the book expounding on the formation of this political philosophy onto the "New Deal" domestic policies. Later in the book, we get to know how FDR guided our country through the slippery slopes of isolationism and onward to being a world leader in World War II. In all, Brands brings us closer to understanding FDR. In reality, FDR still remains an enigma. We understand him, we think, do we? This reminds me of the Cheshire cat in "Alice in Wonderland", now we see him, now we don't. Where is that cat?? Great insight! The cat gave it 10 Stars!! Review: In the room - This great biography was one of the greatest reading experiences of my life, I’m prejudiced. I was born in 1933shortly after FDR assumed the presidency and my first recollection in life was seeing him in the flesh. The president was my family’s savior according to my grandfather; in the nick of time, his New Deal panoply of programs there was just enough support from the federal government to save us from going under, and he and the rest of the adults swore to that fact till the days they departed this coil. Until the great day itself, I had no knowledge of the great man, but every moment since whenever he becomes the subject of conversation, I represent the traitor to his class’s standing in the present members as the man who saved us from destitution and other forms of ruin. On a day in autumn of 1936, I was told we were going to see the greatest living human being come to our city, Brockton, MA. We to ask for our support in his quest for a second term – my mother, my grandfather and – I suppose other members of the clan - walked up the road to Main St. and joined the largest assembly of people I had ever seen or could conjure. We were packed like sardines with all eyes facing north toward Boston. Flags were waving and everyone was smiling. Suddenly a corps of police motorcyclists appeared, their engines purring loudly. My grandfather hoisted me to his shoulders, and he and my mother shouted to me, “There he is, there he is!” And I saw him; I did. In my mind I can still recreate the scene. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I embellished what I saw; today I see the great smile with a cigarette holder jauntily clenched bearing a trailing tail of gray. But I don’t know if I saw those details or added them later. BUT I SAW FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT THAT DAY. And I will never forget it. It was a religious experience for us as my Grampa hopped beneath me and demanded that, “I see him!” When I was eleven years all Pall settled over us, our hero was dead! Dead on the cusp of victory in the greatest war in the history of humanity. My mother and I wept, and the men barely controlled their own Niagaras. I sat down and composed a letter to President Truman begging him not to change anything. I have no idea whether the adults sent it on to the White House, but I it wrote in all seriousness. Professor Brand’s great biography brought it all back. I’ve read bios of many great people, but Brand’s tops them all for me. In part III, The Fate of the World, Brand had me in the room with FDR as he made some of the most fateful decisions in the history of human existence – and I agonized with him on each. For anyone wishing to get the feel for the time of The Great Depression and World War II which has given the globe more than eighty years without war between the great powers, this a book to savor. Read it; treasure it’s a masterpiece. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #48,342 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #68 in US Presidents #82 in History & Theory of Politics #268 in U.S. State & Local History | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 800 Reviews | ## Images ![Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61NMqxE2ZTL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Dose of Reality Sets a Political Tone *by R***E on November 18, 2009* In the landscape of historical books there is a plethora of long gone forests expended in describing the life and times of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. I have read two rather distinctive and thorough accounts of FDR being Conrad Black's "Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Champion of Freedom" and Doris Kearns Goodwin's "No Ordinary Time". Both these books were outstanding works and gave excellent perspectives on FDR's life. However, what H.W. Brands has done is to answer the ultimate question of this privileged patrician born to the equivalence of "American Aristocracy". That rather simple journalistic question is "why". When using "why" in the context of why as a privileged son of American capitalism did he utilize the auspices of government to help all socio economic classes? As stated by the Author, FDR was living the high structured and favored life of high class Americans in which he held legislative offices in New York State and later performed the duties of assistant navy secretary in the Wilson Administration. His goal was the ultimate prize for men of his social rank, that being the Presidency of the United States. His desire was to emulate and even surpass the accomplishments of his distant cousin Teddy Roosevelt. Here's where Brands' take provides an interesting and divergent path. The Author goes into detail of why FDR became the "President for all the people". It was in 1921 that FDR contracted polio and life as he knew it changed not only for his life but in essence later for the lives of all Americans. While convalescing in rural Georgia at Warm Springs, FDR began to realize by firsthand knowledge how people lived lives constricted by limited economic resources. When FDR asked about poverty and was answered that low crop prices affected the whole economic scene he realized the first hand problems of ordinary people. The facts became apparent to FDR as to how people were manipulated by the upper economic classes. By living with and talking with the locals, FDR came to identify with the economic entrapments of the lower and middle classes. It's as if he received a cold slap in the face. What Brands has done in this wonderful treatise is to give us the true founding of FDR's political philosophy. Brands spends 2/3 of the book expounding on the formation of this political philosophy onto the "New Deal" domestic policies. Later in the book, we get to know how FDR guided our country through the slippery slopes of isolationism and onward to being a world leader in World War II. In all, Brands brings us closer to understanding FDR. In reality, FDR still remains an enigma. We understand him, we think, do we? This reminds me of the Cheshire cat in "Alice in Wonderland", now we see him, now we don't. Where is that cat?? Great insight! The cat gave it 10 Stars!! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In the room *by W***N on March 14, 2024* This great biography was one of the greatest reading experiences of my life, I’m prejudiced. I was born in 1933shortly after FDR assumed the presidency and my first recollection in life was seeing him in the flesh. The president was my family’s savior according to my grandfather; in the nick of time, his New Deal panoply of programs there was just enough support from the federal government to save us from going under, and he and the rest of the adults swore to that fact till the days they departed this coil. Until the great day itself, I had no knowledge of the great man, but every moment since whenever he becomes the subject of conversation, I represent the traitor to his class’s standing in the present members as the man who saved us from destitution and other forms of ruin. On a day in autumn of 1936, I was told we were going to see the greatest living human being come to our city, Brockton, MA. We to ask for our support in his quest for a second term – my mother, my grandfather and – I suppose other members of the clan - walked up the road to Main St. and joined the largest assembly of people I had ever seen or could conjure. We were packed like sardines with all eyes facing north toward Boston. Flags were waving and everyone was smiling. Suddenly a corps of police motorcyclists appeared, their engines purring loudly. My grandfather hoisted me to his shoulders, and he and my mother shouted to me, “There he is, there he is!” And I saw him; I did. In my mind I can still recreate the scene. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I embellished what I saw; today I see the great smile with a cigarette holder jauntily clenched bearing a trailing tail of gray. But I don’t know if I saw those details or added them later. BUT I SAW FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT THAT DAY. And I will never forget it. It was a religious experience for us as my Grampa hopped beneath me and demanded that, “I see him!” When I was eleven years all Pall settled over us, our hero was dead! Dead on the cusp of victory in the greatest war in the history of humanity. My mother and I wept, and the men barely controlled their own Niagaras. I sat down and composed a letter to President Truman begging him not to change anything. I have no idea whether the adults sent it on to the White House, but I it wrote in all seriousness. Professor Brand’s great biography brought it all back. I’ve read bios of many great people, but Brand’s tops them all for me. In part III, The Fate of the World, Brand had me in the room with FDR as he made some of the most fateful decisions in the history of human existence – and I agonized with him on each. For anyone wishing to get the feel for the time of The Great Depression and World War II which has given the globe more than eighty years without war between the great powers, this a book to savor. Read it; treasure it’s a masterpiece. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Fair and Balanced" Admiration *by G***O on April 2, 2009* H.W. Brands's admiration of FDR as a human being and as a politician is scarcely concealed. Here's his summary encomium from the last chapter of his biography, describing the reaction of Americans to the President's death: "[His presidency] had been a remarkable accomplishment, reflecting a unique bond between the President and the American people. They put their faith in Roosevelt because he put his faith in them. He believed in democracy -- in the capacity of ordinary Americans, exercising their collective judgement, to address the ills of that afflicted their society. He refused to rely on the invisible hand of the marketplace, for the compelling reason that during his lifetime the invisible hand had wreaked very visible havoc on millions of unoffending Americans. He refused to accept that government invariably bungled whatever it attempted, and his refusal inspired government efforts that had a tremendous positive effect on millions of marginal farmers, furloughed workers, and struggling merchants..." If that encomium seems more rhetorical than analytical to you, you're not alone. This journalistic biography is best at portraying personalities and personality clashes, and weakest at historical contextualization. In attempting to be moderately detached, Brands details FDR's weaknesses, frivolities, and errors -- his overweening ambition, his marital cruelties and follies, his manipulative relationships with friends -- but the overall picture is extremely engaging. It's easy to see how Roosevelt overcame both his advantages and disadvantages to become the master politician and popular icon that he undeniably was. The narrative breaks rather schematically into three sections: Roosevelt's youth and political activities before 1932, his two terms of office during the Depression, and his wartime years. Of the three 'acts,' the first is the most carefully constructed and the clearest in intention. Brands depict FDR as the product of extraordinary privilege and insulation from the lives of ordinary folk. At the same time, he links Roosevelt's development to the example of his predecessor and relative, Theodore, demonstrating fairly convincingly that FDR's economic and social platform derived more from Progressivism than from any ideology of the Democratic Party. It was his illness and paralysis, Brands argues, that brought FDR into contact with and empathy for the less-privileged Americans, and that forged his strengths as a leader in crises. Brands's focus during FDR's first two terms in the White House is on his political challenges -- his dealings with his own party and with Congress; his relationships with his aides and advisors, and the occasional rivalries between those aides; his election strategies, etc. Brands keeps all these juggling pins aloft with some skill, but unfortunately I was hoping for a different kind of analysis of these years, more in fulfillment of the iimplications of the book's title. Brands is at his most shallow in placing the "New Deal" in the context of American social history. Alas, that's what I was looking for, a coherent summary of the very real and very permanent changes in American society than accompanied the New Deal, with some answer to such questions as: 1. What was new about the Deal? 2. Whose Deal was it really? 3. How much did the New Deal embody Roosevelt's own vision? Brands portrays FDR's confrontations with Labor leader John L Lewis, for instance, entirely in terms of personalities and passing events, but the changes in labor relations and labor law during the New Deal years were among the most important developments of the era, and the underlying question is to what degree can those changes be considered accomplishments of Roosevelt's "betrayal" of his class. America arrived at the end of World War I still maintaining the class assumptions of common law master-servant relationships, but by the 1930s America was no longer a land of apprentices, master craftsmen, and yeoman farmers. Instead it was a nation of wage earners, and it was FDR's great opportunity to shape new perceptions and new laws to suit such new realities. That's what the NRA was about - not merely market recovery - and that's what FDR's confrontation with the 'nine old men' of the Supreme Court amounted to. The victories that FDR achieved with his liberal appointment to the Court, victories which were partly consolidated by his third electoral triumph and by the democratizing effect of his plans for benefits for returning soldiers, were in effect a "new and better" deal for ordinary Americans. Frankly, too much attention has been paid to the 'recovery' issues of the New Deal -- particularly with 75% or more of Americans keeping their jobs and doing rather well on the basis of price deflation -- and too little to the transformation of America from the hierarchical Gilded Age portrayed by novelists like Edith Wharton and Henry James to the bland but prosperous and egalitarian America post WW2. Brands establishes in his prologue, where he foreshadows the trauma of Pearl Harbor, that his deepest adulation of Roosevelt is reserved for his war leadership. Once again, the narrative focuses on interpersonal confrontations, chiefly between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, and to a lesser degree between Roosevelt and his generals. Oddly enough, however, by the time Brands gets to his chosen topic, his writing has become less cogent and carefully ordered. Many of the severest critics of this book, and by implication of Roosevelt himself as a war leader, are dismayed by the portrayal of Roosevelt's amiability toward Stalin. The critics howl that Roosevelt was naive, or that he was secretly sympathetic to communism, and that Brands should have revealed that ideological 'treachery.' What Brands does reveal is that Roosevelt had every bit as much trouble with Churchill's motivations as with Stalin's. Honestly, whether you side with those who denounce FDR's policies toward the USSR, or with those who applaud his wartime leadership, you won't find much to support your bias in this entertaining but superficial biography. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.gr/products/11400762-traitor-to-his-class-the-privileged-life-and-radical-presidency](https://www.desertcart.gr/products/11400762-traitor-to-his-class-the-privileged-life-and-radical-presidency) --- *Product available on Desertcart Greece* *Store origin: GR* *Last updated: 2026-11-06*