Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Roy Jenkins Roy

Franklin Delano Roosevelt by Roy Jenkins

Roy Jenkins, the author of Franklin Delano Roosevelt has had an illustrious career as a politician, academic, and writer which has spanned more than sixty years. He was British, born in Wales, served as a liberal member of parliament, performed service during World War II with distinction, was the Chancellor of Oxford University, and the President of the Royal Society of Literature. His works include a famous biography of Winston Churchill, as well as on Truman, Gladstone, Baldwin, and many others. Shortly before his death in 2003, Jenkins undertook to write a biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt for the publishing company Times Books' "American Presidents Series." With his usual excellence, he went to work on this brief book; however, he died before it's completion; and the book had to be finished by another historian Richard Neustadt. Like Jenkins, Neustadt was involved in politics as well being an academic. Despite this, Franklin Delano Roosevelt is an easily read portrait of Roosevelt which gives a unique perspective.

As a British subject, Jenkins was well versed in the system of different social classes, which was strictly enforced by certain American families as well; one of which was Roosevelt's. Jenkins understanding of the class restrictions and obligations placed on a person of Roosevelt's status was apparent in the first part of the book which dealt with Roosevelt's early life and marriage. Eleanor Roosevelt was described by the author as coming from "almost exactly the same social milieu as her husband." (Jenkins 22) This was an important fact as it helped explain their later relationship and how she performed he role as his wife. Because of her social class, she was raised to act with a certain amount of unspoken dignity, aiding her in her later life.

While Jenkins was obviously a liberal himself, and a promoter of Roosevelt and his policies, he did not limit himself to only discussing the best aspects of the man. Roosevelt's private financial schemes, his sometimes sleazy political deals, and the necessary actions to win the presidential election were not glossed over by the author. These "touchy" subjects were discussed frankly; the way would someone who had been a politician would discuss such a thing in private conversation among other political cronies. While this can be somewhat shocking to readers, it provided an interesting insight into the plain spoken insider politics which most voters never see.

The author also was not shy about discussing Roosevelt's personal quirks, his sometimes cold and calculating way, or his ability to insult others, either unintentionally or not. Jenkins pointed out one such incident between "President-elect" Roosevelt and "Lame Duck" President Herbert Hoover. Roosevelt appeared to agree with Hoover on an international debt settlement agreement, but was simply playing with Hoover and had no intention of working with him. Hoover was to have said privately that "he never wanted to speak to him again." (Jenkins 66) Roosevelt could be a ruthless politician when he needed to be and often left a number of bruised and battered political tools in his wake; supporters, allies, cronies, and others which he had used and discarded when no longer useful. Jenkins did little to hide this political reality from the reader, instead he seemed to accept this callousness as part of the political process. No doubt, Jenkins himself, during his long years in the British government, was also forced to use people as political tools and then discard them. This may be an explanation of why he did not sugar-coat Roosevelt's actions and accepted it as a legitimate process of politics.

Some historians have tried to paint Roosevelt's sometimes unconstitutional actions as president in a bright image of righteousness, for instance when the Supreme Court rejected many of Roosevelt's legislation, in response he tried to pack the Supreme by adding more liberal members. This action, which many considered to be another unconstitutional action, was defeated. Jenkins faced Roosevelt's defeats the same way in which he discussed everything else about Roosevelt, with detached objectiveness. While he understood Roosevelt's motivations behind his programs, Jenkins also correctly described Roosevelt's tactics as "execrable" (detestable). (Jenkins 95)