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My Journey Through the Best Presidential Biographies

The Best Biographies of Franklin D. Roosevelt

30 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by Steve in Best Biographies Posts , President #32 - F Roosevelt

≈ 43 Comments

Adam Cohen , American history , Arthur Schlesinger Jr. , biographies , book reviews , Conrad Black , Doris Kearns Goodwin , FDR , Frank Freidel , Geoffrey Ward , H.W. Brands , James MacGregor Burns , Jean Edward Smith , Jeff Shesol , Jonathan Alter , Joseph Lash , Peter Collier , presidential biographies , Presidents , Pulitzer Prize , Robert Sherwood , Ted Morgan

Every student of American history knows that Franklin D. Roosevelt served more terms as President of the United States than any other person ever has – or ever will .

During the FDR presidency, America faced two of the greatest crises in its history: the Great Depression and World War II. His response to those challenges fundamentally altered the relationship between the American people and their government…and left FDR with a reputation as one of the most consequential (if not successful) of U.S. presidents.

It should not be surprising that FDR consumed more of my time than any other president: 19 books, almost 12,000 pages and more than seven months. He proved daring, bold, intriguing, provocative and fascinating – but I’m glad to be moving on to Harry Truman!

I began with five single-volume biographies of FDR:

* “ FDR ” by Jean Edward Smith – This is one of the most frequently read and highly acclaimed biographies of FDR, and for good reason: it is excellent . Authored by one of today’s most capable biographers, “FDR” is thorough, engaging and well-balanced. It proved to be nearly the perfect length, consistently clear and difficult to put down. The only thing I really missed was a concluding chapter focused on FDR’s legacy. ( Full review here )

* “ Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt ” by H.W. Brands – This proved to be my favorite of the four Brands biographies I’ve read so far. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, this book is detailed, well-organized and quite interesting; Brands’s discussion of the war years is particularly successful. Missing from this book is adequate coverage of Eleanor and some of FDR’s family and friends, as well a deeper look at their impact on his political life. ( Full review here )

* “ Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom ” by Conrad Black – This is the longest of the single-volume biographies I’ve read on any president. As a result, coverage of FDR is not merely thorough…it is encyclopedic . I cannot image a more comprehensive (or exhaustive) review of FDR’s life in a single volume. Unfortunately, Black’s writing style lacks fluidity and the narrative often fails to engage the reader. In addition, the author offers too many facts and not nearly enough insight or analysis. ( Full review here )

* “ Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Rendezvous with Destiny ” by Frank Freidel – This seems to be the abridgement of the multi-volume series Freidel never completed. After writing the first four (of a projected six) volumes, Freidel abandoned the series and, instead, wrote this book more than a decade later. Unfortunately, FDR’s pre-presidency is covered far too quickly and the remainder of the book focuses almost exclusively on the “public” FDR while often ignoring the foibles and quirks which made him so enigmatic. Reading more like a history text, this biography lacks an engaging narrative or a consistent exploration for why events unfolded as they did. ( Full review here )

* “ FDR: A Biography ” by Ted Morgan – Written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, I had high expectations for this biography. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. This is a lengthy and detailed review of FDR’s life which fails to engage the reader. It lacks vibrancy, a consistent level of focus on important issues or events and provides inadequate insight and analysis. Its high points (including aspects of FDR’s childhood and its description of the Casablanca Conference) do not offset its shortcomings. ( Full review here )

Next I read three multi-volume series (only the first covers FDR’s entire life):

* James MacGregor Burns: – “ Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox 1882-1940 ” (Vol 1) – “ Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom 1940-1945 ” (Vol 2)

The Burns series is often considered the earliest truly comprehensive biography of FDR, its first volume having been published in 1956. The second volume won a Pulitzer Prize in 1971.

Volume 1 covers FDR’s life up through his second presidential term. It is far more focused on his public life than his friends and family – readers will learn more of Mussolini than Eleanor Roosevelt, for example – and is far more focused on his first eight years in office than his pre -presidency. But even his first two terms are strangely covered and discussion of the “New Deal” initiative, in particular, was a bit chaotic and difficult to follow. ( Full review here )

Volume 2 begins with FDR’s election to a third presidential term; its primary thesis is that FDR was a deeply divided man who was complex and incomprehensible. Despite offering many excellent moments, this volume is disappointing and, in the end, fails to adequately address its thesis or examine FDR’s legacy. ( Full review here )

* Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. – “ The Age of Roosevelt: The Crisis of the Old Order (1919-1933) ” (Vol 1) – “ The Age of Roosevelt: The Coming of the New Deal (1933-1935) ” (Vol 2) – “ The Age of Roosevelt: The Politics of Upheaval (1935-1936) ” (Vol 3)

Written in the late 1950s by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., this series offers an interesting but incomplete examination of FDR’s life up through his early presidency. Originally intended to consist of four volumes, Schlesinger abandoned the series after being appointed Special Assistant to President Kennedy in 1961.

Volume 1 ostensibly covers FDR’s pre-presidency but is far more a political history of the times than a comprehensive introduction to Roosevelt. It is excellent at what it does cover (both of the era and FDR himself) but readers hoping to learn much about FDR’s early life will be disappointed. ( Full review here )

Volume 2 covers the earliest years of FDR’s presidency and focuses on his efforts to combat the Depression. The New Deal is dissected meticulously but the focus is almost always on the legislative process as well as the programs themselves. Roosevelt appears in person only occasionally. As a review of his early presidency this book shines; as an examination of FDR himself it falls short. ( Full review here )

Volume 3 covers the last years of Roosevelt’s first presidential term. Like earlier volumes, this book is detailed and insightful…but also focuses far more on the times than the man; it is essentially a political biography of the last phase of the New Deal. Schlesinger is masterful when writing about the era, but does not promise – or offer – a complete picture of Roosevelt himself. ( Full review here )

* Geoffrey C. Ward – “ Before the Trumpet: Young Franklin Roosevelt (1882-1905) ” (Vol 1) – “ A First-Class Temperament: The Emergence of Franklin Roosevelt (1905-1928) ” (Vol 2)

Geoffrey Ward’s series on FDR is the second “incomplete” series I read on Roosevelt. I am unaware whether Ward ever actually intended to complete his analysis of the Roosevelt’s timeline with a final volume…but what Ward does cover of FDR’s life in these two volumes is extremely well done.

Volume 1 reviews FDR’s life up to his marriage in 1905, including a very detailed look at Roosevelt’s ancestry. Two of the most interesting chapters may well be the last two which focus on Eleanor’s troubled childhood and her early relationship with Franklin. This proves a fine, but not perfect, introduction to FDR. ( Full review here )

Volume 2 covers Roosevelt’s life through his election as Governor of New York in 1928. As a consequence of this chronology, Ward spends more time reflecting on FDR’s personality and relationships than his politics. Very well written, this book is absorbing and revealing. Unfortunately, it ends too soon and leaves the reader to wonder where Ward might have taken the series had he followed Roosevelt into the White House… ( Full review here )

Finally, I read seven FDR- focused books:

* “ No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt ” by Doris K. Goodwin – This classic seems to be the best-read of all FDR-focused books. It is not a traditional biography but, instead, is part history text and part dual-biography. Chronologically it is focused on the last five years of FDR’s presidency, but periodically back-fills (sometimes extensively) to create context. But despite focusing on the “war years” this book is far more concerned with domestic rather than foreign affairs. In the end, “No Ordinary Time” is an excellent standalone read, but is probably even better when read after completing a traditional, comprehensive biography of FDR. ( Full review here )

* “ Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. The Supreme Court ” by Jeff Shesol – Focused on the “Court Packing” episode during FDR’s second term, I was skeptical of this book given the topic. Nevertheless, I found it well written, extremely clear and surprisingly engaging. Shesol takes the time to provide adequate context (for both the FDR presidency and the New Deal itself) before embarking on his primary mission. Lawyers may well enjoy this book but it is successfully aimed at the general reader. ( Full review here )

* “ Nothing to Fear: FDR’s Inner Circle and the 100 Days that Created Modern America ” by Adam Cohen – As its title suggests, Cohen’s book is focused on the earliest days of the FDR presidency. Because it also offers interesting mini-biographies of his five closest advisers, this feels a bit like Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals” but with less depth and character development. It does an adequate (if not exceptional) job reviewing Roosevelt’s first 100 days but, because much remained in the fight against the Depression at the end of this period, the book feels somewhat incomplete when it ends. ( Full review here )

* “ The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope ” by Jonathan Alter – Oddly (given its title) this is not a book focused primarily on FDR’s “Hundred Days.” Indeed, the book’s precise mission is never really clear. After spending well more than half its pages reviewing FDR’s pre-presidency, fewer than fifty pages are actually devoted to FDR’s Hundred Days. While generally well written and often interesting, this book feels like ordering a pizza but receiving half a baked potato, some pepperoni and part of a tasty dessert. ( Full review here )

* “ Eleanor & Franklin ” by Joseph Lash – This Pulitzer Prize-winning book was written by a longtime friend of Eleanor Roosevelt who received special access to her papers after her death. Because of the author’s close relationship with Eleanor it is not surprising this is less a dual-biography of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt than a book designed to highlight Eleanor’s transformation from insecure orphan to champion of humanitarian causes. FDR only appears sporadically (usually as the antagonist) and Lash is reluctant to fully ponder this intriguing couple’s particular challenges. This is essentially a good biography of Eleanor which could have been great . ( Full review here)

* “ Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History ” by Robert Sherwood – This Pulitzer Prize-winning book was authored by one of FDR’s speechwriters at the request of the Hopkins family following his death. While apparently a dual-biography of FDR and Harry Hopkins (who was a friend and adviser to FDR) the lion’s share of the attention accrues to Hopkins. But in most ways this is really a detailed behind-the-scenes historical account of World War II as seen by Hopkins and Sherwood. Much of value is contained in these 934 pages, but the first one-third of the book is by far its best. ( Full review here )

* “ The Roosevelts: An American Saga ” by Peter Collier – This multi-generational (and multi- branch ) biography focuses on the FDR and TR branches of the Roosevelt family tree. The book proves readable, interesting and quite colorful. But it fails to shine much light on the FDR or TR presidencies and often feels imbalanced. Eleanor Roosevelt, in particular, receives particularly harsh coverage. The book also promises dramatic clashes between the two branches as they struggle to control the family legacy…but this thesis is oversold. All-in-all, an interesting but not compelling read. ( Full review here )

[ Added January 2020 ]

* I recently had the opportunity to read Alonzo Hamby’s “ Man of Destiny: FDR and the Making of the American Century ” which was published in 2015 and did not make my original list of biographies of FDR. Hamby’s goal was to write a balanced and efficient biography of Roosevelt. But while the book successfully achieves those two objectives, it proves disappointingly bland and colorless relative to other biographies which cover FDR’s life. Students of foreign policy who are less interested in Roosevelt’s personality and relationships may find it satisfying, but most readers are likely to find it relatively disappointing. ( Full review here )

[ Added January 2021 ]

* Over the past three weeks I read esteemed historian Robert Dallek’s 2017 biography “ Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Political Life .” Dallek professes his fondness for FDR, proclaiming him one of the country’s three greatest presidents. But, remarkably, the 627-page narrative is extremely objective and balanced nevertheless.

However, readers seeking colorful context or special insight into Roosevelt’s closest personal and professional relationships will be disappointed – as well those already familiar with the 32nd president who are hoping to find fresh revelations based on new research. In the end, this is a competent but clinical (and generally dry) synthesis of previously-published biographies of FDR. There is little new to see here and readers seeking an introduction to Roosevelt will want to look elsewhere. ( Full review here )

Best Single-Volume Biography of FDR: Jean Edward Smith’s “ FDR ”

Best Single-Volume Bio (Runner-Up): H.W. Brands’s “ Traitor to His Class ”

Best Non-Traditional Biography of FDR: Doris K. Goodwin’s “ No Ordinary Time “

Several readers have requested I share my thoughts on which supporting characters for each president seem compelling enough to warrant a biographical side-trip. Franklin Roosevelt offers interested readers an enormous circle of compelling friends, colleagues, advisers and nemeses. Among them:

– Louis Howe (close adviser to FDR) – Harry Hopkins (close adviser to FDR) – Frances Perkins (FDR’s Labor Secretary, first female U.S. Cabinet member) – Eleanor Roosevelt – Winston Churchill – Josef Stalin – Adolf Hitler – Douglas MacArthur – Dwight Eisenhower

In none of these cases do I claim to have uncovered the best biography of the individuals I have listed. But Eisenhower will be covered as part of my journey through the best presidential biographies in approximately 5 weeks!

My fingers are crossed that you like the JES and DKG books! I saw the Burns documentary shortly after I finished up Teddy Roosevelt last summer (has it really been that long!?!) I watched it as I did some painting in the house…and as I recall I really liked the documentary and I really did not enjoy the painting.

October 8, 2016 at 2:42 pm

Reblogged this on Practically Historical .

February 23, 2017 at 10:40 pm

One recommendation I would make for the supporting cast section would be Harold Ickes, Roosevelt’s Secretary of the Interior. T.H. Watkins’s biography of Ickes, “Righteous Pilgrim,” is lengthy but fantastic. I became interested in Ickes after his appearances in Caro’s years of Lyndon Johnson series, and the Watkins biography is a fantastic and interesting read.

February 24, 2017 at 5:18 am

Thanks – I’d never considered him since he didn’t feature too prominently in any of the biographies I read (though I do remember him). I’ll have to look into the bio you reference – I don’t mind “lengthy” but I do LOVE “fantastic”!

July 17, 2017 at 7:26 pm

Agreed with Mr. Seig. I have the book he references, just haven’t gotten around to it. I do recommend the three volume “The Secret Diary of Harold Ickes.” It goes from the beginning of FDR’s presidency through the end of 1941. I think you would find it interesting, and FDR is featured quite a bit as Ickes writes at length about his meetings and interactions with the man.

January 12, 2018 at 6:00 am

In regards to the supporting cast, may I recommend “American Dreamer: A Life of Henry A. Wallace”? Wallace was an important supporting player to both FDR and Truman, and “American Dreamer” is one of the best biographies I have ever read.

(Interesting trivia note: one of the book’s authors, John Culver, was a U.S. Senator from Iowa and is the father of former Governor Chet Culver.)

January 12, 2018 at 7:29 am

Thanks for the suggestion. Given how frequently Wallace appeared in the biographies I read (though never as a particularly influential figure) I was surprised to find I didn’t already have some biography of him on my list. That has been rectified!

The biography you recommended looks great and your endorsement is noted! Not sure when I’ll get to it (!) but it’s in the queue!

January 13, 2018 at 12:45 am

I think Wallace tends to get a bit of short shrift in a lot of works because of his postwar marginalization, but he was a pretty big deal in his day. As Secretary of Agriculture, he ranked right up there in influence with Ickes, Perkins, and Hopkins (he ran AAA and all its subsidiaries, as well as a whole host of other alphabet agencies like the FSA and FRC, and controlled many of the CCC projects) and as Vice President he was placed in charge of the Board of Economic Warfare, which essentially made him the potentate of the planned economy for most of WWII. He also came very, very close to keeping his job in ’44 (and Culver and Hyde do an excellent job of retelling the the machinations at the convention that year), which of course would have made him President.

January 13, 2018 at 11:11 am

I always love reading great biographies of interesting subjects, so “American Dreamer” seems like it has the potential to be well worthwhile from what I can tell!

January 13, 2018 at 2:08 pm

The Man He Became seems like a worthy mention. Though I am yet to read it. Thanks for this wonderful project though, some great biographies of some great men.

February 20, 2018 at 1:54 pm

question for anybody that has read it.Some books don’t go into much depth about Roosevelts death.Jean Smith’s talks about Roosevelts death but not much other than that in depth like his funeral,etc.Is FDR’s funeral train By Robert Klara the best one if you want to read more about his death,funeral in Washington,Hyde Park,etc? John

March 21, 2018 at 10:16 pm

Has anybody read the biography on FDR called Man of Destiny By Alonzo Hamby to tell me for a birth to death bio if it is one of the better ones?

April 7, 2018 at 12:32 pm

Please consider Rightful Heritage by Brinkley. It’s informative and enjoyable.

April 11, 2018 at 6:10 am

Thanks – looks like a table of contents I would have expected for TR, not FDR!

April 11, 2018 at 8:22 am

There is a new one I have come across(Most say Jean Smith’s is the best) but is anybody familiar with or read Man of Destiny By Alonzo Hamby to offer an opinion?

April 26, 2018 at 11:07 am

I found this a very helpful round-up of the literature on fdr. As a liberal, I share the perspective of the fdr biogs I have read. Given, however, the vituperation of fdr at the time I would like to read an intelligent devil’s advocate biog/analysis of his career/presidency from the right/republican wing. Does such a text, with an emphasis on intelligent, exist? Thanks for any help, Mike

April 26, 2018 at 11:42 am

I love the question & your approach, but don’t know the answer off the top of my head. However, there are a number of frequent visitors to this site who have read widely and may have insight – I’ll see whether they can be of help and, if not, I’ll see what I can find out-

December 11, 2018 at 7:38 pm

Have a question about The Geoffrey Ward Series which I am thinking about reading.Since it only goes from 1882-1928 what would be a good book that would compliment his series very well as a third book to go with it?Would perhaps Freidel’s Rendezvous With Destiny be the best far as covering 1928-1945 for a final volume?

December 13, 2018 at 8:21 am

I’m struggling a bit to give you a good answer (since there is…no great answer).

I think Freidel’s book is a reasonable choice to address your issue, and if you want to read the Ward series with a supplemental biography I don’t know there’s a better way to go.

But I DO think it’s worth reading his first two volumes – I recall enjoying them immensely and really wishing he had pressed on.

August 22, 2019 at 8:00 pm

for the war years on FDR has anybody read Nigel Hamilton’s to say wether they are as good or better than James Macgregor Burns second book on the war years?Also far as the traditional biographies other than Smith is Conrad Black’s also one of the better full life bio’s?

February 28, 2020 at 5:34 pm

I am on the brink of buying Franklin D. Roosevelt by Robert Dallek! I thought maybe you had something to say about this one, but no:) Thanks for the reviews – was interesting to read what to look for next!!!

February 28, 2020 at 5:59 pm

Yes, unfortunately Dallek’s bio came out the year after I got through FDR but I’m going to try to get to it in the 12 months or so. If you do read it before me I’d love to hear what you think about it!

August 23, 2020 at 9:29 pm

Great list! I wish I could read as quickly as you, alas I will settle for just picking one or two books for each president, with plenty of side journeys. Speaking of side journeys, what about JM Keynes (I recommend The Price of Peace) for a wonderful and worthwhile character of FDR’s life? OK fair enough, FDR probably has too many great characters of history to name LaGuardia, Moses, Rockefellers, Morgan, Teddy R, Elenor come to mind as well.

Love your list/blog! Thank you

August 24, 2020 at 5:09 am

Thanks for the note and, most importantly, the recommendation! Keynes never featured super-prominently in the biographies I read, but he was clearly important to the era and its challenges. Carter’s book on Keynes looks interesting. I’ll have to look a little more deeply to make sure it doesn’t veer too far off track in its back half (I’ve heard it leaves Keynes behind and focuses on economic challenges after his death) but I might have to try to work it into my schedule!

September 13, 2020 at 10:21 am

I have just recently come across your blog. Magnificent piece of work. I look forward to learning a lot from you. Regarding FDR, have you ever had the chance to read Kenneth S. Davis’s 5 volumes? Unfortunately the series stops with the Casablanca conference due to Davis’s death. It can be dense reading at times but the mini essays cover an enormous range of subjects.

September 13, 2020 at 10:29 am

Welcome aboard – glad you found the site and hope you find it helpful! Far above and beyond the reviews themselves, I find that people’s comments are often tremendously. I’ve not read the Davis series yet but it is definitely on my “follow-up” list to read. I’ve not heard a great deal about it, but what I’ve heard is that is indispensable for anyone who really wants to know FDR, and your added color is greatly appreciated! I am always disappointed when a series is abruptly halted, but this one seems to cover enough ground and contain enough intrinsic merit that it’s a “can’t miss.”

October 4, 2020 at 4:47 am

I heartily endorse Ken Davis’ five volume series as well. I’m halfway through “The Beckoning of Destiny, 1882-1928” (1971) and will probably read the succeeding volumes straight through. (They can be tough to locate however. I found all five for $3 or so in used bookstores.)

September 25, 2020 at 4:44 am

If I only had time to read one book of FDR and then move on for sometime to other reading, what might you recommend?

September 25, 2020 at 5:00 am

Probably “FDR” by Jean Edward Smith.

September 26, 2020 at 5:49 am

August 3, 2021 at 7:33 pm

Thanks for sharing your insights. I’m reading Jonathan Dimbleby’s ‘Battle of the Atlantic’, and that has left me wanting to learn more about FDR. So your thoughts and recommendations have been very useful.

December 6, 2021 at 3:44 pm

Thank you for this great resource. In your opinion, which book covers the inner politics of his court and the politics of the day? It would appear maybe Burns, Schlesinger, or Mr. Black?

Thank you for making this easy on readers!

December 6, 2021 at 3:55 pm

That’s a tougher question that you might imagine -since it has been five years since I plowed through FDR! But here’s what I can tell you off the top of my head: (i) for me, the best *overall* treatment of FDR was by Jean Edward Smith, but (ii) the most focused book on the politics of the Supreme Court during his presidency was probably Shesol’s and (iii) the most thorough analysis of the “times” but *not* FDR’s presidency may well have been the Schlesinger series while the most lengthy (by far) was Conrad Black’s.

For better insight into that question, though, you might peruse the tables of contents – I believe Amazon provides the TOC for each. Ironically, I’ll be starting another biography of FDR tomorrow: Robert Dallek’s “Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Political Life.”

December 7, 2021 at 12:19 pm

Yes I saw Dallek’s was on your list! Thank you very much for your response. Happy reading!

August 20, 2023 at 6:10 am

Hi, I am fascinated by Naval History and I came across the biography of William Leahy by Phillips O’Brian. I was impressed by his relationship with FDR and I am going to read a biography of FDR based on your recommendations. I was wondering if you too had the chance to read Leahy biography and if yes I would be interested in your opinion.

Best regards Cesare Pedrali (Italy)

August 20, 2023 at 6:16 am

I’m somewhat familiar with William Leahy, but have not read O’Brian’s biography of him (or anyone else’s, for that matter). Because there is no “page preview” associated with this book on one of the popular book-buying sites, I couldn’t access the table of contents or any of the inside text to see how intrigued I would be. I’ll be interested to see if anyone else has thoughts / comments on this…

August 16, 2024 at 9:30 pm

For anyone that has read, are Joseph lash’s two books Franklin and Eleanor and Eleanor the alone years good? Thanks

Enriching FDR Biographies that Explore the President's Impactful Life and Legacy

Roosevelt led the United States through some of its most trying decades.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

A remarkable leader, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the longest serving U.S. president, elected to serve four terms. In his time in office, he navigated the United States through some of the most difficult occasions in its history.

Succeeding Herbert Hoover, FDR was tasked with pulling the country out of the Great Depression . Contending with the worst economic depression the United States has ever faced, Roosevelt created the New Deal, a package of radical relief and reform policies, aimed righting the economy and lifting up those in need. Bold and idealistic, many of FDR's measures, from insurance programs like Social Security, to regulatory bodies like the SEC, still exist today.

Though monumental in its challenges, the Great Depression gave way to an even more daunting trial, as World War II broke out in Europe and the Pacific. Guiding the United States into war following the bombing of Pearl Harbor , FDR mobilized the country like never before. Calling up millions of troops and throwing the full resources of the home front into the war effort, FDR’s partnership and leadership proved invaluable to the Allied forces.

Passing away just after he began his fourth term, FDR left a lasting impact on the United States and the world, more broadly. Despite disgraces that cannot be overlooked, like Japanese internment policies, Roosevelt remains one of America's most admired presidents and one of history's most fascinating figures. The books below are some of the best FDR biographies that help to illuminate 32nd president; his life, his politics, and his mark on history.

The Definitive FDR

By James MacGregor Burns

A two-volume set containing James Macgregor Burns’s Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox (1882 – 1940) and Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom (1940–1945) , The Definite FDR gives readers a revealing look into the life of FDR and his unwavering leadership through unprecedented and unimaginable trials.

Chronicling his upbringing, early years in politics, and first two terms as president, The Lion and the Fox recounts how FDR moved through his formative years and came to be an adept politician capable of reaching the presidency and addressing the problems that awaited him in office. Comprehensive and engaging, Burns writes “a sensitive, shrewd, and challenging book” ( New York Times ).

Picking up after his first two terms, the Pulitzer prize and National Book Award winning, Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom looks deeply at FDR as he confronted the tumultuous years of WWII and prepared for the uncertainty that would follow in the post-war years. Offering a fascinating portrait of a leader faced with unthinkable decisions, the award winning book shares a profound and riveting account of Franklin Roosevelt.

The Three Roosevelts

By James MacGregor Burns, Susan Dunn

Chronicling the impacts Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt had on one another, The Three Roosevelts provides a unique look into the prominent political family. From their background within the upper echelons of New York society, to their decisions of national and international importance, The Three Roosevelts traces the relatives through decades of shared history in "a detailed study ... written with impeccable scholarship” ( Houston Chronicle).

Related: Theodore Roosevelt's Strenuous Life Extended Far Beyond a Single Speech

The Coming of the New Deal

By Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.

The second volume of Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.’s three-book series, The Age of Roosevelt , The Coming of the New Deal focuses on FDR’s transition into the presidency. Elected amidst the Great Depression, Roosevelt tried untested means to save the country from economic collapse. Tracing his reforms and his hopeful visions, Schlesinger offers a detailed look into the politics and processes FDR leveraged to move the nation toward recovery. Described by The New York Times as “monumental… authoritative… spirited… one of the major works in American historical literature,” The Coming New Deal places the politics before the person in its examination into a critical period of FDR’s life.

Dust off exclusive book deals and tales from the past when you join The Archive 's newsletter.

By Susan Dunn

In 1940, the world was on an edge. The Nazis had begun to invade Europe and divisions within the United States grew more intense. As the hysteria of the war reached new heights, FDR faced off against the Republican candidate Wendell Wilkie in the year's presidential elections. In a vibrant and exciting book, Dunn explains the context of the 1940 elections, maps the trajectories of the competing campaigns, and underscores the significance the race's culmination to provide a unique examination of a critical stretch of American history and a revealing snapshot of President Roosevelt.

Related: 12 Books That Offer Perspectives on the Presidents

By Jean Edward Smith

A national bestseller, praised as the go-to biography for the memorable president, Jean Edward Smith’s FDR goes beyond the surface, to share Roosevelt’s life story in rich detail. Smith brings FDR to life by exploring his relationships with close confidantes, like Eleanor Roosevelt and Missy LeHand; challenges he overcame, like his struggles with disability; and failures that remain controversial, like Japanese internment, his attempt to pack the Supreme Court, and his tenacious use of executive power. Following his entire life through, Smith's FDR creates a full and balanced picture of the remarkable man.

Traitor to His Class

By H.W. Brands

Another national bestseller, Traitor to His Class pulls together archival documents, speeches, letters, and the records of those who knew him well to offer a perceptive and well-researched account of FDR. Brands’ Traitor to His Class offers a wealth of information on FDR’s political life, from his start in politics, to his handling of the Great Depression, to his choices during World War II and relationships with world leaders, like Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin.

best fdr biographies traitor to his class

Franklin and Winston

By Jon Meecham

On opposite sides of the Atlantic, Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill came together with the fate of the free world and the outcome of WWII in the balance. Sharing a unique and world changing friendship, the two remarkable leaders met and corresponded frequently. They mapped the course of the war, shared the weight of their place in history, and built a close-knit alliance. In a narrative that is as human as it moving, Jon Meecham recounts their strikingly similar backgrounds, their family ties, and their dynamic relationship.

best fdr biographies franklin and winston

Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Political Life

By Robert Dallek

Chosen as a best book of the year by NPR and The Washington Post, Robert Dallek's Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Political Life examines the personal and political insights that helped FDR effectively shape the presidency, the nation, and his own enduring legacy. Dallek argues that FDR became a successful politician and president by recognizing the importance of consensus, the benefits of a long-term approach to governance, and the power wielded by the executive.

best fdr biographies franklin d roosevelt

No Ordinary Time

By Doris Kearns Goodwin

In a story that is as touching as it is compelling, Doris Kearns Goodwin's Pulitzer Prize winning No Ordinary Time covers the lives of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt during the second World War. Offering perspective on their individual lives, their marriage, and their respective work during the war, Goodwin tells a richly textured and fully detailed account of happenings within the White House and America's homefront as FDR led the country through WWII.

Related: 20 Influential Women in History You Need to Know About

Supreme Power

By Jeff Shesol

Once again a contentious topic within the news, court packing has a long history, most notably associated with FDR. Describing his battle to pack the Supreme Court with appointees who similarly believed in a "living constitution," Jeff Shesol traces FDR's efforts to expand the court following its dismantling of his New Deal programs in 1935. Diving into a significant and controversial chapter of Roosevelt's presidency, Shesol's Supreme Power: Franklin Roosevelt vs. The Supreme Court was named a Notable Book by the New York Times.

A First Class Temperament: The Emergence of Franklin Roosevelt

By Geoffrey C. Ward

Following up on his account of FDR's youth in Before the Trumpet: Young Franklin Roosevelt , Geoffrey C. Ward's A First Class Temperament describes FDR's ascendance to the presidency. It follows FDR's journey from a sheltered upbringing, through his, at times, harsh political dealings, to his election to highest office in the land. Going beyond his public profile, A First Class Temperament also shares FDR's personal struggles, from coping with polio to his strained relationships with his wife and children, to fully chronicle the years that helped to establish one of the United States' most memorable leaders.

best fdr biographies a first class temperament

War and Peace: FDR's Final Odyssey D-Day to Yalta, 1943-1945

By Nigel Hamilton

The final volume of his three-book series FDR at War , Nigel Hamilton's War and Peace zooms in on the final years of FDR's life. Having led America into WWII, FDR became involved in the conflicts most elaborate and crucial strategies. He not only supported the U.S. led D-Day invasions , but was able to look past the ongoing bloodshed and plans for a historic counter attack, toward a time of eventual peace. Tracing his role in directing the course of war and laying the groundwork for post-war stability, primarily through the United Nations, War and Peace describes FDR's impact in two vital years that changed the course of history.

Related: 13 Epic Battles That Changed the World

Featured photo of Franklin Roosevelt campaigning in October of 1944: Wikimedia Commons

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The Midwest
Reading Lists

The 10 Best Books on President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Essential books on franklin roosevelt.

There are countless books on Franklin Roosevelt, and it comes with good reason, after all, he is widely celebrated for leading the United States out of the great depression, playing an instrumental role in bringing about the destruction of World War II’s Axis powers, and in the process, securing a global peace the likes of which mankind maybe hasn’t experienced since the dawn of civilization.

He was elected President in November 1932, to the first of four terms. The following March there were 13,000,000 unemployed, and almost every bank was closed. In his first “hundred days,” he proposed, and Congress enacted, a sweeping program to bring recovery to business and agriculture, relief to the unemployed and to those in danger of losing farms and homes, and reform, especially through the establishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority. By 1935 the Nation had achieved some measure of economic recovery .

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Roosevelt directed the organization of America’s manpower and resources for a global war to be fought on opposing ends of the Earth’s surface. Feeling that the future peace of the world would depend upon relations between the United States and Russia, he devoted much thought to the planning of a United Nations, in which, he hoped, international difficulties could be settled.

“We all know that books burn, yet we have the greater knowledge that books cannot be killed by fire. People die, but books never die,” he once said . “No man and no force can put thought in a concentration camp forever. No man and no force can take from the world the books that embody man’s eternal fight against tyranny of every kind.”

Reading clearly played a profound role in molding Franklin Roosevelt as a person, and furthermore, this favorite educational activity of his must have had something to do with the spirited – and liberating for that matter – approach he took to life.

Therefore, in order to get to the bottom of what inspired one of history’s greatest men to the heights of societal contribution, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best books on Franklin Roosevelt.

The Definitive FDR by James Macgregor Burns

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the longest serving president in US history, reshaping the country during the crises of the Great Depression and World War II. James MacGregor Burns’s magisterial two-volume biography tells the complete life story of the fascinating political figure who instituted the New Deal.

Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox (1882 – 1940) : Before his ascension to the presidency, FDR laid the groundwork for his unprecedented run with decades of canny political maneuvering and steady consolidation of power. Hailed by the New York Times as “a sensitive, shrewd, and challenging book” and by Newsweek as “a case study unmatched in American political writings,” The Lion and the Fox details Roosevelt’s youth and education, his rise to national prominence, all the way through his first two terms as president.

Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom (1940 – 1945) : The Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning history of FDR’s final years examines the president’s skillful wartime leadership as well as his vision for postwar peace. Acclaimed 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.

FDR by Jean Edward Smith

One of today’s premier biographers has written a modern, comprehensive, indeed ultimate book on the epic life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In this superlative volume, Jean Edward Smith combines contemporary scholarship and a broad range of primary source material to provide an engrossing narrative of one of America’s greatest presidents.

Smith recounts FDR’s battles with polio and physical disability, and how these experiences helped forge the resolve that FDR used to surmount the economic turmoil of the Great Depression and the wartime threat of totalitarianism.

This bestseller among books on Franklin Roosevelt gives us the clearest picture yet of how a quintessential Knickerbocker aristocrat, a man who never had to depend on a paycheck, became the common man’s president. The result is a powerful account that adds fresh perspectives and draws profound conclusions about a man whose story is widely known but far less well understood.

Traitor to His Class by H. W. Brands

Historian and biographer H.W. Brands explores the powerful influence of FDR’s dominating mother and the often tense and always unusual partnership between FDR and his wife, Eleanor, and her indispensable contributions to his presidency. Most of all, the book traces in breathtaking detail FDR’s revolutionary efforts with his New Deal legislation to transform the American political economy in order to save it, his forceful – and cagey – leadership before and during World War II, and his lasting legacy in creating the foundations of the postwar international order.

Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham

The most complete portrait ever drawn of the complex emotional connection between two of history’s towering leaders. Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill were the greatest leaders of “the Greatest Generation.” In Franklin and Winston , Jon Meacham explores the fascinating relationship between the two men who piloted the free world to victory in World War II.

It was a crucial friendship, and a unique one – a president and a prime minister spending enormous amounts of time together (113 days during the war) and exchanging nearly two thousand messages. Amid cocktails, cigarettes, and cigars, they met, often secretly, in places as far-flung as Washington, Hyde Park, Casablanca, and Teheran, talking to each other of war, politics, the burden of command, their health, their wives, and their children.

The Coming of the New Deal by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

The Coming of the New Deal , 1933-1935, volume two of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and biographer Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.’s Age of Roosevelt series, describes Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first tumultuous years in the White House. Coming into office at the bottom of the Great Depression, FDR told the American people that they have nothing to fear but fear itself. The conventional wisdom having failed, he tried unorthodox remedies to avert economic collapse.

His first hundred days restored national morale, and his New Dealers filled Washington with new approaches to recovery and reform. Combining idealistic ends with realistic means, Roosevelt proposed to humanize, redeem, and rescue capitalism. The Coming of the New Deal, written with Schlesinger’s customary verve, is a gripping account of critical years in the history of the republic.

Before the Trumpet: Young Franklin Roosevelt by Geoffrey C. Ward

Before Pearl Harbor, before polio and his entry into politics, FDR was a handsome, pampered, but strong-willed youth, the center of a rarefied world. In Before the Trumpet , the award-winning historian Geoffrey C. Ward transports the reader to that world – Hyde Park on the Hudson and Campobello Island, Groton and Harvard and the Continent – to recreate as never before the formative years of the man who would become the 20th century’s greatest president.

Here, drawn from thousands of original documents (many never previously published), is a richly-detailed, intimate biography, its central figure surrounded by a colorful cast that includes an opium smuggler and a pious headmaster; Franklin’s distant cousin, Theodore and his remarkable mother, Sara; and the still-more remarkable young woman he wooed and won, his cousin Eleanor. This is a tale that would grip the reader even if its central character had not grown up to be FDR.

1940 by Susan Dunn

In 1940, against the explosive backdrop of the Nazi onslaught in Europe, two farsighted candidates for the U.S. presidency – Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt, running for an unprecedented third term, and talented Republican businessman Wendell Willkie – found themselves on the defensive against American isolationists and their charismatic spokesman Charles Lindbergh, who called for surrender to Hitler’s demands.

In this dramatic account of that turbulent and consequential election, historian Susan Dunn brings to life the debates, the high-powered players, and the dawning awareness of the Nazi threat as the presidential candidates engaged in their own battle for supremacy. 1940 not only explores the contest between FDR and Willkie but also examines the key preparations for war that went forward, even in the midst of that divisive election season.

No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for History, No Ordinary Time is a monumental work, a brilliantly conceived chronicle of one of the most vibrant and revolutionary periods in the history of the United States.

With an extraordinary collection of details, Goodwin masterfully weaves together a striking number of storylines – Eleanor and Franklin’s marriage and remarkable partnership, Eleanor’s life as First Lady, and FDR’s White House and its impact on America as well as on a world at war. Goodwin effectively melds these details and stories into an unforgettable and intimate portrait of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt and of the time during which a new, modern America was born.

FDR’s Folly by Jim Powell

The Great Depression and the New Deal. For generations, the collective American consciousness has believed that the former ruined the country and the latter saved it. Endless praise has been heaped upon President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for masterfully reining in the Depression’s destructive effects and propping up the country on his New Deal platform.

In fact, FDR has achieved mythical status in American history and is considered to be, along with Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, one of the greatest presidents of all time. But would the Great Depression have been so catastrophic had the New Deal never been implemented?

Offering a healthy dose of skepticism among books on Franklin Roosevelt, historian Jim Powell argues that it was in fact the New Deal itself, with its shortsighted programs, that deepened the Great Depression, swelled the federal government, and prevented the country from turning around quickly.

Looking Forward by Franklin Roosevelt

Published in March 1933 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was first inaugurated, the classic New York Times bestseller Looking Forward delivers F . D.R.’s honest appraisal of the events that contributed to the Great Depression and mirror our own situation today. With blunt, unflinching, and clear prose Roosevelt attacks head-on the failure of the banking system and the U.S. government and sets forth his reasoning and hope for the major reforms of his New Deal.

If you enjoyed this guide to the 10 best books on Franklin Roosevelt, be sure to check out our list of 10 Books Albert Einstein Recommends Reading !

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