THE GOOD FIGHT

by Jean Gould ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

For keepers of the F.D.R. flame, author Gould narrates the long siege with infantile paralysis from the buoyant days at Campobello before the onset to the last, sad days of his death at Warm Springs. The author implies that Roosevelt's political battles were secondary to his physical struggle- that the political decisions waited on the personal victories. And the book's most moving episodes record the constant trials which attended getting in and out of chairs, offices, cars, boats, supporting himself during his speeches, or strengthening what leg muscles were left to him. Whether through pride or political acumen F.D.R. was determined that his handicap go unnoticed... There are, as well, glimpses of his childhood and early manhood- as a tireless young sportsman with many hobbies; as a young father with his sons; as a young politican working his way up through the New York governorship to the presidency, and his vast projects and accomplishments are discussed as they occurred. He tackled the ills of the depression-ridden country with the same singlemindedness as well as personal magnetism that characterized his battle with poliomyelitis. Miss Gould's book is more of a human document than political history but her portrait of F.D.R. is one that rarely reached the public eye and the occasional banality of her rose-colored view doesn't blur the insights inherent in the story of the great man's private battle.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dodd, Mead

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1960

Categories: NONFICTION