FDR--ARCHITECT OF AN ERA

Rex Tugwell, Brain Truster, professor, governor of Puerto Rico, and one-time president of the University of Puerto Rico, has always been closely identified with FDR and has, with some frequency, taken up his author's pen to tell us things about this man he obviously admires. In none of his works has he substantially deepened our understanding of Roosevelt, although his books always bear reading. Here again we have the same dilemma: Tugwell should be able to reveal more about the Roosevelt that he knew than he manages to do in this book. What we do get is an orderly treatment of the President's life from cradle to grave. Although we are nowhere told, this work cannot be meant for a sophisticated audience, but rather for the junior and senior high school years. It is simplistic, bare boned, and uncritical. It does nothing that James MacGregor Burns didn't do in his Roosevelt, and does it with far less charm and insight. But withal, Tugwell does render a useful service in once again taking us down the squares of an interesting life and time.