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Summary: a simple change of prepositions explains it all
Review: ...achieving security was the leitmotif of virtually everything that the New Deal attempted. Unarguably, Roosevelt sought to enlarge the national state as the principal instrument of the security and stability that he hoped to impart to American life. ...ever after, Americans assumed that the federal government had not merely a role, but a major responsibility in ensuring the health of the economy and the welfare of citizens. That simple but momentous shift in perceptions was the newest thing in all the New Deal, and the most consequential. Is it possible that the History of the 20th Century can be explained by simple reference to a change in prepositions? That is the gist of the epiphany that struck me while watching David M. Kennedy on Booknotes (C-SPAN). He and Brian Lamb were discussing the fact that this book is part of the Oxford History of the United States joining James McPherson's excellent one-volume history of the Civil War, Battle Cry of Freedom : The Civil War Era (1988). Suddenly, the switch from "of Freedom" to "Freedom from", in the respective titles, struck me as emblematic of the pivotal change of emphases in the Modern world. The history of America from Plymouth Rock until the Crash was essentially the story of Man's struggle for Freedom, but Freedom in a positive sense, Freedom to do things--to worship, to speak, to gather, etc. Thus, McPherson's book details the great convulsion of the 19th Century, the Civil War and the struggle to free the slaves--a struggle to expand freedom. But Kennedy, charting the great 20th Century convulsion, has it exactly right, the importance of the responses to the Depression by both Hoover and Roosevelt lay in their decision to elevate a negative idea of Freedom, freedom from want, from hunger, from "the vicissitudes of life" above, and against, the traditional American ideal of individual Freedom. This shift from a government aimed at protecting Freedom to one designed to provide Security is the single most important thing that happened in 20th Century America. You may be surprised to see Hoover's name there, but one of Kennedy's great contributions in this book is this formal recognition by a liberal historian (joining the great conservative Paul Johnson, see Modern Times: The World from the Twenties to the Nineties) that Hoover, far from being a do-nothing antediluvian, was basically a liberal interventionist, who started us down the path that lead to the New Deal. (Of course, the great difference here is that Kennedy concludes that this makes Hoover a more laudable figure, while Johnson lambastes him.) In fact, Kennedy's reappraisal of Hoover's activism, coupled with the quotes above, unintentionally leaves the, I believe accurate, impression that the only achievement of the New Deal--the change in focus from government as a guarantor of individual freedom to a provider of succor in time of want--was not even unique to the New Deal, but was instead a general response to the intractable Depression. I say "only achievement", because the book makes it pretty clear that the New Deal was completely ineffective, if not counterproductive, in combating the Great Depression. I was actually hesitant to read the book when Brian Lamb pointed out that Kennedy was one of the 400 historians who signed the inane petition opposing Clinton's impeachment. You sort of have to assume that a signatory of that ahistorical reading of history would be too doctrinaire a liberal to write fairly. In fact, Kennedy made clear in the interview and demonstrates amply in the book, that, while he is a fan of Roosevelt and approaches the work from this bias, he is perfectly willing to pass impartial judgment on FDR's shortcomings and failures. This is one of the real strengths of the book. Where Doris Kearns Goodwin basically wrote a hagiography in No Ordinary Time (see Orrin's review), Kennedy, while still obviously an adherent and in basic agreement with FDR's efforts, is willing to portray the New Deal as poorly planned out, even chaotic, willing to conclude that only the coming of War ended the Depression, willing to take Roosevelt to task for his extremist campaign speeches in 1940, willing to condemn his Court Packing plan and, later on, willing to impartially portray his dishonesty in trying to get us into the War and the irresponsibility of both his decision to run for a 4th term in light of his poor health and his lack of any consideration in choosing and preparing a successor. I have only two real complaints about the book. First, while Kennedy demonstrates great intellectual honesty in assessing FDR's failures, one result of his essential agreement with the concept of the New Deal is that he never really confronts the question of whether it was a mistake in and of itself. Was it worthwhile to surrender our national birthright of Freedom in exchange for a mildly elevated sense of Security? This fundamental question is not addressed. I even thought that Kennedy presented himself with the perfect opportunity to do so. He states that three premises underlay the entire New Deal effort to effect a new economic constitutional order: (1.) "the era of economic growth had ended"; (2.) "the private sector, left to its own devices, would never again be capable of generating sufficient investment and employment to sustain even a 1920's level economy"; (3.) the United States was an economically self-sufficient nation. (This is precisely what I mean when I refer to the West's "crisis of confidence", the failure of belief in capitalism and democracy.) It would seem that since all three of these bulwarks of New Deal reasoning lie in tatters beneath the Reagan Revolution, that some discussion about them would be necessary, but it's not here. Second, like Goodwin, and virtually every other writer for that matter, Kennedy treats FDR's battle with polio as if it had only beneficial effects. He became more empathetic, more caring, etc.. I know it would be unpopular, but it's high time that someone addressed the issue of whether FDR's physical handicaps rendered him emotionally unsuited to lead a vital and freedom loving nation. It strikes me that it is only political correctness that prevents us from discussing whether his world view was so changed by his crippling disease that he was incapable, at an admittedly trying time in our nation's history, to view the needs of the average American with the proper perspective. Or whether he was so emotionally twisted by his physical needs, that he simply assumed that everyone needed the same extraordinary level of assistance. I would argue that the Social Welfare state that he bequeathed us, by treating people like they were helpless, gave us several generations of people who grew increasingly dependent on government and gradually abandoned notions of self-help and personal responsibility. These quibbles aside, I heartily recommend the book. This huge (936 page), but eminently readable, history of America from the election of Hoover to the end of WWII should be required reading for all Americans. GRADE: A
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Summary: Perfect book for the history buff
Review: Freedom from Fear is an excellent book about the two most important times in American history: the Depression and World War II. Author Dave Kennedy researched his subject well and wrote in great detail the effect the Depression and WWII had on the American people. One person who Dave Kennedy writes about in great depth is Franklin Roosevelt. The president sought a ambitious program during the Depression to help Americans, he called it the New Deal. The New Deal created many of the social programs American take fo granted today. The author tells the story of the New Deal achievements and shortcomings. His other subject is the effects of World War II on Americans and the role America plays in the eventual defeat of the Axis powers. Dave Kennedy had a talent in storytelling. Even though the book is very long, I read with great interest and learned very much about how the Depression and the WWII changed life. I would highly recommend this book.
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Summary: The New Deal and FDR
Review: The book entitled "Freedom From Fear" was written with a deep insight into the elements of gradual change that eventually had a negative as well as a positive impact on the economic stability of the United States.The book places special emphasis on the Great Depression of 1929 under the Hoover administration.The book also focuses on FDR's struggle to develop federal programs under the New Deal in order to accomplish economic recovery during the depression years. FDR's first 100 days in office was spent developing plans for New Deal programs that would enable the masses to have three square meals a day, ample clothing ,and sufficient shelter.Freedom From Fear explores the obstacles that temporarily blocked the success of the New Deal federal agencies,especially in the agrarian South.The criteria and data was well researched in this book.For example,Franklin Roosevelt was exposed as having a hidden political agenda during his first term in office.It seems that FDR purposely ignored the economic and social reform demands of negroes because he was virtually afraid of offending his constituency in the South and their representatives in Congress. Many of these unresolved issues gave rise to the creation of a second New Deal during the Truman administration. The author of this book,David Kennedy,recognized Eleanor Roosevelt,FDR's wife as being a powerful,innovative force in FDR's private and public life. FDR was elected to the presidential office four times ,and Freedom from Fear brilliantly reports causes and effects of economic and social reform during the 1930s and 40s. This book is a historic masterpiece.It clearly traces a chronological path that strecthes from the late 1920s to the 40s that was filled with political,social,and economic chaos.The Freedom From Fear book is a pleasure to read, and it enables its readers to discover why the New Deal was an "economic necessity" after the Great Depression.
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Summary: A Magisterial & Authoratative Look At The Crisis Years!
Review: With this wonderful book, David Kennedy has produced a definitive treatment of the crisis of the century, a book of epic proportions; one detailing, describing and explaining the many ways in which the insoluble social, economic, and political maelstrom that enveloped this country is related to the history of what came thereafter. As in other recent tomes such as Doris Kearns Goodwin's "No Ordinary Times" and Tom Brokow's The Greatest Generation", the present volume is quite explicit in meaningfully linking how the harrowing kinds of experiences, trials, and tribulations of the American people helped to forge the kind of character, determination, and resolve that was later so instrumental in meeting the challenges associated with the Second World War. Yet unlike Brokow's effort and that of other historians like Stephen Ambrose, Kennedy avoids wide use of primary interviewing, and the difference this leads to in the tone and perspective of the book is telling. Like Goodwin's effort, this is a superb book, wonderfully written, eminently accessible (an important quality given its length of nearly 900 pages), with a sometimes soaring prose style that is so distinctive and so refreshing that reading it is a joy. This is history come to life, full of the color and hues of the original events, presented in a manner that is at once both academically sophisticated and yet available and readable by the general audience. Kennedy makes the reader feel as though he is present in the moment, experiencing the events as they transpire rather than eavesdropping some seventy or so years after the fact. Hearing about the ways in which feckless Herbert Hoover, for example, was in many ways the helpless victim of circumstances is quite interesting. So is his take on so many other personalities and issues of the time, from the particulars of the New Deal and how they were conceived all the way to the insidious domestic treatment and 'internment' of Japanese Americans after the outbreak of WWII. Of course, Kennedy's book is rife with interesting and often provocative interpretations of the events, and this willingness to weigh in intelligently and convincingly adds to the overall entertainment and intellectual value of the book. While I didn't necessarily agree with all of these interpretations or his conclusions, it is always a pleasure to be in the presence of such an active, nimble and creative intellect. This is a book that anyone with an interest in the literally endless ways we were formed in the crucible of events of the past as well as by the people who came before us will want to experience this absolutely top-shelf new work by David Kennedy. Enjoy!
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Summary: Huge book, hugely readable
Review: Worth reading for WWII alone. For the first time, I apprehend the broad geo-political issues and interests that shaped the conduct of the war in all theatres.
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Summary: Outstanding book! Beautifully written.
Review: I doubt my humble opinion could ever count for much compared to the Pulitzer this excellent book was just awarded. But it is worth all of the accolades it can get. It's simply one of the most outstanding books about this period of American history yet written. The author does a tremendous job keeping the reader thoroughly engaged throughout the entire 858 pages! This book is superb.
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Summary: ivory tower musings
Review: Mr. Kennedy has fallen prey to the usual curse of academia: judging history by our standards and failing to see the context of the times. His self-righteousness shows as he condemns the U.S. for slowness in reacting to Hitler, while saying we were far too aggressive with those meek Japanese. I'm glad FDR and Harry Truman were making those decisions (even without benefit of hindsight) than Prof. Kennedy.
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Summary: Sometimes more is better
Review: From the point of view of busy sort of fellow, a 900 page tome is daunting, but this one is a joy to read. Don't be afraid... It's worth it!
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Summary: Excellent Historical Analysis
Review: This book is an excellent historical analysis of Depression and WWII era America. The book is well-researched and well-written, and pays attention to political realities. The author also explores the social impacts of the changes the Depression and WWII brought to the lives of women and minorities. I would recommend this to anyone who would like a broad introduction to the history of the 30s and 40s.
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Summary: Thoroughy researched, well-written, balanced, insightful
Review: As a former student of Professor Kennedy's at Stanford, I confess bias. Nevertheless, David illuminates America's past like no other historian, contemporary or past. He has a unique talent for captivating readers, setting the stage and making the reader feel they are at ringside. We often forget the ordeal and emotion of the Great Depression and World War II, the Fireside Chats, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Roosevelt and Hiroshima. Kennedy has painstakingly researched this book, inserting commentaries from those who made history plus his own penetrating insights. You will find balance and fairness here, not partisan rhetoric or pedantry. Hoover was in many respects ahead of his time (although some accuse Kennedy wrongfully of a Stanford bias), McArthur knew how to stroke the PR machinery, Roosevelt was a shrewd politician, Churchill was a master manipulator, Stalin a man whose patience ran thin waiting for a promised Second Front. Other great portraits include John L. Lewis, Huey Long, Father Coughlin, General Patton ... what a great read! Buy this book!
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