Synopses & Reviews
When the wartime 1944 presidential election campaign geared up late that spring, Franklin D. Roosevelt had already occupied the White House years longer than any other president. Sensing likely weakness, the Republicans mounted an energetic and expensive campaign, hitting hard at FDRs liberal domestic policies and the wars ongoing cost. Despite gravely deteriorating health, FDR and his feisty running mate, the unexpected Harry Truman, campaigned vigorously against young governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York and old-line Ohio governor John Bricker. Roosevelts charm and wit, as well as the military successes in Europe and the Pacific, contributed to his sweeping electoral victory. But the hard-fought campaign would soon take its toll on Americas only four-term president.
Preeminent historian and biographer Stanley Weintraub recaptures FDRs striking last campaign” and the years momentous events, from the rainy city streets where Roosevelt, his legs paralyzed by polio since 1922, rode in an open car, to the battlefronts where the commander-in-chiefs forces were closing in on Hitler and Hirohito. The tale is unforgettable.
Review
Publishers Weekly, 3/26/12
“Weintraub paints a vivid portrait of the public mood and of FDR literally willing himself to victory with a relatively unknown running mate, Harry Truman…Historically satisfying, bringing the events to life with telling anecdotes, Weintraub’s book portrays a political icon determined to make his mark on America and the world in the twilight of his life.”
Review
Publishers Weekly, 3/26/12
Weintraub paints a vivid portrait of the public mood and of FDR literally willing himself to victory with a relatively unknown running mate, Harry Truman
Historically satisfying, bringing the events to life with telling anecdotes, Weintraubs book portrays a political icon determined to make his mark on America and the world in the twilight of his life.”
Kirkus Reviews, 5/15/12
In this well-researched, engaging history, Weintraub effectively brings the players to life, portraying the public and private faces of the witty, indomitable FDR and his opponent, the stiff, humorless New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey
Weintraub shows how Roosevelt, despite his illness, was still a force to be reckoned with
A well-drawn political history of FDRs last days.”
Unshelved Book Club, 5/4/12
[A] satisfyingly gossipy history of Franklin D. Roosevelts campaign for an unprecedented fourth term.”
WWII History, July 2012
[An] engrossing work dealing with the only American president to serve more than two terms.”
Milwaukee Shepherd-Express, 7/3/12
[A] well-researched and entertaining voyage through that long-ago, unprecedented campaign.”
Milwaukee Sunday Journal Sentinel, 7/9/12
Briskly written
Weintraub does a great job turning what could be a predictable subject (we know how it turns out, after all) into a page-turner. And he shows some interesting same-as-it-ever-was parallels to today.”
Hudson Valley News, 7/18/12
Weintraub has brought it all back
This book reads like a novel. Whether or not you remember those days, they will come to life for you while reading this book.”
InfoDad.com, 7/26/12
[Weintraub] is certainly aware of ways in which the 1944 election has resonance with later ones
Weintraub does a good job of using primary sources and of humanizing grand events of the day.”
Bookviews.com, August 2012
”A fascinating visit to the past."
Reference and Research Book News, August 2012
[Weintraub] employs an anecdotal/narrative sort of approach to the topic, offering a snapshot of the political mood and contexts of the country at a time of war as much as he considers the specifics of Roosevelt's decisions and activities as he campaigned with the relatively unknown Harry Truman.”
Library Journal, 8/10/12
Enjoyable and readable. Weintraub knows the literature and how to hold a readers attention. Political junkies will especially enjoy it during this electoral season.”
Roanoke Times, 8/12/12
An in-depth account of the election of 1944
Some readers might see an eerie similarity between the 1944 campaign and the 2012 campaign.”
Lowell Sun, 8/5/12
[A] great summer read for both lovers of politics as well as history buffs.”
Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/19/12
Offers a detailed look at the 1944 race and contains details that even the most inveterate reader of FDR books will find fresh
A penetrating look at a seminal campaign and an intriguing view of American history, Final Victory examines, with scholarship and sense, a unique moment in politics and a fascinating look at some of the major political and military figures of the Second World War. Weintraub
again demonstrates his skill at examining the republic in moments of crisis.”
Asbury Park Press, 8/19/12
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The Military Advisor, Winter 2014
This is a marvelous treatise by a noted World War II author on the last of four of Franklin D. Roosevelts Presidential racesrun in the middle of the war, no less!...This is an outstanding tale of a democracy successfully preparing to possibly change leaders in the midst of its greatest war, as well as a tale that all FDR fans and foes will want to read and cherish.”
Review
H-Net Reviews Weintraub weaves a careful, smooth approach to political history
His style is prescient and richly historical
A fluid and provocative historical study
A short, light read
Lively and informative.”
Synopsis
A compelling narrative about FDR, preoccupied with winning the war and his deteriorating health, and the hard-fought presidential election for an unprecedented fourth term
About the Author
Stanley Weintraub is a preeminent historian and an award-winning author of more than fifty highly acclaimed books of history and biography, including Pearl Harbor Christmas, Silent Night, 11 Days in December, Victoria, and Disraeli. He lives in Newark, Delaware.