FDR, the New York Years, 1928-1933

Book excerpt: In the second volume of his biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Davis focuses on Roosevelt's career as New York governor and on his bid for the White House. He presents a sympathetic yet critical portrait of FDR, exploring his relationships with Eleanor, Louis Howe and others of the "inner circle"; the psychological power struggles between FDR and Al Smith; and FDR's dealings, as Governor, with New York Bankers and corrupt city officials. He also covers the story of Howard Scott and the rise and fall of technocracy, the coming on of the Great Depression, the formation of the Brain Trust, and the crucial events of the Democratic convention in 1932. ISBN 0-394-51671-0: $19.95.