Reviews
This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject., Praise forFDR's Shadow: "This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal."-Jay Freeman, Booklist "Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents." -- Library Journal "This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of theLondon Daily,Sunday Telegraph,andSpectator, and author ofFranklin Delano RooseveltandRichard M. Nixon."Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods.FDR's Shadowis a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings." --Douglas Brinkley, author ofThe Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. "Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century. Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace."--Sean Wilentz, Princeton University, and author ofThe Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln, Praise for FDR's Shadow : "A well-written, thoroughly researched account of the complex relationship between the Roosevelts and Howe."-- The Oklahoman "This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal." Jay Freeman , Booklist "Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents." -- Library Journal "This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of the London Daily, Sunday Telegraph, and Spectator , and author of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon. "Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods. FDR's Shadow is a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings." --Douglas Brinkley, author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America . "Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century. Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace."--Sean Wilentz, Princeton University, and author of The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln " FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt provides insights and analyses that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the political landscape of that seminal period of American history." --Claude R. Marx, Boston Globe "Indeed every member of both houses of the Congress has at least one "dragon-at-the-gate" who rations access to the boss, who edits the speeches, and keeps a check on promises that cannot be kept. But the Howe-Roosevelt symbiotic relationship is a darker story and Ms. Fenster brings a new depth to it." -- Washington Times, Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods. FDR's Shadow is a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings., Praise for The Case of Abraham Lincoln: "Fenster's rhythms have Twain-like timing. . . . A page-turner."--Library Journal [starred review, editor's pick] "[A]beautifully nuanced portrait of Lincoln in the turning-point year of 1856." --Chicago Tribune "The microview Fenster offers of both Lincoln's life and the daily experience in mid-19th century Springfield is fascinating...Fenster does an excellent job of allowing us to watch [Lincoln] grow, almost as if by time-lapse photography...a gem indeed." --Christian Science Monitor " An unexpected, odd-angle approach to Lincoln that proves marvelously insightful." --Kirkus [starred review], Praise forFDR's Shadow: "This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of theLondon Daily,Sunday Telegraph,andSpectator, and author ofFranklin Delano RooseveltandRichard M. Nixon."Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods.FDR's Shadowis a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings." --Douglas Brinkley is author most recently ofThe Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. Praise forThe Case of Abraham Lincoln: "Fenster's rhythms have Twain-like timing. . . . A page-turner."--Library Journal[starred review, editor's pick] "[A]beautifully nuanced portrait of Lincoln in the turning-point year of 1856." --Chicago Tribune "The microview Fenster offers of both Lincoln's life and the daily experience in mid-19th century Springfield is fascinating...Fenster does an excellent job of allowing us to watch [Lincoln] grow, almost as if by time-lapse photography...a gem indeed." --Christian Science Monitor " An unexpected, odd-angle approach to Lincoln that proves marvelously insightful." --Kirkus[starred review], "A well-written, thoroughly researched account of the complex relationship between the Roosevelts and Howe." -- The Oklahoman "This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal." -- Jay Freeman, Booklist "Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents." -- Library Journal "This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of the London Daily, Sunday Telegraph, and Spectator, and author of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon. "Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods. FDR's Shadow is a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings." -- Douglas Brinkley, author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. "Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century. Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace." -- Sean Wilentz, Princeton University, and author of The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln " FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt provides insights and analyses that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the political landscape of that seminal period of American history." -- Claude R. Marx, Boston Globe "Indeed every member of both houses of the Congress has at least one "dragon-at-the-gate" who rations access to the boss, who edits the speeches, and keeps a check on promises that cannot be kept. But the Howe-Roosevelt symbiotic relationship is a darker story and Ms. Fenster brings a new depth to it." -- Washington Times, Praise for FDR's Shadow : "A well-written, thoroughly researched account of the complex relationship between the Roosevelts and Howe."-- The Oklahoman "This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal." - Jay Freeman , Booklist "Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents." -- Library Journal "This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of the London Daily, Sunday Telegraph, and Spectator , and author of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon. "Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods. FDR's Shadow is a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings." --Douglas Brinkley, author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America . "Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century. Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace."--Sean Wilentz, Princeton University, and author of The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln " FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt provides insights and analyses that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the political landscape of that seminal period of American history." --Claude R. Marx, Boston Globe "Indeed every member of both houses of the Congress has at least one "dragon-at-the-gate" who rations access to the boss, who edits the speeches, and keeps a check on promises that cannot be kept. But the Howe-Roosevelt symbiotic relationship is a darker story and Ms. Fenster brings a new depth to it." -- Washington Times , A well-written, thoroughly researched account of the complex relationship between the Roosevelts and Howe., Indeed every member of both houses of the Congress has at least one "dragon-at-the-gate" who rations access to the boss, who edits the speeches, and keeps a check on promises that cannot be kept. But the Howe-Roosevelt symbiotic relationship is a darker story and Ms. Fenster brings a new depth to it., Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century. Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace., This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal., Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents., FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt provides insights and analyses that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the political landscape of that seminal period of American history., "A well-written, thoroughly researched account of the complex relationship between the Roosevelts and Howe."-- The Oklahoman "This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal." -- Jay Freeman , Booklist "Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents." -- Library Journal "This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of the London Daily, Sunday Telegraph, and Spectator , and author of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Richard M. Nixon. "Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods. FDR's Shadow is a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings." -- Douglas Brinkley, author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America . "Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century. Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace."--Sean Wilentz, Princeton University, and author of The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln " FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt provides insights and analyses that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the political landscape of that seminal period of American history." --Claude R. Marx, Boston Globe "Indeed every member of both houses of the Congress has at least one "dragon-at-the-gate" who rations access to the boss, who edits the speeches, and keeps a check on promises that cannot be kept. But the Howe-Roosevelt symbiotic relationship is a darker story and Ms. Fenster brings a new depth to it." -- Washington Times , Praise forFDR's Shadow: "A well-written, thoroughly researched account of the complex relationship between the Roosevelts and Howe."--The Oklahoman "This is an interesting and well-written examination of a relationship that greatly influenced policy and politics at the onset of the New Deal."—Jay Freeman, Booklist "Fenster presents first-rate insights into Howe's motivations and the ways in which he overcame Eleanor's initial dislike to become an important political mentor to her. This enjoyable read will appeal to presidential history buffs and those interested in the evolving role of the presidential assistant. Essential for all collections on U.S. Presidents." -- Library Journal "This is a much-needed, thoroughly researched, and engagingly written account of the only indispensable adviser in the rise of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Julie Fenster well captures her elusive and eccentric subject." -- Conrad Black, Publisher of theLondon Daily,Sunday Telegraph,andSpectator, and author ofFranklin Delano RooseveltandRichard M. Nixon.Once again Julie Fenster delivers the goods.FDR's Shadowis a brilliant look at how the indomitable and enlightened Louis Howe became the mega-advisor of the Roosevelt Clan. A must read for anybody interested in U.S. political history. Every page sings." --Douglas Brinkley, author ofThe Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America. "Louis Howe's remarkable career as the political savant behind Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to power is one of the greatly underappreciated American stories of the last century. Julie M. Fenster's concise new biography of Howe, based on freshly released material, is a welcome corrective -- a whale of a story told with intelligence and grace."--Sean Wilentz, Princeton University, and author ofThe Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln "FDR's Shadow: Louis Howe, the Force That Shaped Franklin and Eleanor Rooseveltprovides insights and analyses that will be of interest to anyone wanting to know more about the political landscape of that seminal period of American history." --Claude R. Marx,Boston Globe "Indeed every member of both houses of the Congress has at least one "dragon-at-the-gate" who rations access to the boss, who edits the speeches, and keeps a check on promises that cannot be kept. But the Howe-Roosevelt symbiotic relationship is a darker story and Ms. Fenster brings a new depth to it." --Washington Times
