Awakening the Spirit of America

FDR’s War of Words with Charles Lindinbergh–and the Battle to Save Democracy

De: Paul M. Sparrow

Narrado por: Malcolm Hillgartner

Franklin Roosevelt awoke on September 1, 1939 to the news that Germany invaded Poland, signaling the start of World War II. The president warned for years that Hitler's fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy, but the American public remained stubbornly isolationist as fascist sympathizing groups, egged on by right wing media stars promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, plotted to overthrow the president.

The situation was dire, and Roosevelt found himself facing an unexpected adversary: Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator's youthful charm, plainspoken rhetoric, and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he led an attack on FDR's policies. The German government provided secret funds to Lindbergh's Nazi followers as he led the radical America First Committee in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from aiding England's survival—and the world's.

Awakening the Spirit of America shows how Roosevelt overcame the forces aligned against him in a war against fascism. Paul Sparrow, former director of the FDR Presidential Library, reveals how FDR's triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. Awakening the Spirit of America provides a riveting account of FDR's ultimate victory over pro-Nazi isolationists and provides vital insight into American history and an iconic president.

©2024 Paul M. Sparrow (P)2024 Tantor

Preparing for war

Awakening the Spirit of America tells the tale of FDR and his difficult task of moving America away from isolationism in the face of fascist (and Japan's militaristic) threats before America's entry into the War. It is well-written, and the narration is impeccable and pleasing. It lays out the issues with the Neutrality Act and how FDR gradually modified our stance in spite of its unpopularity by instituting Cash and Carry and then Lend Lease leading to the repeal of the Act and industrial mobilization and finally securing authorization for American naval assets to fight back against the German submarine and surface raider threat in the Atlantic as well making America the Arsenal of Democracy. FDR's foil is Charles Lindbergh and America First but to tell you the truth the focus is more on FDR and his efforts rather than the isolationist movement as a significant factor fighting him. The emphasis is on FDR's speeches and fireside chats and his war of words with Lindbergh. It was a mouse fighting a titan. If you like reading about FDR, then you should enjoy this book. I sure did. I enjoyed learning how FDR took popular opinion into account and how he took small, palatable steps toward his goal as a master politician and statesman. The author has access to FDR's papers and the book is chock full of illuminating daily highlights along the way. Highly recommended.

Trust the title, not the blurbs.

For a book that was billed as a tug-of-war between Roosevelt and Lindberg, it isn’t that. Churchill gets more ink than Lindberg. It’s a bit disappointing that way. As a history of Roosevelt finessing America into position for its unavoidable entry into World War Two, it’s fascinating and well worth the listen. Trust the title, not the blurbs.

A Captivating Story

The skill of the writer and the narrator make this book is a page turner. Sparrow has obviously done his homework. He writes concisely, but with enough detail to bring you into the moment. I found his views to be very objective, and agree that this story resonates with our present day situation.