Traitor to His Class

The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

By: H. W. Brands

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

A sweeping, magisterial biography of the man generally considered the greatest president of the 20th century, admired by Democrats and Republicans alike.

Traitor to His Class sheds new light on FDR's formative years; his remarkable willingness to champion the concerns of the poor and disenfranchised; and his combination of political genius, firm leadership, and matchless diplomacy in saving democracy in America during the Great Depression and the American cause of freedom in World War II.

Drawing on archival materials, public speeches, personal correspondence, and accounts by family and close associates, acclaimed best-selling historian and biographer H. W. Brands offers a compelling and intimate portrait of Roosevelt's life and career.

Brands explores the powerful influence of FDR's dominating mother and the often tense and always unusual partnership between FDR and his wife, Eleanor, and her indispensable contributions to his presidency.

Most of all, the book traces in breathtaking detail FDR's revolutionary efforts with his New Deal legislation to transform the American political economy in order to save it, his forceful and cagey leadership before and during World War II, and his lasting legacy in creating the foundations of the postwar international order.

Traitor to His Class brilliantly captures the qualities that have made FDR a beloved figure to millions of Americans.

©2008 H. W. Brands (P)2008 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

Short-listed - Pulitzer Prize, 2009

"H.W. Brands is a master at finding the essence of an important American life, telling its story grippingly and showing us why it is important to our own generation. With Traitor to His Class, he has surpassed even his own high standard. This judicious and compelling work is the first major one-volume biography written by an historian too young to have lived in Franklin Roosevelt's time. It deserves a wide audience, especially among those younger Americans who need to be told why we all owe so much to FDR."
-Michael Beschloss

“This is a rare book, indeed, shedding new light and brilliant insight upon an elusive subject we thought we knew well. In this elegant, all-encompassing portrayal, master historian H. W. Brands shows us a leader who got the big issues right and, in doing so, forever changed the expectations of the world. Traitor to His Class will quickly emerge as the finest one-volume biography of FDR.”
-David Oshinsky, Winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for History

"We live in the world Franklin Roosevelt created, and we can never know enough about him. In this illuminating portrait of the man who proved far more radical than his upbringing would have ever suggested, H. W. Brands has painted FDR in bright and brilliant colors."
-Jon Meacham, author of Franklin and Winston and American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

"H.W. Brands has accomplished a remarkable feat in this terrific work. As if he were creating characters in a novel, he has brought to vivid life the central figures in his story--FDR, Eleanor, Sara Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and the inner circle in the White House--while at the same time providing a fresh understanding of the rich historical context for their thoughts and actions at every step along the way."
-Doris Kearns Goodwin, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of Team of Rivals

A man who changed America

Seventy six years ago one of America’s most important presidents died, but in his wake you see how he truly changed this country for the better. Programs that we take for granted today such as social security and the GI Bill were radical for the time. This man changed how America is today and this book explores his life and everything that made him the man he was.

Well-researched, excellent performance

Brand covers history and politics, along with the story of an interesting man and his interesting family. One of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to.

A great book about a great man

I'm no historian, I don't know the whole story. But I left after listening to this feeling that I know some of who this man was, this Franklin, Delano Roosevelt. A fine man. A good American.

I recommend listening to this or anyone, interested in our history. For that matter, just to learn about a spectacular man.

Excellent insight into FDR

Mr. Brands delves deeply into FDR’s life to show us a human going through life and developing. We see his strengths and weaknesses, his mistakes and triumphs.

The narration by Mr. Deakins is perfect.

Wonderfully Thorough, Well Narrated

I was originally curious about Roosevelt because he’s one of Obama’s favorite presidents. Now I can say, give or take a couple of issues, he’s one of mine. At first I had to get used to the narrator’s measured dryness, but then I grew to appreciate it. It was so consistent it didn’t distract from the information.

Worth every minute.

I felt as if I was listening to FDR's own voice through the author's pen and the narrator's performance. The scenes were painted with such two tail and the narrator made them come alive. It was a treat to learn so much more about FDR then I ever could have imagined. I recommend the unabridged version - it may seem daunting to listen to, but I found myself hanging on every word.

Amazing book - awesome narration

I just finished the audible version of this book. Very comprehensive and well narrated. I’m no fan of FDR, but H. W. Brands goes into great detail describing the challenges and situations FDR had to go through in order to restore hope to Americans impoverished by a depression, and to a world facing subjugation by tyrants. The detail Brands provides, combined with Mark Deakins’ narration helps you understand the circumstances behind FDR’s decisions and his state of mind, and makes the reader/listener feel like s/he was present and by FDR’s side. Highly recommended!

A great book about the BEST U.S. President

This was a phenomenal listen from the beginning. It made me love Roosevelt even more.

Rare Combination,,, Fact AND Feeling!

The study of history is amazing when truth of BOTH a feeling and a factual nature jumps off the pages.

Agree or not with a given policy of FDR, you will know his feeling as well as his thinking. Not since Carl Sandburg or Bruce Catton history books have I experienced both truths in any one book!

Masterful!

An extraordinary life.

I had always known that FDR was a Giant. Now I understand why.
His life's work has a continuing impact on the world and its people