Title

The Roosevelts : an American saga

Description

The story of the Roosevelts is usually seen as a tale of two presidents - Theodore and Franklin - who were distant cousins from distinct worlds, separated by time and politics. And of two families - the Oyster Bay and Hyde Park branches - that had little to do with each other. Now comes an explosive new portrait, The Roosevelts: An American Saga, which offers a completely unique view of America's longest lasting and most powerful dynasty. The Roosevelts were one family, an exclusive elite who began their history intimately related by bonds of love and ambition. In this brilliant biography, we see for the first time how the family divided into two branches and began an epic battle for the family legacy. We see for the first time how the ideals of two presidents were passed on to members of later generations, ennobling some and crushing others. The Roosevelts is a rare look at what brought this exceptional group of people together and what drove them apart. In this riveting book we see Teddy, the flamboyant politician and Rough Rider, who was also a "Papa Bear," passing on an ethos of sacrifice and achievement to his "cubs." There is Theodore Jr., the "crown prince," handpicked by his father to carry on the traditions of Oyster Bay but unable to complete the mission. And Alice, Teddy's acid-tongued and fiercely loyal daughter, whose antics became the talk of Washington and who finally became a caricature, raving against her cousin's New Deal and trying desperately to preserve her father's legacy. There's also Eleanor, daughter of Teddy's tragic brother, Elliott, who translated the unhappiness of her marriage to FDR into political activism, eventually becoming First Lady of the World. And finally there is Franklin, always underestimated by Teddy's family, who made an alliance with Eleanor to become the nemesis of the Oyster Bay Roosevelts and, in the web of ironies that bind this family together, a truer heir to Teddy than any of his own children. Filled with drama and anecdote, presenting familiar characters in a penetrating new light, The Roosevelts is a soaring tale of triumph over heartbreak and frailty. But it is also a daunting story of the vanity of human wishes.

Identifier

483387

671652257

Creator

Collier, Peter

Contributor

Horowitz, David

Source

Brian Lamb Booknotes Collection

Gift of Brian Lamb, 2011.

Catalog record

Language

eng

Date

1994

Program air date: August 7, 1994.

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives

Text

Transcription of Annotations
Notes on front endpapers: T.R. asthma. Repelled by homosexuality--Eleanor p. 269. FDR-Sara, Elliot, Eleanor-radio show, column. T.R.--WWI outlook. William Wells-Alsops, Alice Roosevelt Longworth. Underlinings/notes: Underlinings: Lamb underlines passages about family troubles with TR's brother Elliot, the death of his wife Anna and young Eleanor and other family events. He also underlines /notes developments in TR's career (Civil Service Commission, NY Police Commissioner, etc.) and the frequent suggestion that one day TR would be President of the US. Also highlighted is the issue of lesbianism and Blanche Wiesen Cook's biography of Eleanor Roosevelt which was also a Booknotes book. Notes: "22 children," "Eleanor Long Island," "Franklin farmers," "T.R. Sr. Civil War...substitute," " T.R. Sr. v. T.R. Jr. over Civil W," "Bamie courted by James R.," "Elliot marries Anna 12/1/82. "Alice R.L. born," "Alice & Mittie die." "Badlands," "TR to marry Edith 86." Lamb records the birth of additional Roosevelts. "San Juan Hill," "Rough Riders," "Louis Howe began to teach E politics," "Alice blames Wilson for T.R. death." Lamb's notes continue to punctuate important events in FDR's career and political, social and familial relationships as FDR moves out of TR's shadow.

Subject

"Roosevelt family."

Relation

Original Booknotes interview

Rights

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