FDR and the US Navy - (World of the Roosevelts) by Edward J Marolda (Hardcover)

About the Book

A group of scholars look at the influence of FDR's naval career and ties to the navy had on his time in office.

Book Synopsis

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a lifelong love for the United States Navy. Inspired as a youth by the US Fleet's dramatic impact on the global stage, and its use overseas by his illustrious cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin quite naturally focused his eyes on the sea. FDR and the US Navy presents the work of prominent biographers and historians who analyzed Franklin D. Roosevelt's long, close, and eventful association with the United States Navy, in war and peace, from the turn of the century to the end of World War II. The contributors show how as President during the 1930s, FDR endeavoured with naval leaders, not always successfully, to build a combat-capable fleet and to deter the aggressor nations of Europe and Asia. The essays argue that one of Franklin Roosevelt's greatest achievements was his direction as Commander in Chief of the US Navy and the other American armed forces during World War II, when the very survival of the nation was at stake. This book is the product of a day-long conference, entitled 'Franklin D. Roosevelt and the US Navy' that was held on October 22, 1996 at the US Navy Memorial Foundation's Heritage Center on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. It is both a powerful tribute and an important historical work on FDR.

From the Back Cover

FDR and the U.S. Navy presents the work of prominent biographers and historians who analyzed Franklin D. Roosevelt's long, close, and eventful association with the U.S. Navy, in war and peace, from the turn of the century to the end of World War II. The contributors show how, as president during the 1930s, FDR endeavored with naval leaders, not always successfully, to build a combat-capable fleet and to deter the aggressor nations of Europe and Asia. The essays argue that one of Franklin Roosevelt's greatest achievements was his direction as commander in chief of the U.S. Navy and the other American armed forces during World War II, when the very survival of the nation was at stake.

Review Quotes

"The sum of the individual contributions creates a balanced picture of one aspect of FDR's crucial role in 20th Century American history, revealing some shortcomings as well as impressive strengths." --"Sea History"

"This is a worthy successor to Marolda's earlier volume on FDR and naval affairs. The new book includes some provocative essays on neglected as well as better-known subjects and is sure to spark renewed interest in this field." --Ronald Spector, Professor of History and International Relations, George Washington University


“The sum of the individual contributions creates a balanced picture of one aspect of FDR's crucial role in 20th Century American history, revealing some shortcomings as well as impressive strengths.” —"Sea History"
“This is a worthy successor to Marolda's earlier volume on FDR and naval affairs. The new book includes some provocative essays on neglected as well as better-known subjects and is sure to spark renewed interest in this field.” —Ronald Spector, Professor of History and International Relations, George Washington University


" The sum of the individual contributions creates a balanced picture of one aspect of FDR's crucial role in 20th Century American history, revealing some shortcomings as well as impressive strengths." -- "Sea History"
" This is a worthy successor to Marolda's earlier volume on FDR and naval affairs. The new book includes some provocative essays on neglected as well as better-known subjects and is sure to spark renewed interest in this field." -- Ronald Spector, Professor of History and International Relations, George Washington University

About the Author

EDWARD J. MAROLDA is the Senior Historian of the Naval Historical Center. He is the author of numerous books.