Rate this book

Those Angry Days: Roosevelt, Lindbergh, And America's Fight Over World War II, 1939-1941 (2013)

by Lynne Olson(Favorite Author)

4.12 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1400069742 (ISBN13: 9781400069743)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Random House

review 1: Another five star for a period that was largely blind to me, and now forgotten by America. The 18 months before Pearl Harbor was (other than today and the Civil War) probably the most divisive in US history. The nation was torn apart about whether to go to war or to remain aloof. The role of the British, Lindbergh, Wendell Wilke, and a host of other characters. I never knew how indecisive Roosevelt was as a politician in those days and afraid to lead the country when the polls were clearly in his favor. I never knew the secret role British intelligence played in pulling American opinion toward Britain. In those days, Britain was universally hated and blamed for baiting us into WWI, for example. Racism (as always) was a factor, with anti-immigration being a leading t... moreool of the far right (sound familiar?), though the targets then were Jews seeking to escape from Europe. I never knew, for example, that after Krystalnacht German Jewish organizations tried to place 16,000 Jewish children in the US and Britain. Britain took 9,000 of them; we took 240. A few years later though, over 1.4 million US households offered to take in British children during the blitz. Some passages from the book could be lifted and placed in a book about today with no changes. The various organizations, the press, the politics, the role of the US military, conscription during peacetime, lend-lease, the buildup of the military, what people believed, wrote and how the voted -- it's all very enlightening. Of course, on December 7, 1941, it all became moot and everyone was pro war. But in Roosevelt's famous "day of infamy" speech, he was only declaring war on Japan. The Brits were panicking until bailed out by Hitler a week later who foolishly declared war on the US. His two big blunders that sealed his fate -- attacking Russia in June 1941, and declaring war on the US later that year. Things could have been VERY different.
review 2: Very well written and researched book on the period prior to America's entry into World War II. America was deeply divided on whether we should intervene, how much support we should give, or let the allies figure it all out. It was not pretty, both sides bringing their points of view through the media, speeches, demonstrations, etc., even going so far as ruining the reputations of good people. The two main antagonists are President Roosevelt and Charles Lindbergh, each working to influence America to their way of thought on the subject. Of course, once Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and Germany declared war on the U.S. four days later, the answer was clear for our actions. My take in the end, Mr Lindbergh kept his integrity intact, Roosevelt, not so much, especially due to those in government directly working under him. For all those that have an interest in WWII, this is a must read. less

Download links for: Those Angry Days: Roosevelt, Lindbergh, and America's Fight Over World War II, 1939-1941

Advertising