Doris Kearns Goodwin - No Ordinary Time

'No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt:   The Home Front in World War II' by Doris  Kearns Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning   historical narrative that covers the period of  Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency during World   War II and examines the domestic impact of the  war on American lives, politics, and society,   as well as the intricate dynamics of one of the  most intriguing marriages in American history. Goodwin unfolds the tale of the Roosevelt White  House during the tumultuous years of 1941 to 1945,   beginning with the attack on Pearl Harbor and  America's subsequent entry into World War II.   She chronicles how Franklin, afflicted by polio  yet ever-resilient and politically astute, steered   the country through these challenging times.  Simultaneously, Eleanor, an equally compelling   figure, reinvented the role of First Lady,  becoming an advocate for civil rights, women’s   issues, and the poor, while traversing the country  to bolster morale and inspect the Home Front. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only American  president elected to four terms, led the   country with his persistent optimism and his  belief in strong federal government intervention,   forming policies that would become known as the  New Deal. These programs aimed to provide relief,   recovery, and reform in the wake of the Great  Depression. Goodwin describes how, during the war,   Roosevelt further transformed the government  into the arsenal of democracy, ensuring that   the United States could supply the Allies with  the materials needed to defeat the Axis powers. Roosevelt's leadership during the war  went beyond his administration's ability   to mobilize production; it extended  into crafting a grand strategy for the   war alongside allies such as Winston  Churchill and Joseph Stalin. Goodwin   highlights his skills in diplomacy and his  ability to maintain the Allied coalition,   which faced numerous strategic disagreements.  His vision for a post-war world led to the   foundation of the United Nations and laid  the groundwork for a new international order. Eleanor Roosevelt emerged as not only  a supportive spouse but a political   force with her initiatives and outspoken  opinions. Goodwin delves into Eleanor’s   journey to overcome personal disappointments,  like her husband's affair with Lucy Mercer,   and evolve into a symbol of resilience and  progressivism. Eleanor took an active role   in pressing Franklin’s administration for  expanded roles for women and minorities   in the war effort and was a continuous  voice against racial discrimination,   pushing the boundaries of traditional  expectations for women and for First Ladies. The Roosevelts' relationship  is portrayed as complex,   a partnership rooted in political ambition,  mutual respect, and shared social ideals,   but also marked by emotional distance and  Franklin's infidelities. Their interactions   with a circle of friends, advisers, and  political figures are vividly brought   to life in the White House, which Goodwin  describes as a bustling and often chaotic hub. Furthermore, Goodwin illustrates the societal  transformations the war catalyzed on the   Home Front, where women entered the workforce in  unprecedented numbers, which not only strengthened   the war effort but also set the stage for the  future feminist movement. The war's acceleration   of the Great Migration of African Americans to  the northern industrial cities, seeking better   jobs and an escape from the Jim Crow South, is  also examined, including the resulting racial   tensions and the pressure it put on the Roosevelt  administration to respond to civil rights issues. Goodwin provides a detailed look into  the administration’s attempt to balance   civil liberties with national security,  including contentious decisions such as the   Japanese American internment, which Roosevelt  authorized with Executive Order 9066. These   decisions were made amidst fears  of espionage and sabotage but have   since been widely condemned as violations of  American principles of justice and freedom. Despite the challenges, the Roosevelt  administration saw significant achievements on the   Home Front. Rationing, scrap drives, and victory  gardens became a part of daily American life,   as did a collective spirit of sacrifice  and patriotism. Goodwin depicts a nation   united by the common purpose of victory, with  a citizenry deeply involved in the war effort. 'No Ordinary Time' also examines the impact  of World War II on American culture and   politics. Hollywood and the entertainment  industry were harnessed to boost morale and   disseminate propaganda. Political shifts began  to take shape as the framework for the Cold War   was established through wartime alliances and  policies. The seeds of the future civil rights   movement were sown as Americans of different  races and classes interacted in new ways,   and expectations for social justice began to rise. Goodwin's account sheds special light on  the Roosevelt administration's approach   to the Holocaust, exploring the balance  between the desire to help the victims,   the complications of war-time diplomacy,  and considerations of immigration policy   amidst American anti-Semitism. She documents the  difficult decisions made by Roosevelt concerning   the plight of European Jews, many of  which are now seen as deeply flawed. Towards the end of the narrative, Goodwin  carefully recounts Roosevelt's declining   health and the daunting task of his final term.  She describes the intense pace he maintained   despite the toll on his body, leading up to his  death on April 12, 1945, just weeks before the   end of the war in Europe. With the president's  passing, the nation mourned not just a leader   but a symbol of stability and hope during some  of the most trying years in American history. In the epilogue, Goodwin reflects  on the significant legacy of the   Roosevelts—both their triumphs and their  shortcomings. She considers the impact of   Franklin Roosevelt's leadership on  the presidency and executive power,   as well as Eleanor's enduring influence as a  champion for humanitarian and social causes. Throughout the text, Goodwin draws on a rich  array of sources, including letters, diaries,   and archives, to offer a nuanced portrait of two  of the most influential figures in 20th-century   American history. The book is as much an intimate  study of these two remarkable individuals as it is   a panoramic view of America at a pivotal moment.  'No Ordinary Time' reveals how the Roosevelts,   with their unique partnership and vision, helped  navigate the nation through the crises of war   and shaped the social and political landscape  of the United States for generations to come.