Roosevelts and the Royals (eBook)

WILL SWIFT, Ph.D., writes on American leaders and British royalty of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He is also a practicing clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive and marital therapy. Swift founded the Royalty Bookshop in Manhattan and the royal history and collecting journal Sceptre, and he has curated several major exhibitions on royal history, including one celebrating the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday in 2000. Swift lives in Manhattan and in the historic Nathan Wild House, once visited by FDR, in Valatie, New York. His Web site is www.willswift.com.

Preface.Acknowledgments.Prologue: A Picnic Savored around the World.1. Eleanor and Franklin, 1882-1918.2. Bertie and Elizabeth, 1895-1920.3. A Radical Partnership, 1920-1934.4. The Happy Yorks, 1920-1933.5. Rocking the World, 1934-1938.6. Joining Forces, January 1938-April 1939.7. A Genius for Publicity, May 1-June 7, 1939.8. Conquering Washington, June 8-9, 1939.9. Hot Dog Diplomacy, June 10-11, 1939.10. "Our Hearts Are Near Breaking", June 1939-November 1940.11. The Propaganda Campaign, November 1940-December 1941.12. Hitting Close to Home, January-October 1942.13. Eleanor in England, 1942.14. A Perfect Team, January 1943-July 1944.15. Death Before Victory, July 1944-April 1945.16. Starting Over, April 1945-November 1947.17. Walking with Death, April 1948-February 1952.18. First Ladies of the World, February 1952-November 1954.19. Valiant for Friendship, February 1954-August 1967.Epilogue: The Lessons of History.Notes.Bibliography.Photo Credits.Index.

Comparative politics involving Great Britain and the United States during the 20th century forms the background for this book, which traces the lives of two couples, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.  British amateur historian Swift elucidates the monarchical aspect of World War II, which is typical slighted; accounts tend to focus on the American presidency and the British prime ministership. Swift starts with George VI’s visit to the United States shortly before the outbreak – a first for a British monarch. The climax of the four-day visit was on June 11, when the Roosevelts served the king and queen hot dogs at Hyde Park in what became the most famous picnic in U. S. history, symbolizing the two nations’ new democratic bond. The book covers the entire lives of its subjects and presents FDR and the queen as natural politicians from whom their spouses had to learn. Although the subtitle is pure hype, this realistic book will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts. Recommended for public and academic libraries. – William D. Pederson, Louisiana  State Univ., Shreveport (Library Journal, July 2004)“…well written, meticulously detailed…a very fine book…” (Royalty Digest, September 2004)"Realistic...will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts. Recommended." (Revised Library Journal excerpt for Will Swift's The Roosevelts and the Royals)"Delicious...engaging...convincing...covers a wide swath of history....you will want to keep reading until it is all gone." (Albany Times Union)