Dealers and Dreamers: A New Look at the New Deal

Joseph P. Lash's Dealers and Dreamers examines Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal era through the lens of key figures in his inner circle. The book focuses on the relationships and power dynamics between Roosevelt's advisers, confidants, and family members during this pivotal period in American history. The narrative tracks the interactions between policy makers, intellectuals, and activists who shaped the New Deal programs and legislation. Lash draws on extensive research and primary sources to reconstruct the behind-the-scenes negotiations and personal conflicts that influenced major decisions. High-stakes debates over economic recovery, social welfare, and labor rights form the backdrop for intimate portraits of Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Hopkins, Frances Perkins, and other central characters. The book reveals how their individual backgrounds and beliefs affected their approaches to solving the nation's problems. The work stands as both a political history and a study of how personal relationships and ideological tensions can shape government policy. Through these interconnected stories, broader questions emerge about the role of presidential advisers and the balance between pragmatism and idealism in times of crisis.

Readers describe this biography as a detailed examination of FDR's close advisors during the New Deal era, particularly focusing on Harry Hopkins, Rexford Tugwell, and others in Roosevelt's inner circle. Readers commend: - The behind-the-scenes interactions between key New Deal figures - Personal narratives that reveal advisors' motivations and conflicts - Deep research and extensive use of primary sources Common criticisms: - Dense writing style that can be difficult to follow - Occasional meandering into tangential biographical details - Limited coverage of opposition to New Deal policies Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (17 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 ratings) One reader noted: "Lash provides unparalleled access to the personalities and relationships that shaped New Deal policy." Another commented: "The personal rivalries and alliances are fascinating, but the writing can be dry and academic." Multiple reviewers praised the book's insights into Hopkins' influence but wanted more analysis of the economic impact of New Deal programs.

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The Politics of Upheaval by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr The third volume in Schlesinger's Age of Roosevelt series explores the political conflicts and policy battles that shaped the second phase of the New Deal from 1935-1936.

The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope by Jonathan Alter This account focuses on Roosevelt's first hundred days in office and the rapid creation of New Deal programs through the perspectives of key administration figures.

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🏛️ Joseph P. Lash won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for "Eleanor and Franklin," making him one of the most respected chroniclers of the Roosevelt era. 📚 The book reveals how many New Deal programs were shaped by intense debates between two camps within FDR's administration: the "dealers" (pragmatic economists) and the "dreamers" (idealistic reformers). 🗓️ Published in 1988, the book drew from previously unreleased personal papers and correspondence of key New Deal figures, offering fresh insights into this pivotal period of American history. 👥 The author had firsthand experience with his subject matter, having worked as executive secretary of the American Student Union during the New Deal era and maintaining close ties with Eleanor Roosevelt. 💭 The book challenges the common perception that the New Deal was a carefully planned program, showing instead how it evolved through trial and error, competing visions, and political compromise.