The Coming of the New Deal: 1933-1935

The Coming of the New Deal: 1933-1935 chronicles the first term of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency and the implementation of his sweeping economic recovery programs. Schlesinger examines the key figures, policies, and political battles that shaped this crucial period of American history. The book details the rapid creation and rollout of major New Deal initiatives including the National Recovery Administration, Agricultural Adjustment Administration, and Tennessee Valley Authority. The narrative follows both the legislative process in Washington and the programs' effects on communities and citizens across the nation during the Great Depression. Through extensive research and primary sources, Schlesinger reconstructs the internal debates within Roosevelt's administration and the fierce opposition from business leaders and conservative politicians. The text provides context for the social movements and economic conditions that influenced New Deal policies. This volume stands as an examination of how crisis and bold government action reshaped the relationship between American citizens and their federal government. The book raises enduring questions about the role of presidential power and state intervention in times of national emergency.

Readers value this book as a comprehensive examination of FDR's early New Deal programs, with detailed coverage of specific policies and the key figures who shaped them. Many note the book provides context that connects to modern political debates. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex economic policies - Rich detail about behind-the-scenes political maneuvering - Strong narrative flow despite dense subject matter - Balanced treatment of New Deal successes and failures Disliked: - Some sections become bogged down in minutiae - Can be overly sympathetic to Roosevelt - Occasional repetition of points - Dense academic writing style challenges some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (142 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) "Brings the era to life through vivid character portraits" - Goodreads reviewer "Sometimes gets lost in trivial details at expense of bigger picture" - Amazon reviewer "Excellent research but writing could be more accessible" - LibraryThing reviewer

Freedom From Fear by David M. Kennedy This work chronicles the Great Depression and World War II with emphasis on Roosevelt's leadership and policy decisions through economic crisis.

The Politics of Upheaval by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr This final volume of Schlesinger's Age of Roosevelt series examines the political battles and social transformations of 1935-1936.

The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope by Jonathan Alter The book details Roosevelt's first hundred days in office and the rapid implementation of New Deal programs during the banking crisis.

Nothing to Fear: FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days That Created Modern America by Adam Cohen This work focuses on five key advisers who helped shape Roosevelt's New Deal policies and economic recovery programs.

Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt by H.W. Brands The book examines Roosevelt's transformation from Hudson Valley aristocrat to champion of progressive economic reforms and social welfare programs.

📚 Author Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. served as a special assistant to President John F. Kennedy and was present during many crucial moments of the Kennedy administration. 🏆 The book won the prestigious Bancroft Prize in 1959, one of the most coveted awards in American historical writing. 🌟 This work is part of Schlesinger's three-volume series "The Age of Roosevelt," which took him over a decade to complete and is considered one of the definitive historical accounts of the New Deal era. 📋 The book details how FDR's administration created 42 new government agencies in its first 100 days, fundamentally transforming the relationship between the federal government and American citizens. 🎓 Schlesinger wrote the book while serving as a professor at Harvard University, where he had become the youngest full professor in the university's history at age 28.