Those Angry Days

Those Angry Days chronicles the intense debate over American intervention in World War II from 1939 to 1941. The narrative centers on the clash between isolationists led by Charles Lindbergh and interventionists championed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The book examines how this national argument played out across politics, media, and society in pre-war America. Through personal correspondence, news coverage, and government documents, Olson reconstructs the tactics used by both sides to sway public opinion. Olson presents the period through key figures including newspaper tycoon William Allen White, Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The story reveals how American citizens and leaders grappled with questions of neutrality, aid to Britain, and the nation's role in world affairs. The book illuminates enduring questions about democracy, foreign policy, and the tension between national security and individual liberties in times of crisis.

Readers emphasize the book's detailed portrayal of the fierce debate between isolationists and interventionists before WWII. Many note how it reads like a political thriller while maintaining historical accuracy. Likes: - Clear explanation of complex political maneuvering - Balanced treatment of Charles Lindbergh and FDR - Integration of personal letters and private documents - Focus on less-covered figures like Wendell Willkie Dislikes: - Some find the first 100 pages slow - Several readers mention redundant passages - A few note occasional bias against isolationists - Some wanted more coverage of everyday Americans' views Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (750+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "Shows how bitter political divisions are nothing new in American history" appears in multiple reviews. Some history teachers report using specific chapters to illustrate pre-war American politics to students.

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🌟 Charles Lindbergh, a key figure in the book, was so widely admired before the isolationism controversy that polls showed him was considered the most respected man in America after President Roosevelt. ✈️ Author Lynne Olson discovered that the FBI had secretly monitored prominent interventionists, including journalists and public figures who supported entering World War II, treating them as potential threats. 📝 The book reveals that President Roosevelt used British intelligence agents to spy on isolationist groups within the United States, creating a secret network of surveillance. 🎭 Famous Hollywood figures took strong sides in the debate, with Walt Disney and Joseph Kennedy supporting isolationism while directors Frank Capra and Darryl Zanuck advocated for intervention. 🗞️ The Chicago Tribune was so vehemently isolationist that its owner, Colonel Robert McCormick, ordered his editors to refer to World War II as "Roosevelt's War" in all articles.