The power and genius of FDR as he spoke to an guided a troubled nation

I'm not reviewing this on the quality of its writing, or the depths of its politics. These were eight of the radio talks given by the President of the United States at a time when people listened and looked to him for leadership. The first was in 1933, at a time when the banking infrastructure was collapsing and the country was in a panic. As I read it, my first thought was that he sounded condescending, but as I read further, I realized that it wasn't condescension, it was that soothing calm voice one uses when speaking to a badly wounded animal.

I may or may not agree with all of his policies, but I am interested to know what they were, how they were presented, how they evolved and were implemented, and whether or not they worked. My knowledge of these things is very superficial and I feel that these eight Fireside Chats are the tip of the iceberg. ( )