Final Victory

FDR's Extraordinary World War II Presidential Campaign

By Stanley Weintraub
(Da Capo Press, Hardcover, 9780306821134, 336pp.)

Publication Date: July 2012

Other Editions of This Title: Paperback, Compact Disc, Compact Disc, MP3 CD

Categories: Historical - General

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Stanley Weintraub is a preeminent historian and an award-winning author of more than fifty highly acclaimed books of history and biography, including Pearl Harbor Christmas, Silent Night, 11 Days in December, Victoria, and Disraeli. He lives in Newark, Delaware.

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Publishers Weekly, 3/26/12
“Weintraub paints a vivid portrait of the public mood and of FDR literally willing himself to victory with a relatively unknown running mate, Harry Truman…Historically satisfying, bringing the events to life with telling anecdotes, Weintraub’s book portrays a political icon determined to make his mark on America and the world in the twilight of his life.”

Kirkus Reviews, 5/15/12
“In this well-researched, engaging history, Weintraub effectively brings the players to life, portraying the public and private faces of the witty, indomitable FDR and his opponent, the stiff, humorless New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey…Weintraub shows how Roosevelt, despite his illness, was still a force to be reckoned with…A well-drawn political history of FDR’s last days.” Unshelved Book Club, 5/4/12
“[A] satisfyingly gossipy history of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s campaign for an unprecedented fourth term.”
WWII History, July 2012“[An] engrossing work dealing with the only American president to serve more than two terms.”

Milwaukee Shepherd-Express, 7/3/12
“[A] well-researched and entertaining voyage through that long-ago, unprecedented campaign.”

Milwaukee Sunday Journal Sentinel, 7/9/12
“Briskly written…Weintraub does a great job turning what could be a predictable subject (we know how it turns out, after all) into a page-turner. And he shows some interesting same-as-it-ever-was parallels to today.”
Hudson Valley News, 7/18/12“Weintraub has brought it all back…This book reads like a novel. Whether or not you remember those days, they will come to life for you while reading this book.”
InfoDad.com, 7/26/12“[Weintraub] is certainly aware of ways in which the 1944 election has resonance with later ones…Weintraub does a good job of using primary sources and of humanizing grand events of the day.”
Bookviews.com, August 2012”A fascinating visit to the past."

Reference & Research Book News, August 2012“[Weintraub] employs an anecdotal/narrative sort of approach to the topic, offering a snapshot of the political mood and contexts of the country at a time of war as much as he considers the specifics of Roosevelt's decisions and activities as he campaigned with the relatively unknown Harry Truman.”

Library Journal, 8/10/12“Enjoyable and readable. Weintraub knows the literature and how to hold a reader’s attention. Political junkies will especially enjoy it during this electoral season.”
Roanoke Times, 8/12/12“An in-depth account of the election of 1944…Some readers might see an eerie similarity between the 1944 campaign and the 2012 campaign.”
Lowell Sun, 8/5/12“[A] great summer read for both lovers of politics as well as history buffs.”

Richmond Times-Dispatch, 8/19/12“Offers a detailed look at the 1944 race and contains details that even the most inveterate reader of FDR books will find fresh…A penetrating look at a seminal campaign and an intriguing view of American history, Final Victory examines, with scholarship and sense, a unique moment in politics and a fascinating look at some of the major political and military figures of the Second World War. Weintraub…again demonstrates his skill at examining the republic in moments of crisis.”
Asbury Park Press, 8/19/12“Weintraub does a masterful job of delivering some knockout punches to the reader early on…He captures the essence of FDR…Compelling reading…A rollicking tale of politics, much of which will resonate with followers of the current presidential election.”
Politics and Patriotism blog, 8/21/12“An enlightening look at Presidential politics near the end of the Second World War. Today’s commentators and behind-the-scenes candidate handlers would be well advised to read this before we go to vote in November…Final Victory is a carefully considered documentation of Roosevelt’s iron resolve, and the lure of political power.”

ForeWord Reviews, Fall 2012“Riveting reading…Readers drawn to compelling stories about American politics will find Final Victory a rewarding and highly informative book.”
Washington Independent Review of Books, 9/4/12“[Weintraub] is no ordinary storyteller…Weintraub skillfully and seamlessly weaves together his varied sources to tell a fabulous tale…Weintraub brings to life the long-forgotten time of train campaigning. From the candidates’ railroad cars to the campaign stops, he makes the reader want to jump on the rail with the candidates and tour the country…[The] narrative is so strong you will think you are there, the hallmark of a great history book. So mute the TV, pause the pundits and get caught up in a truly extraordinary campaign, the election of 1944.”
Bookgasm.com, 8/30/12“Though we all know the end results, Weintraub has a professionally smooth style that makes for delightfully easy reading…Read it if you’re a big Roosevelt or World War II fan.”

Philadelphia Inquirer, 10/7/12“A vivid, comprehensive portrait not only of Roosevelt’s 1944 election run, but of te American political landscape of the time…Final Victory is filled with the ferocious back-and-forth battles of any hotly run political race—especially a wartime, presidential one. And Weintraub does an amazing job of digging up all the details of this exceptional campaign. But what really propels the book are the colorful, telling stories and anecdotes…Well-written and filled with fascinating information, Final Victory wonderfully captures a pivotal moment in America’s history.”
WomanAroundTown.com,9/27/12“Winning [Roosevelt’s] fourth term in 1944 was by no means a cakewalk. Stanley Weintraub tells the tale with all the drama and suspense of a thriller.”