This Day in History: FDR inaugurated, March 4, 1933

Man He Became by James Tobin

"Many books have been written about Franklin Roosevelt's life in politics, but here Tobin takes a risk by telling the story of one of the country's most popular presidents from a largely unexplored angle. As the subtitle suggests, this book looks at Roosevelt's life from the time he contracted polio to the time he became president, and does so with a compassionate view. To keep the book from becoming a maudlin sympathy tale, Tobin considers some obvious but important questions: How did Roosevelt overcome his "handicap" to become president? Would he have become president had he not contracted polio? What effect did his affliction have on him personally? How did his accomplishments affect the perception of handicapped persons generally? The conclusion may be surprising to many: "that he became president because of polio" and the advantages it afforded him during a turbulent period in Democratic Party politics. Personal items are not glossed over—Tobin makes it clear that F.D.R. was not always kindest to those closest to him and that his family life was tense—and the myriad medical and political details are coupled with glimpses of his vulnerable moments. Tobin's balanced and detailed approach offers a well-rounded look at a slice of F.D.R.'s life generally obscured from popular accounts, and it makes for fascinating reading." ~ Publishers Weekly

New Political Novel

Still in the mood for politics even though the election is over? Check out this new novel The Means by Douglas Brunt. Part Primary Colors, part House of Cards, The Means takes you deep into high-stakes politics where everyone has something to hide.

Tom Pauley is a conservative trial attorney in Durham, NC, who is tapped by GOP leaders to campaign for the Governor's mansion. His bold style makes him a favorite for a run at the White House.

Mitchell Mason is the president-elect of the United States, pushed into politics by a father determined to create a political dynasty. Mason manages the White House with a personal touch that makes both friends and enemies.

Samantha Davis is a child actor-turned-lawyer-turned-journalist, working her way up from the bottom in a competitive industry. She is determined and brilliant, and her dogged pursuit of a decade-old story could trigger a scandal that would upend the political landscape.

"This fast-paced, noirish novel offers sharp insights into the sleazy side of human nature and captures the harsh reality of life on the campaign trail. Even casual followers of American politics might appreciate this entertaining contribution, although they may feel bit a grimy after reading about the smear tactics that seem to be the mainstay of today's politicians." (LJ Express Reviews)

Political Intrigue and Moral Dilemmas

The gap between rich and poor has never been wider . . . legislative stalemate paralyzes the country . . . corporations resist federal regulations . . . spectacular mergers produce giant companies . . . the influence of money in politics deepens . . . bombs explode in crowded streets . . . small wars proliferate far from our shores . . . a dizzying array of inventions speeds the pace of daily life.

These unnervingly familiar headlines serve as the backdrop for Doris Kearns Goodwin’s highly anticipated The Bully Pulpit : Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism.

Chosen as one of Amazon's Best Book of The Month - November, The Bully Pulpit is a dynamic history of the first decade of the Progressive era, that tumultuous time when the nation was coming unseamed and reform was in the air. The story is told through the intense friendship of Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft—a close relationship that strengthens both men before it ruptures in 1912, when they engage in a brutal fight for the presidential nomination that divides their wives, their children, and their closest friends, while crippling the progressive wing of the Republican Party, causing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to be elected, and changing the country’s history.

Pulitzer-prize winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is the author of the New York Times bestseller Team of Rivals which was the basis for the Academy Award winning movie Lincoln. Will her newest book follow suit? Check it out and let us know what you think.

Long Awaited Publication of George Orwell's Diaries

Published for the first time in the United States, Diaries gives readers insight into the interior life of George Orwell, author of iconic books such as 1984 and Animal Farm.  Written as separate books, these diaries include both political and domestic entries that chronicle Orwell's travels among miners and migrant workers, the drama of World War II, the death of Orwell's wife, and his battle with tuberculosis.  Edited by the world's foremost Orwell scholar, this groundbreaking work serves as the autobiography Orwell was never able to write.

Forget Romney and Santorum... re-elect Taft!

As GOP candidates fling dirt at one another in the race for the presidential nomination, it's easy to get disenchanted with politics.  Take a break with the political satire Taft 2012!  After his mysterious disappearance on the day of Woodrow Wilson's inauguration, William Howard Taft's sudden arrival in Washington nearly one hundred years later marks an expected change in the course of the 2012 elections.  This debut novel by Jason Heller follows the strange new life of a presidential Rip Van Winkle: a man who never even wanted the White House in the first place, yet finds himself hurtling toward it once more—this time, through the media-fueled madness of 21st-century America.

Book to movie alert : Revisit the 2008 election with 'Game Change'

In a presidential election year, politics is on everyone's minds.  John Heilemann and Mark Halperin's Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime is a nonfictional work published in 2010 that examines the 2008 presidential election.  Capitalizing on 2012's election season energy, HBO is has turned this book into a movie premiering on March 10, with a recently released trailer available here.  Read the book first - like many other great titles, it's available at to cardholders at Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library.