Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom - Hardcover

"Conrad Black makes a thorough and compelling case for his view that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the most important person of the 20th Century. Whether overcoming painful physical barriers or leading the country through the Great Depression and World War II, FDR demonstrated the heroic qualities that define the "Greatest Generation" - faith, optimism, strength and vision." (FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON )

"Thoughtful and readable." (HENRY KISSINGER )

"A monument to industry and research, it comprehensively covers the waterfront and it brings in the kind of generous and admiring verdict that might not necessarily have been expected from so partisan a press proprietor." (ANTHONY HOWARD SUNDAY TIMES )

"One of the funniest and cleverest essays in the analysis of American politics ever written, worthy to rank beside the work of Theodore H White or AJ Liebling." (JOHN KEEGAN DAILY TELEGRAPH )

"Monumental and masterful biography... This is a brilliant, scholarly, fluent and stimulating read, rich in detail and anecdote, full of robust opinions, enlivened by dry humour and composed with restraint if not economy... a prodigious contribution to an understanding of the pivotal events of America's 20th century." (RAYMOND SEITZ THE TIMES )

"Black's prose bowls the reader effortlessly along: he seamlessly weaves together the political and personal... a truly splendid achievement." (ANDREW ROBERTS DAILY TELEGRAPH reprinted in the IRISH INDEPENDENT )

"Formidable, well-organised and punchy volume... full, illuminating and fascinating to read.... People will argue about FDR till the end of time. Black has put together a powerful case for the defence which belongs on the shelves of all those who take history seriously." (PAUL JOHNSON SUNDAY TELEGRAP[H )

"A formidable thing.... Black obviously adores Roosevelt." (JAY PARINI GUARDIAN )

"Conrad Black researches and writes with unflagging energy... he marshals a decent narrative... and puts his judgement firmly on the line. This is proper history, tended with proper academic care." (PETER PRESTON THE OBSERVER )

"Conrad Black's life of Franklin Roosevelt is a great achievement and all the more welcome for being more than a little surprising." "A fine achievement for any historian, let alone one who has other calls on his time." (THE ECONOMIST )

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the only US president elected for four terms. Conrad Black, the Canadian born proprietor of the Daily Telegraph in Britain (and the Hollinger Group in Canada and the US) has long been fascinated by Roosevelt and his achievement. Struck down in the early 1920s with polio following a promising legal and political career he recovered, but without the use of his legs, to lead the United States out of the depression. First elected in 1932, his 'New Deal' alone would have put him among the most revered of American presidents, but then came World War II. From the earliest days he supported Britain through Lend-Lease. He and Churchill became close friends as well as allies. After Pearl Harbor the two leaders met in Washington over Christmas 1941 to plan the war against the axis powers. Although his health deteriorated, FDR, as he was known, stood for an unprecendented fourth term in 1944 and represented the US at the great allied peace conferences at Yalta and Teheran. Conrad Black sees him as the 'Champion of Freedom' and the greatest individual of the twentieth century.