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American Experience: FDR
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Customer Reviews
Rating:  - Excellent for history project
This is a great video to watch if you're writing a paper on FDR or taking a quiz or a test.
Rating: - Excellent Documentary
Enjoyed this thoroughly. The story of a great man. Between his illness and Eleanor's reports, he seemed to have developed a great compassion for others. Our country was so fortunate to have such a leader during many worldwide trials. Very well done.
Rating: - Excellent PBS production
This is the best documentary on the life both pre white house and during the presidency of FDR that I have ever seen. The bits with the presidents grandson are especially insightful.
Rating: - He'd Never Be Elected Today!
As I wrote in my review on President Truman, President Roosevelt would be un-electable today. First, because he was the dreaded 'L' word--liberal, and proud of it.
Mr. Roosevelt's private life, combined with his physical handicap, would be picked apart and criticized by such as the 'fair and balanced' news commentators now. His manipulation of the American political system at the time would be roundly condemned today. Of course, it was what America needed at that time. President Roosevelt was the first chief executive in this country to believe, and practice, that the American government had a responsibility to its citizens beyond national defense. The scope of the work he envisioned for the American government is still breathtaking today. We know now that Mr. Roosevelt introduced the practice of Presidential domination in American politics. He provided leadership when so many countries drifted into dictatorship and inaction. We know now that the most valuable resource he provided America was hope and an optimism sadly lacking in today's bickering politicians.
And that voice! Patrician, seductive, and yet able to distill complex governmental policies into terms that the average American could understand. It is instructive to listen to President Roosevelt speak, then flip to Mr. Hitler.
There has been only one President as enigmatic in his personal dealings as Mr. Roosevelt in the last century: President Nixon. However, unlike Nixon, FDR genuinely liked people and enjoyed their company, all the while hiding his true feelings and intentions.
Not a perfect man, Mr. Roosevelt was indeed the man for the times, and how fortunate we were to have him as our leader for so many years.
To young people, who only see what we elect as Presidents now, this can be a fascinating view of one of our greats. The rich documentary footage brings this long-dead leader back for us. For that, we should be grateful and supportive of this series.
Rating: - A "Must-Have" for Roosevelt Aficionados
You could accuse the producers of this biography of fawning over FDR. In fairness, the presentation includes the less attractive elements of Roosevelt: his guile, his disingenuous nature, and, of course, his love life.
But it still expresses such admiration of Roosevelt's personal courage, wit, intelligence, and leadership qualities. Well, if the shoe fits, wear it. Roosevelt earns the title of "best president of the twentieth century." He saw us through the worst economic events we ever experienced, and through our worst war.
Could he have done better? Sure. But Beethoven could have written a better ninth symphony, too. In demonstrating the art of leadership, he was indisputably brilliant - not perfect.
I loved the special footage here of Roosevelt's personal life. It is not only inspirational - it also shares the sheer joy of the man's existence in the face of terrible personal crisis and disappointment. Loving life is what it's all about.
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