FDR

This comprehensive biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt doesn’t break new ground, but for listeners who aren’t familiar with his entire life the book provides an excellent overview. The author explores FDR’s political shift from wealthy East Coast aristocrat to champion of the common man. He also shows the adjustments that were made politically and physically due to his polio. Richard McGonagle sounds a little like an old-time newsreel narrator but without any false drama in his voice. He doesn’t try to imitate FDR’s voice, but in reading excerpts of speeches he adopts a hint of the president’s accent, which helps identify the source of the quotes and gives the reading a good change of pace. The abridgment is seamless. The book does justice to the man, and the audio does justice to the book. R.C.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 07/ JAN 08]