The Man He Became

Starred review from September 16, 2013
Many books have been written about Franklin Roosevelt’s life in politics, but here Tobin (Ernie Pyle’s War) 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.

June 1, 2013

Franklin Delano Roosevelt demonstrated true grit in his battle with polio, which National Book Critics Circle award winner Tobin argues was the transformative experience that made him the statesman he was.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2013
The basic premise of this bookthat Roosevelt's struggle to overcome polio was a transformative episode in his lifeseems undeniable. After all, Roosevelt, a previously vigorous man, never walked unassisted as a result of the disease. But Tobin, an associate professor of journalism at Miami University of Ohio, goes much further than recounting the obvious physical limitation imposed upon Roosevelt. Rather, Tobin convincingly asserts that the struggle to overcome the disease and to resume an active life transformed Roosevelt's character. It added steel to his personality, led to his appreciation for human suffering, and even added additional fire to his already burning political ambition. Tobin offers very useful context by describing the nature of the polio virus, especially for those too young to recall what a terrifying and devastating malady it was before a vaccine was developed. Roosevelt's grueling efforts at rehabilitation are described in detail. This is a well-done and informative study of a critical component in the life of a giant in American history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)