History Camp Discussions
Thursday, December 19 @ 8 pm Eastern
Paul Sparrow
Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR’s War of Words with Charles Lindbergh and the Battle to Save Democracy
From the Publisher:
A powerful new work of history that brings President Roosevelt, his allies, and his adversaries to life as he fought to transform America from an isolationist bystander into the world’s first superpower.
“In today’s troubled times, with authoritarianism escalating at home and abroad, Sparrow’s book reads like an all-hands-on-deck wakeup call. Highly recommended!”—Douglas Brinkley
Franklin Roosevelt awoke at 2:50 a.m. on September 1, 1939 to the news that Germany had invaded Poland, signaling the start of World War II. The president had warned for years that Hitler’s fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy, but the American public remained stubbornly isolationist as fascist sympathizing groups, egged on by right wing media stars promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, plotted to overthrow the president.
The situation was dire, and Roosevelt quickly found himself facing an unexpected adversary: Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator’s youthful charm, plainspoken rhetoric, and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he led an aggressive attack on FDR’s policies. Millions listened to Linberg’s radio broadcasts and attended his rallies. Powerful individuals including William Randolph Hearst, Henry Ford, and members of Congress supported him. The German government provided secret funds to Lindbergh’s Nazi followers as he led the radical America First Committee in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from aiding England’s survival—and the world’s.
Awakening the Spirit of America brilliantly shows how Roosevelt overcame the forces aligned against him in a war against fascism. Paul Sparrow, former director of the FDR Presidential Library, reveals how FDR’s triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. Roosevelt’s astute political maneuvers and persuasive use of language to preserve what he termed “the spirit of America” changed history and can still inspire today.
Sparrow brings readers into the rooms where key decisions were made, focusing on the crucial role words, media, and propaganda played in the transformation of America into the protector of the free world. Awakening the Spirit of America provides a riveting, inside account of FDR’s ultimate victory over pro-Nazi isolationists and provides vital insight into American history and an iconic president.
Reviews:
“The phrase ‘America First’ has been around for a long time. Its most prominent use before President Trump revived it came during the run-up to the United States entering World War II, when the America First Committee — whose most prominent face was aviation hero Charles Lindbergh — urged the country to stay out of the conflict. Sparrow, a former director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, recaptures that contentious era.” — The Washington Post
“A fascinating new book. Enough books have been written on World War II to stretch from here to eternity, but few have focused on this mano-a-mano between president and pitchman—a prescient tale if ever there were one.” — Booklist
“This deeply researched, engaging work demonstrates what was at stake in the war of words between Roosevelt and isolationists in the immediate years prior to the U.S.’s entry into WWII. There’s much to enjoy in this title.” — Library Journal (starred)
“Paul M. Sparrow’s Awakening the Spirit of American brilliantly recounts how President Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated the “America First” isolationists in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Roosevelt, a true avatar of democracy writ large, knew how dangerous an opponent Charles Lindbergh—an all-season American hero because of his 1927 Trans-Atlantic flight—was in a world ripped with fascism on the rise. In today’s troubled times, with authoritarianism escalating at home and abroad, Sparrow’s book reads like an all-hands-on-deck wakeup call. Highly recommended!” — Douglas Brinkley, author of Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America
“Sparrow puts his knowledge of the president’s archives to excellent use in this riveting debut history. His storytelling captivates, and he makes an invigorating case that the president’s calls to fight for democracy resonate today. A gripping snapshot of America at a crossroads.” — Publishers Weekly
Join us at HistoryCamp.org/discussions for this free event and watch replays of earlier interviews, presentations, and discussions.