The Man He Became
How FDR Defied Polio to Win the Presidency
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Narrated by:
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Charles Constant
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By:
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James Tobin
About this listen
When polio paralyzed Franklin Roosevelt at the age of thirty-nine, people wept to think that the young man of golden promise must live out his days as a helpless invalid. He never again walked on his own. But in just over a decade, he regained his strength and seized the presidency.
This was the most remarkable comeback in the history of American politics. And, as author James Tobin shows, it was the pivot of Roosevelt's life-the triumphant struggle that tempered and revealed his true character. With enormous ambition, canny resourcefulness, and sheer grit, FDR willed himself back into contention and turned personal disaster to his political advantage. Tobin's dramatic account of Roosevelt's ordeal and victory offers central insights into the forging of one of our greatest presidents.
©2013 James Tobin (P)2013 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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- Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Shortly after losing all of his wealth in a terrible 1884 swindle, Ulysses S. Grant learned he had terminal throat and mouth cancer. Destitute and dying, Grant began to write his memoirs to save his family from permanent financial ruin. As Grant continued his work, suffering increasing pain, the American public became aware of this race between Grant's writing and his fatal illness. Twenty years after his respectful and magnanimous demeanor toward Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, people in the North and the South came to know Grant, now using his famous determination in this final effort.
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Great story, average narration
- By Tad Davis on 04-25-12
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Truman
- By: David McCullough
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 54 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Hailed by critics as an American masterpiece, David McCullough's sweeping biography of Harry S. Truman captured the heart of the nation. The life and times of the 33rd president of the United States, Truman provides a deeply moving look at an extraordinary, singular American.
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That Mousy Little Man From Missouri Revisited
- By Sara on 07-23-15
By: David McCullough
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Lady Bird and Lyndon
- The Hidden Story of a Marriage That Made a President
- By: Betty Boyd Caroli
- Narrated by: Amanda Carlin
- Length: 16 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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A fresh look at Lady Bird Johnson that upends her image as a plain Jane who was married for her money and mistreated by Lyndon. This Lady Bird worked quietly behind the scenes through every campaign, every illness, and a trying presidency as a key strategist, fundraiser, barnstormer, peacemaker, and indispensable therapist.
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Lady Bird & btw Lyndon
- By Richard on 11-27-15
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Charlatan
- America's Most Dangerous Huckster, the Man Who Pursued Him and the Age of Flimflam
- By: Pope Brock
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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This is the enormously entertaining story of how a fraudulent surgeon made a fortune by inserting goats' testes into impotent American men. "Doctor" John Brinkley became a world renowned authority on sexual rejuvenation in the 1920s, with famous politicians and even royalty asking for his services.
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nix the narrator
- By susan nenadic on 02-08-09
By: Pope Brock
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Splendid Solution
- Jonas Salk and the Conquest of Polio
- By: Jeffrey Kluger
- Narrated by: Michael Prichard
- Length: 13 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Salk became a cultural hero and icon for a whole generation. Now, at the fiftieth anniversary of the first national vaccination program, and as humanity is tantalizingly close to eradicating polio worldwide, comes this unforgettable chronicle. Salk's work was an unparalleled achievement, and it makes for a magnificent listen.
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Excellent book
- By Tim on 08-10-06
By: Jeffrey Kluger
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Jackie, Ethel, Joan
- Women of Camelot
- By: J. Randy Taraborrelli
- Narrated by: Beth Fowler
- Length: 5 hrs and 42 mins
- Abridged
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What does it mean to be a Kennedy? If ever three women would be challenged and changed by marriage into a family, it would be Jacqueline Bouvier, Ethel Skakel, and Joan Bennett. None of these radiant brides could have ever been prepared for the fame, the family, and tragedies that would spring from their lives. As they struggled to cope with their husbands' infidelities, the harsh glare of the media, and the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy, these women would learn what it meant to be sisters, reaching out to one another with comfort and consolation.
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my first Kennedy book
- By colleen on 06-15-12
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Promise Me, Dad
- A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose
- By: Joe Biden
- Narrated by: Joe Biden
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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In November 2014, 13 members of the Biden family gathered on Nantucket for Thanksgiving, a tradition they had been celebrating for the past 40 years; it was the one constant in what had become a hectic, scrutinized, and overscheduled life. The Thanksgiving holiday was a much-needed respite, a time to connect, a time to reflect on what the year had brought, and what the future might hold. But this year felt different from all those that had come before.
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A Sad Memoir
- By Jean on 12-02-17
By: Joe Biden
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The Radium Girls
- The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women
- By: Kate Moore
- Narrated by: Angela Brazil
- Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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The year was 1917. As a war raged across the world, young American women flocked to work, painting watches, clocks, and military dials with a special luminous substance made from radium. It was a fun job, lucrative and glamorous - the girls themselves shone brightly in the dark, covered head to toe in the dust from the paint. They were the radium girls. As the years passed, the women began to suffer from mysterious and crippling illnesses.
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A simple way to improve the robotic narration
- By B. C. French on 06-07-17
By: Kate Moore
What listeners say about The Man He Became
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- steve thomas
- 04-04-21
Good slice of life bio
I've been underwhelmed by the full length FDR bios I've listened to or read (Smith, Daniels) and come to prefer books like this that focus on a period of his life. This one is centered around his battle with polio in the 1920's and it's well written and perceptive. The Richard Moe book about his 3rd term run in 1940 is another good one.
The narration was only adequate.
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- Renaissancelady46
- 03-15-14
Captivating and Informative
What made the experience of listening to The Man He Became the most enjoyable?
I found this book intriguing because it not only told the story of FDR's terrible struggle with polio but also included scientific information about how the disease ravages the body. I have read many books on FDR but never one that went so deeply into his fight with polio.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Man He Became?
I found the retelling of FDRs initial battle with the disease, the several misdiagnoses, and the despair he felt to be unforgettable.
What about Charles Constant’s performance did you like?
Excellent reader.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes.
Any additional comments?
A very well written, well researched, interesting book.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Charles
- 01-16-21
Polio a life enhancing journey
Having contracted polio in 1954 I now have a better understanding of my journey. I have been and still are president of my business plus being chairman of various organizations including Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries and the UC sailing team. Not president of a country still a journey polio helped as it did for FDR.
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- Troy
- 01-20-14
Insightful but can be monotonous at times
What made the experience of listening to The Man He Became the most enjoyable?
Insight into the life of FDR and the way he powered through his challenges.
What did you like best about this story?
The way he proved that regardless of handicap, a person can rise to the pinnacle of society.
Which character – as performed by Charles Constant – was your favorite?
FDR.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No.
Any additional comments?
Worth a read if you are figuring out how to overcome a handicap or want insight in to the life of FDR.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jan M. Keough
- 09-06-21
FDR fights for his life
To achieve what he did after the onslaught of Polio was almost unbelievable. Medically and emotionally it was an amazing achievement. He fought for his life.
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