The evolution of the complex relationship between Perkins and President Franklin D. Roosevelt is a central plot point in the novel. What surprised you about this relationship? How did it shed light on history?
What surprised me was we learn all about FDR in school but I sure donât remember learning about Frances. I was also surprised by her relationship with Eleanor.
Ms Perkinsâs first impression of Franklin was interesting. He seemed to be a good-looking man from a privileged background. He seemed very shallow, which was surprising because I had not heard him described that way. It seemed that having Polio changed not only his physical ability but also his attitude.
Over time Perkins learned how to interact effectively with the dominance of men in politics. She grew to respect FDR and he her. They had a level of communication that evolved over both of their careers. I cheered for her as she didnât hold back, yet managed to know where the line existed, and that line changed over time, too. She knew about timing and persistence. Bully for her!
This aspect of the novel was absolutely fascinating. First it showed the evolution of FDRâs political strength as he aged, and moved through various tragedies, personally and nationally. I always assumed he was always the way history remembers him. And secondly, how much of this history of his presidency resembles current national affairs. Immigration, Distribution of wealth and huge disparities, Extremes of the political parties, journalism. Truly History repeats itself. I wish I saw the political maturity of todayâs politicians compared with Rosevelt.
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I thought it was interesting that FDR did not always âplay his cardsâ the way that Francis thought he would. When he did things that seemed unsupportive (I recall a speech that she edited and then was edited by someone else, un-doing many of her changes), she had the maturity to step back from it and assess what might have happened to cause this outcome. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciated that she did not over-react to these situations. I think that was key to their mutual respect. And how difficult it must be for a president to know which of his trusted advisors are truly worthy of his trust - that was an eye-opener for me as all.
I was a nice surprised that FDR hired a women to be a secretary in the federal government and that he treated her as a professional. Also I had a much different impression of him based on his affair with Lucy Mercer and his life with Eleanor. It seemed Perkins and FDR respected each otherâs opinions and he let her create Social Security, a big risk.
I was pleased that S. Dray did not even mention Lucy Mercer in this book.
So much that has been written in recent years has focused on speculation
(and fact?) about their intimate relationships with others. This author was
taking aim at a higher level of understanding of the work they did for the
country.
I was fascinated by this part of the story. It gave me a better perspective of FDR. I think I was surprised because it seemed a more real view of the history I had only known superficially before. I loved learning about the personal and professional relationships that the story explored.
I was surprised to learn how unimpressed Frances was with FDR when she first met him. He seemed to be a shallow, arrogant blue blood with no concern for anyone but himself and his political future. She saw the change that polio caused in him and learned to respect him as he matured and developed a genuine interest in helping those who were less fortunate than himself. His confidence in her and respect for her abilities grew as he allowed himself to see her as a real person despite the fact that she was a woman in a âmanâs world.â
I wondered if that âjokeâ between them about the 54 hour vote was realâŚthe vote was probably real and the outcome (thatâs history and can be verified). But the fact that this âteasingâ went on for years and years seems fabricated. Although anyone who has attended a 50 year high school reunion may have been reminded of a teenage prank or misstep?
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Like Elizabeth above, I was surprised to learn how unimpressed Frances was with FDR when she first met him. He seemed to be a shallow, arrogant blue blood with no concern for anyone but himself and his political future. Many years later she seemed to have a similar reaction when she met Kennedy at the 50th anniversary event. I think it helped that she had the early tussle with FDR in Albany; she seemed to immediately understand how far she could âpushâ the president, whether he was teasing or serious, giving her a directive. Her conversations with Eleanor and how Eleanor reacted to FDR also assisted Perkins.
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Like several others, I was surprised at how self-centered FDR was, or at least seemed in Francesâ eyes, when she first met him. My grandparents idolized FDR and spoke highly of him for as long as they both lived. I had such high expectations for him, so I was shocked at how infantile and superficial his behavior seemed in the first few scenes in which he appeared. However, I was equally surprised by how both Perkins and FDR grew over time, and I loved the subtle and realistic way in which Dray portrayed their growth. FDRâs experience with polio and disability changed him, of course, as did Perkinsâ experiences with her husbandâs illness. But what we saw was a gradual easing of suspicion and distrust alongside a slow and plausible growth of understanding and mutual respect. Their ally-ship and even friendship seemed solid and âweatherproofâ at least in part because we were able to accompany them as they endured their crises alone and together over time.
Itâs very rare to see FDR mentioned in a negative manner as was Franceâs first impression. Disability is humbling. He needed to move through adversity to become the great leader he became. She was a key player in his administration, yet I have only come to know of her role in it in the past few years. History told in its entirety gives a whole new prospective to what we learned in school.
I thought it interesting that Perkins had to learn how to approach the men in the administration, but they all but FDR disregarded her opinions and ideas. I wonder what sheâd think about Social Security being the âbiggest Ponzi scheme of al timeâ !
Sad commentary about SS as we all know itâs not a Ponzi scheme.