Master of his fate Roosevelt's rise from polio to the presidency

Rewriting The Man He Became: How FDR Defied Polio to Win the Presidency (2013) for a (somewhat) younger audience, Tobin keeps his theme--that the struggle to battle back from polio contracted in 1921 shaped much of FDR's indomitable character--but trims off some of the weight of detail and documentation to make his points more succinctly. What remains are exacting descriptions of the disease's effects on nerves and muscles, and of the exercises, often excruciating, prescribed by specialists at a time when there was no vaccine and the science of physical therapy was in its infancy. Countering the widely held later belief that FDR carefully engineered a "splendid deception" that he wasn't seriously "crippled" (a word that the author uses frequently to reflect contemporary attitudes), Tobin asserts that preconceived notions about disability itself were the only deception, and that Roosevelt remains an inspiring example of sheer perseverance. An album of 30 photos carries Roosevelt from childhood to 1943 (and offers a partial view of his memorial); the narrative ends with his first term win in 1932.

Gr 5--8--This biography focuses on the years of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's life from the time he contracted polio in 1921 to when he was inaugurated in 1933. His early life is briefly summarized. When discussing people with disabilities, Tobin notes when he is using words that readers will find offensive now and why he is doing so. Tobin also examines society's changing views of disability and how Roosevelt helped impact these shifts in cultural thought. There are details about the controversy surrounding the portrayal of Roosevelt without crutches or a wheelchair in his monument erected in the 1990s. Pages of photographs, an index, and source notes are included. The writing level could be challenging for some readers, and the tone occasionally veers toward the didactic. Only a few times does the text feature a broader outlook on people with disabilities during the 1930s; it usually stays tightly focused on Roosevelt and acknowledges the unique power and privileges his position and wealth provided. While this book would not work as an overarching look at FDR's life, nor should it be the first choice for a biographical portrait of the former president, it would work well for a student who wants to learn about polio and the experiences of people with disabilities. VERDICT A solid biography for older readers focusing on the specific years of FDR's life that included his struggles with polio, recovery, and learning to live as a person with a disability in a world where those differences usually meant being hidden away.--Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage P.L., AK

Biographer Tobin examines how polio shaped Franklin Delano Roosevelt's path to the United States presidency. In 1921, at the age of 39, the always active Roosevelt suffered mysterious pains, weakness, and paralysis in his legs. After some investigation, he was diagnosed with poliomyelitis, which threatened his political career as well as his body. Polio, thoroughly and accessibly explained, grounds this biography. Chronicling Roosevelt's recovery as well as his campaigns--for governor of New York in 1928 and 1930 and finally for president in 1932--the author details the intricate physical and political maneuvering Roosevelt's disability required. Sympathetically and sensitively, he reveals that Roosevelt's obsession with walking unaided and appearing nondisabled stemmed less from vanity than desperation. Accounts of pitying and skeptical bystanders and rumor-spreading political rivals illustrate the fact that prejudice, as much as paralysis, jeopardized his career. Though the author emphasizes Roosevelt's determination and optimism, he doesn't ignore their drawbacks; occasionally, Roosevelt's stubbornness undid his progress, and his intense focus on politics and walking left his children lonely and stifled his wife's own ambitions. Nor does Tobin glorify "overcoming" disability; only by working with his limitations could Roosevelt finally move forward. An epilogue details the debate surrounding a statue of Roosevelt in his wheelchair and summarizes Roosevelt's presidency until his death in 1945. A nuanced, engaging, and thought-provoking blend of biography and disability history. (source notes, index) (Biography. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.