The Dying President: Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1944-1945
Presidential historian Ferrell (emeritus, Indiana Univ.; Choosing Truman, LJ 3/15/94) has written a concise account of the last year of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's life. Many historians have speculated about the cause of Roosevelt's death, and rumors have persisted for years that he died of a brain tumor or cancer. Using the latest evidence, Ferrell concludes that Roosevelt died of a cardiovascular disease. He not only explores the theories surrounding FDR's death but posits that FDR knew how serious his health problems were, and he also considers whether the president's illness affected the decisions he made. In this excellent treatment of Roosevelt's last year, Ferrell is able to convey complex situations in easily understood terms. Unlike his book on Harding (The Strange Death of President Harding, Univ. of Missouri, 1997), which left a number of questions unanswered, this work should end some of the controversy surrounding Roosevelt's death.?Richard P. Hedlund, Ashland Community Coll., Ashland, KYCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.