1932: The Rise of Hitler and FDR-Two Tales of Politics, Betrayal, and Unlikely Destiny

by David Pietrusza Narrated by David Stifel

Overview

Two Depression-battered nations confronted destiny in 1932, going to the polls in their own way to anoint new leaders, to rescue their people from starvation and hopelessness. America would elect a Congress and a president-ebullient aristocrat Franklin Roosevelt or tarnished "Wonder Boy" Herbert Hoover. Decadent, divided Weimar Germany faced two rounds of bloody Reichstag elections and two presidential contests-doddering reactionary Paul von Hindenburg against rising radical hate-monger Adolf Hitler.



The outcome seemed foreordained-unstoppable forces advancing upon crumbled, disoriented societies. A merciless Great Depression brought greater-perhaps hopeful, perhaps deadly-transformation: FDR's New Deal and Hitler's Third Reich.



But neither outcome was inevitable.

Editorial Reviews

Amity Shlaes

1932 represents a rare combination of scholarly rigor and relentless drama. This book ranks right up there with In the Garden of the Beasts and should be a must choice for every book club.

From the Publisher

"David Pietrusza isn't just one of the best historians writing these days, he's one of the best storytellers—and his latest masterpiece, 1932, is another home run." —Matt Lewis, columnist, Daily Beast

New York Times

[In Rothstein], Pietrusza does a terrific job of capturing Rothstein's colorful career and sheds new light on [his] role in fixing the World Series, disputing the standard history.

Kimberly Guilfoyle

David Pietrusza’s1932is history at its page-turning best: original, incisive, evenhanded, and impossible to put down. Great storytelling by a great writer.

David Harsanyi

David Pietrusza’s thrilling narratives not only instill history withthe richness it deserves, but they teem with intimate portraits andstories that make you feel like you’re reading a great novel. 1932 isperhaps his best work yet. Which is saying a lot.

Kirks Reviews

[Starred Review of 1920: The Year of the Six Presidents] A rousing chronicle . . . Pietrusza . . . adds color and dimension with smart discussions of Prohibition, women’s suffrage, immigration, civil rights, the League of Nations and labor strife, and he offers animated portraits.... A hugely fascinating episode in American history, told with insight and great humor, by an author in command of his subject.

New York Times Book Review

[In Rothstein], Pietrusza does a terrific job of capturing Rothstein's colorful career and sheds new light on [his] role in fixing the World Series, disputing the standard history.

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2015-06-04
A bifurcated, lively study of the year that saw the rise of the two most significant political figures of the early 20th century. In previous books, historian Pietrusza has taken on momentous years (1948: Harry Truman's Improbable Victory and the Year that Transformed America, 2011, etc.). In this wonderful new history for lay readers, he tackles two rising political geniuses, one good, one evil, at their moments of election: Roosevelt and Hitler. Two unlikely men of destiny at the cusp of seizing power in 1932 and poised to shape historical events in their respective countries, they were able to overcome enormous obstacles—FDR his polio affliction, Hitler his lack of talent and general status of persona non grata—corral the necessary accomplices, and press forward by sheer and startling forces of will. While FDR and Hitler had little in common growing up—one hailed from the aristocracy and enjoyed every kind of family, school, and professional privilege; the other failed at most everything he tried, even spending time in a homeless men's shelter—both had adoring mothers, leadership abilities, and an ability to stir their followers by marvelous rhetoric. After struggling with his disability since the early 1920s, FDR did not feel ready to run for the governorship of New York in 1928, but his nominating presidential convention speech for Al Smith galvanized the Democratic Party, and Smith begged him to succeed him as governor. While Smith lost abysmally to Herbert Hoover, Roosevelt "squeaked through to a narrow victory" and began his stupendous comeback, convincing the people of his vigorous health as well as the disastrous policies of Hoover. Hitler, having hit rock bottom once his mother died and twice rejected entrance to art school, found his conversion in World War I. As the author astutely notes, war became for Hitler a religion, and he began to cobble together his own lethal, unstoppable political force. A mesmerizing study in contrast and comparison.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170608713
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	04/30/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

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