Excerpt
Introduction
Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a name that felt as big as his impact on the world. Most people called him FDR, and he was more than just a president—he was a leader who guided the United States through some of its hardest times. But before he became the only president elected four times, before the New Deal, before World War II, he was just a boy growing up in New York, learning about the world in a way that would shape the rest of his life.
FDR was born on January 30, 1882, in a big house in Hyde Park, New York. He wasn’t like most kids. His family was rich, which meant he had privileges that many children didn’t. He had tutors instead of going to a regular school. He traveled to Europe with his parents. He learned to speak French and German, and he spent summers sailing on the Hudson River. He had everything he could want—but that didn’t mean his life was easy.
One of the most important people in his life was his mother, Sara Roosevelt. She adored Franklin and made sure he had the best education possible. Some people thought she spoiled him, but she also taught him the importance of kindness and responsibility. His father, James Roosevelt, was much older and often sick, but he was the one who introduced Franklin to politics. He would take him to see powerful leaders and talk about the importance of public service. Franklin paid attention.
Even though his family had money, FDR wasn’t lazy. He worked hard in school and wanted to be successful. He went to Harvard University, where he was confident, outgoing, and well-liked. He wasn’t the best student, but he made friends easily. That would become one of his greatest strengths—he could connect with people from all walks of life, even if he didn’t share their experiences. He didn’t have to go through the struggles of an average American family to care about them. He understood that being a leader wasn’t just about knowing things, it was about listening, understanding, and helping.
There was another Roosevelt that everyone knew at the time—his distant cousin, Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore was larger than life, charging up hills in battle, speaking in a booming voice, and leading the country with energy and excitement. Franklin admired him. He wanted to be like him. When he finished school, he decided to follow in Theodore’s footsteps by entering politics.
That didn’t mean everything went smoothly. Early in his career, some people thought he was too young or inexperienced to make a difference. He ran for a seat in the New York State Senate, and many believed he had no chance of winning. They underestimated him. He traveled all over the district, meeting farmers and factory workers, shaking hands, and listening to their problems. He won, proving he was more than just a rich man’s son—he was serious about making life better for others.
As he moved up in politics, he became even more determined to help people. He believed the government should play a role in protecting everyday Americans, making sure they had jobs, fair wages, and a better future. He wasn’t just talking about it—he was taking action.
Then came a moment that could have ended his political career forever. In 1921, when he was 39 years old, he became very sick. His legs felt weak. He was exhausted. At first, he thought it would pass, but it got worse. Doctors soon discovered he had polio, a disease that left him unable to walk.
Everything changed. For someone who had always been active—swimming, sailing, hiking—losing the ability to move freely was devastating. People whispered that he would never return to politics. Some even said he should give up.
He refused.
Instead of disappearing, he fought harder than ever. He spent years in physical therapy, training his body to stay as strong as possible. He found a place in Warm Springs, Georgia, where warm water helped his aching legs. He even bought the place and turned it into a center for others struggling with the same illness. He never regained full use of his legs, but he learned how to stand with braces and use a wheelchair when needed. More importantly, he learned something else: what it meant to struggle, to face hardships, and to keep going even when things felt impossible.
That experience changed him. Before polio, he was determined. After polio, he was unstoppable.
By the time he ran for president in 1932, the country was in trouble. The Great Depression had left millions of people unemployed, hungry, and scared. Banks were closing. Families were losing their homes. People felt hopeless. FDR wasn’t just another politician—he was someone who had personally overcome something people thought was impossible. He knew what it was like to struggle, and that made him the leader America needed.
During his first speech as president, he stood before the nation and told them something that would be remembered forever: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In that moment, he wasn’t just a politician—he was a voice of hope.
And that was only the beginning.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a name that felt as big as his impact on the world. Most people called him FDR, and he was more than just a president—he was a leader who guided the United States through some of its hardest times. But before he became the only president elected four times, before the New Deal, before World War II, he was just a boy growing up in New York, learning about the world in a way that would shape the rest of his life.
FDR was born on January 30, 1882, in a big house in Hyde Park, New York. He wasn’t like most kids. His family was rich, which meant he had privileges that many children didn’t. He had tutors instead of going to a regular school. He traveled to Europe with his parents. He learned to speak French and German, and he spent summers sailing on the Hudson River. He had everything he could want—but that didn’t mean his life was easy.
One of the most important people in his life was his mother, Sara Roosevelt. She adored Franklin and made sure he had the best education possible. Some people thought she spoiled him, but she also taught him the importance of kindness and responsibility. His father, James Roosevelt, was much older and often sick, but he was the one who introduced Franklin to politics. He would take him to see powerful leaders and talk about the importance of public service. Franklin paid attention.
Even though his family had money, FDR wasn’t lazy. He worked hard in school and wanted to be successful. He went to Harvard University, where he was confident, outgoing, and well-liked. He wasn’t the best student, but he made friends easily. That would become one of his greatest strengths—he could connect with people from all walks of life, even if he didn’t share their experiences. He didn’t have to go through the struggles of an average American family to care about them. He understood that being a leader wasn’t just about knowing things, it was about listening, understanding, and helping.
There was another Roosevelt that everyone knew at the time—his distant cousin, Theodore Roosevelt. Theodore was larger than life, charging up hills in battle, speaking in a booming voice, and leading the country with energy and excitement. Franklin admired him. He wanted to be like him. When he finished school, he decided to follow in Theodore’s footsteps by entering politics.
That didn’t mean everything went smoothly. Early in his career, some people thought he was too young or inexperienced to make a difference. He ran for a seat in the New York State Senate, and many believed he had no chance of winning. They underestimated him. He traveled all over the district, meeting farmers and factory workers, shaking hands, and listening to their problems. He won, proving he was more than just a rich man’s son—he was serious about making life better for others.
As he moved up in politics, he became even more determined to help people. He believed the government should play a role in protecting everyday Americans, making sure they had jobs, fair wages, and a better future. He wasn’t just talking about it—he was taking action.
Then came a moment that could have ended his political career forever. In 1921, when he was 39 years old, he became very sick. His legs felt weak. He was exhausted. At first, he thought it would pass, but it got worse. Doctors soon discovered he had polio, a disease that left him unable to walk.
Everything changed. For someone who had always been active—swimming, sailing, hiking—losing the ability to move freely was devastating. People whispered that he would never return to politics. Some even said he should give up.
He refused.
Instead of disappearing, he fought harder than ever. He spent years in physical therapy, training his body to stay as strong as possible. He found a place in Warm Springs, Georgia, where warm water helped his aching legs. He even bought the place and turned it into a center for others struggling with the same illness. He never regained full use of his legs, but he learned how to stand with braces and use a wheelchair when needed. More importantly, he learned something else: what it meant to struggle, to face hardships, and to keep going even when things felt impossible.
That experience changed him. Before polio, he was determined. After polio, he was unstoppable.
By the time he ran for president in 1932, the country was in trouble. The Great Depression had left millions of people unemployed, hungry, and scared. Banks were closing. Families were losing their homes. People felt hopeless. FDR wasn’t just another politician—he was someone who had personally overcome something people thought was impossible. He knew what it was like to struggle, and that made him the leader America needed.
During his first speech as president, he stood before the nation and told them something that would be remembered forever: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In that moment, he wasn’t just a politician—he was a voice of hope.
And that was only the beginning.