This groundbreaking work tells the true story behind Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1936 reelection, drawing upon never-before-published personal files to expose a nexus of patronage and power that changed America forever.

FDR’s 1936 reelection represented his greatest political triumph. Yet the election remains largely unstudied despite the fact that critical decisions by some of the most colorful-and controversial-characters in American history make it one of the most significant ever to take place. This landmark work, the first specifically about the 1936 election, highlights the key debates, events, and personalities that epitomized the conflicted, highly charged politics of the New Deal era.

In telling its gripping tale, the book discloses the secret history of Roosevelt’s New Deal. It uncovers the hidden roles that money, patronage, and power played in the campaign of 1936, underscoring the transition from the old-school politics of stump-speaking and glad-handing to a new world of professionalism marked by scientific polling, targeted advertising, and direct media. The book offers a new perspective on this critical period in American history through its use of previously unpublished private correspondence and internal memos from key players in the Roosevelt administration as well as from GOP chairman John Hamilton. These archival sources detail the nuts and bolts of running a presidential campaign during the Great Depression and reveal how money was manipulated to buy votes. Exposing the true story behind the making of modern America, the book is a must-read for anyone interested in FDR, U.S. history, politics, or the presidency.

Presents the first published study dedicated explicitly to the presidential election of 1936

Incorporates never-before-made-public primary archival research from Roosevelt’s own files (including his communication with such notorious big-city bosses as Frank Hague); from the files of his political fixer, Democratic Party Chairman James A. Farley; and from the files of GOP Chairman John Hamilton

Reveals the working relationship between Roosevelt and his key lieutenants, shedding new light on the administration of one of America’s greatest presidents

Exposes the role played by Farley in channeling New Deal money to shape partisan political outcomes by paying off debts, delivering on promises, rewarding allies, settling factional disputes, expanding party authority, and buying votes

Analyzes key transitions in the evolution of the Republican and Democratic parties that brought them to their current values and ideologies

Includes never previously printed period photographs that add personality to the colorful cast of characters brought to life in the text