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Author Smith, Kathryn, 1956- author.

Title The gatekeeper : Missy LeHand, FDR, and the untold story of the partnership that defined a presidency / Kathryn Smith.

Publication Info. New York ; London : Touchstone, [2016]

Copies

Location Call No. OPAC Message Status
 Axe Special Collections Rosen  973.917 L527Bs 2016    ---  Lib Use Only
Description 341 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
text txt rdacontent
unmediated n rdamedia
volume nc rdacarrier
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 315-327) and index.
Summary "Journalist Smith (A Necessary War) grants readers an unusual insider's view of F.D.R.'s political career by profiling his longtime private secretary. Marguerite 'Missy' LeHand, a young woman with a modest background, an agile intellect, a pleasant personality, and remarkable stenographer's skills, began working for F.D.R. in 1920, when he ran for vice president. Smith writes particularly well about F.D.R.'s struggle to bounce back from being struck with polio in 1921, explaining the disease and the origins of the Warm Springs, Ga., health spa that he frequented. LeHand was F.D.R.'s most constant companion during the 1920s, sparking rumors--convincingly dismissed by Smith--that they were lovers. The real core of the story is the White House years from 1933 until 1942, when LeHand helped create the vast New Deal bureaucracy. She decided who would see the president and when; today her title would be chief of staff. LeHand worked long hours but took time to enjoy the perks of the job, including a barrage of social invitations and fawning press coverage. Though Smith overstates her claim about LeHand's importance to F.D.R. and his work as president, she delivers a fascinating account of one woman's involvement in an important administration"--Publishersweekly.com.
Contents Prologue: The Daring Flight to Chicago -- When Missy Was Marguerite -- Scion of the Hudson Valley Roosevelts -- The Cuff-Links Gang -- Adrift -- Warm Springs -- Don't You Dare -- The Governor's Girl Friday -- Running for President -- Nothing to Fear -- Queen of the White House Staff -- The Ambassador to Russia -- Woman of Influence -- Mixing Work and Play -- Polio Redux -- Hubris and Hell -- Missy Knows -- War -- Bitter Victory -- Disaster -- The Exiled Queen -- Going Home -- Epilogue.
Subject LeHand, Marguerite, 1896-1944.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945 -- Friends and associates.
LeHand, Marguerite, 1896-1944. (OCoLC)fst01941806
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. (OCoLC)fst00032031
LeHand, Marguerite, 1896-1944.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945 -- Friends and associates.
Presidents -- United States -- Staff -- Biography.
Private secretaries -- United States -- Biography.
United States -- Politics and government -- 1933-1945.
Friendship. (OCoLC)fst00935174
Politics and government. (OCoLC)fst01919741
Presidents -- Staff. (OCoLC)fst01075812
Private secretaries. (OCoLC)fst01077602
United States. (OCoLC)fst01204155
Presidents -- United States -- Staff -- Biography.
Secretaries -- United States -- Biography.
Chronological Term 1933-1945
Genre/Form Biographies. (OCoLC)fst01919896
Biography. (OCoLC)fst01423686
Biographies.
Biographies.
ISBN 9781501114960 (hardback)
1501114964 (hardback)
9781501114977 (paperback)
1501114972 (paperback)
9781501114984
Standard No. 40026578722

 
    
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