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

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, Kathryn, 1956- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

LeHand, Marguerite, 1896-1944.

LeHand, Marguerite.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945--Friends and associates.

Roosevelt, Franklin D.

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945.

Presidents--United States--Staff--Biography.

Presidents.

Private secretaries.

Friends and associates.

United States.

Private secretaries--United States--Biography.

United States--Politics and government--1933-1945.

Politics and government.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

341 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York ; London : Touchstone, [2016]

Summary:

"The first biography of arguably the most influential member of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration, Marguerite 'Missy' LeHand, FDR's de facto chief of staff, who has been misrepresented, mischaracterized, and overlooked throughout history...until now"-- Provided by publisher.

"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.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 315-327) and index.

ISBN:

9781501114960

1501114964

9781501114977

1501114972

OCLC:

951465343