Paul M. Sparrow

BOOK INFO:

Franklin Roosevelt awoke at 2:50 a.m. on September 1, 1939 to the news that Germany had invaded Poland, signaling the start of World War II. The president had warned for years that Hitler’s fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy, but the American public remained stubbornly isolationist as fascist sympathizing groups, egged on by right wing media stars promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, plotted to overthrow the president.

The situation was dire, and Roosevelt quickly found himself facing an unexpected adversary: Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator’s youthful charm, plainspoken rhetoric, and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he led an aggressive attack on FDR’s policies. Millions listened to Linberg’s radio broadcasts and attended his rallies. Powerful individuals including William Randolph Hearst, Henry Ford, and members of Congress supported him. The German government provided secret funds to Lindbergh’s Nazi followers as he led the radical America First Committee in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from aiding England’s survival—and the world’s.

Awakening the Spirit of America brilliantly shows how Roosevelt overcame the forces aligned against him in a war against fascism. Paul Sparrow, former director of the FDR Presidential Library, reveals how FDR’s triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. Roosevelt’s astute political maneuvers and persuasive use of language to preserve what he termed “the spirit of America” changed history and can still inspire today. Sparrow brings readers into the rooms where key decisions were made, focusing on the crucial role words, media, and propaganda played in the transformation of America into the protector of the free world. Awakening the Spirit of America provides a riveting, inside account of FDR’s ultimate victory over pro-Nazi isolationists and provides vital insight into American history and an iconic president.

BIO:

Paul Sparrow is a writer, public speaker, historical consultant and former Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. During his time as the director he oversaw exhibits on Pearl Harbor, Japanese Incarceration, and D-Day. His book “Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR’s War of Words with Charles Lindbergh and the Battle to Save Democracy” has received rave reviews; “Highly recommended” Douglas Brinkley; “A riveting debut history” Publishers Weekly; “Wonderfully written” Kirkus Reviews.

Before moving to the FDR Presidential Library he was the Deputy Director and Senior Vice President of the Newseum, an interactive museum on the history of journalism, in Washington, D.C. His duties included curating several galleries, education, programs, and all digital media. Sparrow began his career as a video editor at KPIX, the CBS affiliate in San Francisco. He became an Emmy-Award winning television producer working with Discovery, TLC, Fox and PBS.

Sparrow graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in music composition, and earned a Masters in Electronic Music and the Recording Media from the Center for Contemporary Music at Mills College.

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Paul M. Sparrow

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