Awakening the Spirit of America: FDR’s War of Words With Charles Lindbergh―and the Battle to Save Democracy

On Thursday, October 10, Clements Center for National Security and UT Department of History with host Paul M. Sparrow, from 12:15–1:30 pm, in RLP 1.302B, Patton Hall.

Paul Sparrow is a writer, public speaker, historical consultant and former Director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. 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 Library he was the Deputy Director of the Newseum in Washington.  Sparrow began his career at KPIX, the CBS affiliate in San Francisco, and became an Emmy-Award winning television producer working with Discovery, TLC, Fox and PBS.  

In his book, he writes about how President Franklin Roosevelt had warned for years that Hitler’s fascist regime posed an existential threat to democracy, but the American public remained stubbornly isolationist. When Germany invaded Poland, Roosevelt found himself facing an unexpected adversary: Charles Lindbergh. Wildly popular, the famed aviator’s youthful charm and media magnetism earned him a massive following as he attacked FDR’s policies. Powerful individuals including William Randolph Hearst, Henry Ford, and members of Congress supported Lindbergh. England soon found itself standing alone against the Nazi war machine. The German government provided secret funds to Nazi sympathizers in an effort to prevent Roosevelt from aiding Winston Churchill as he fought for England’s survival. FDR’s triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion. His astute political maneuvers and persuasive use of language successfully awoke “the spirit of America.” It changed history and can still inspire today.