V Is For Victory

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New York Times bestselling historian Craig Nelson explores how FDR engaged an initially disinterested American public to support the war effort in Europe and transformed the nation into "the arsenal of democracy," ultimately leading to victory in World War II. As Nazi Germany advanced through Europe, the U.S. military was ill-prepared, small, and inadequately supplied, while isolationist sentiments ran high, fueled by skepticism about involvement in the conflict. In this compelling and meticulously researched narrative, Nelson details how Franklin D. Roosevelt strategically positioned America for war. He persuaded key industrialists, like Henry Ford Jr., to retool factories, redirected raw materials to support the military, and rallied the American populace to endure hardships, work in wartime industries, and send their sons to fight. Within a few years, American workers produced thousands of aircraft, tanks, and warships. Under FDR's steadfast leadership, the path to victory on land, sea, and air began with efforts at home, revealing a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the war's history. Nelson's authoritative account sheds light on this pivotal transformation, making it an essential addition to American historical literature.