FDR On His Houseboat: The Larooco Log
“Karen Chase has put together an absolutely fascinating edition of the log describing Franklin Roosevelt’s winter cruises along the Florida coast in 1924-26. Wonderfully illustrated and edited, this is a book that will appeal to historians, FDR aficionados, Floridians, fishermen, and boaters of all kinds. Highly recommended.” — Nathaniel Philbrick
Author of In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
“What a good idea! The little-known record of one of the least-understood periods in the life of Franklin Roosevelt, filled with all the grit and gallantry and good humor with which he faced the disease that would have defeated a less resilient man.”
— Geoffrey C. Ward
Author (with Ken Burns) of The Roosevelts: An Intimate History and A First-Class Temperament: The Emergence of FDR”
“FDR on the Houseboat: The Larooco Log is a wonderfully powerful chronicle of perhaps the most difficult period in FDR’s personal life; the aftermath of the onset of his bout with polio and his enduring struggle to find remedy. In his own words, the Log demonstrates his wit and charm, his embrace of life and friends, his frustrations with his slow progress toward restoration of his legs, and the pain he endures on an almost daily basis. With personal understanding and feeling, Karen Chase has performed a masterful edit of this revealing journal. A fantastic read!” — David Roosevelt
Author of Grandmere: A Personal History of Eleanor Roosevelt, and FDR’s grandson