Alter, Jonathan. The defining moment; FDR's hundred days and the triumph of hope.

ALTER, Jonathan. The defining moment; FDR's hundred days and the triumph of hope. Read by Grover Gardner. 10 cds. 12.5 hrs. Audio Partners. 2006. 1-57270-553-1. $39.95. Cardboard; content, author, reader notes. SA

In the early 1930s, when America was deep in the throes of one of the worst economic depressions in this country's history, some American leaders seemed willing to put the idea of representative democracy on hold until the economic disaster had been overcome. After all, Mussolini and his Fascist Party in Italy had been in power for ten years and Italy was recovering well. In the US, unemployment was rampant, banks were failing, businesses were closing, and farm foreclosures were widespread. In 1932 American voters elected Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This tells the story of FDR's first 100 days in office and how he held the country together without resorting to dictatorial powers that would have ignored this country's representative democracy. FDR maintained the Constitutional framework as he handled the bank crisis, the farm problem, and the stock market--and America began to recover. Award-winning narrator Gardner's dramatic unvoiced performance is outstanding; he excels in providing a clear picture of "the 100 days." Excellent. Prof. John E. Boyd, Jenkintown, PA

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.