The Yankee Sphinx: An FDR Novel
The pivotal years of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leadership in World War II as witnessed by Roosevelt’s correspondence secretary in Mark Frost’s gripping The Yankee Sphinx.
In 1935, veteran journalist William Hassett lands a plum job in FDR’s first administration based on his reputation for fair writing; it does not hurt that he already knows Roosevelt from covering him during his pre-presidential years as the assistant secretary of the Navy. Frost relies on the diaries Hassett kept to portray the action within Roosevelt’s intimate inner circle; indeed, as he has Hassett admit in the story, the diaries are not only to leave a historical account of a time of “limitless peril,” but also to “pierce the lifelong veil of secrecy” that FDR drew around himself.
Hassett watches the unfolding marital troubles between Eleanor and Franklin, collaborates with Anna Roosevelt to arrange visits with Franklin and the love of his life, Lucy Mercer, and of course, dutifully aids Roosevelt as he tirelessly leads the country through its fiery crucible. At times, however, the novel reads more like history or biography, except for scenes of dialogue. Despite that, the story is tightly written and Hassett a reliable narrator who does not hide his admiration for FDR.
The Yankee Sphinx is an easy, enjoyable read that fans of WWII history and historical fiction should relish.
