Books

A book about the story behind the historic meeting between Franklin D Roosevelt and King George VI on the eve of the Second World War, now the subject of a major Hollywood movie, Hyde Park on Hudson, starring Bill Murray as FDR.

Between 9th and 12th June 1939, King George VI of England and his spouse Elizabeth sojourned as guests at Hyde Park, Dutchess County, the New York residence of the US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in what was the first official visit by the British monarchy on American soil since colonial times. Far from being a mere footnote in history, this meeting is imbued with deep political significance, coming at a time when Europe is poised to enter war.

In his new book Peter Conradi – who has already introduced us to the gentle, shy figure of George VI in his number-one bestseller The King’s Speech – recreates the rich tapestry that provides the backdrop to the royals’ visit to America, analysing the political background and the media’s reaction, and delving into the complex personality of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his intricate relationships with the most influential women in his life. The result is a fascinating investigation of a defining moment in recent world history.