A Shadow Over the World
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Rise of Fascism, and the Making of America's World War II
Named a New Yorker "Best Book of 2026 So Far."
How did Americans respond to the rise of fascism in the 1920s and 1930s? The usual explanation is that they turned away from events overseas and buried their heads in the sand. Not so, says New York Times best-selling author William Hitchcock. In fact, millions of Americans, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, grew increasingly alarmed by the rise of authoritarian governments in the world and mobilized to oppose them.
What is Fascism? An ultra-nationalist right-wing ideology that promises to rebuild the nation using violence, war, and a one-party state. Read about 12 key characteristics of Fascism here.
"Hitchcock’s capacious view of FDR’s foreign policy eschews hagiography in favor of complexity. The result is an intriguing portrait of Roosevelt as a flawed world leader struggling to catch up with the times."
Publishers Weekly
"[This] story... has never been told so thoroughly, so compellingly, with as much insight, balance, and clarity as in this magisterial work... the kind of definitive account that only a great historian at the top of his game could write."
Dr. Eliot A. Cohen
"Hitchcock has discovered much that is new about one of the most consequential figures in American history… This is a brilliantly researched and superbly written authoritative account."
Dr. Alexandra Richie
“Compelling”
Jon Meacham
“A Tour de Force”
Charles Kupchan
“Gripping”
Kirkus Reviews
“An Extraordinary Achievement”
Richard Frank
“Capacious”
Publishers Weekly
“Superb”
Max Boot
“Monumental”
Alexandra Richie
“Definitive”
Eliot Cohen