Amity Shlaes wrote a book that defies the long standing honor given to Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) for his handling of the Great Depression, and his attack on the private sector. As she puts it, the Great Depression became great because of inept government action, by both Herbert Hoover and Roosevelt. It is an interesting read, if not the least for building a case aganist--as mentioned before--the iconicism that surrounds the presidency and its accolades.
There are so many things that go into an economy, I believe pudits put a lot of emphasis is put on policy and politician, in regards to the economy. It's like the political system is a super computer. If the politicians push the right buttons, they will be able to solve everything: consumer confidence, unemployment, etc...
But, I want to really examine this book by Shales. I have long believed, as many do, that FDR was an exceptional president, who created a stable economic system that brought prosperity for forth some odd years. I have a feeling that it's not as simple as that. Shale's book may help understand what happened, but I also get the feeling that whatever direction she takes it (free market ideals) it may be fraught with it's own fallible ideology.
