From Publishers Weekly
This melodramatically subtitled footnote to history by Swift, a longtime writer on royal history for Majesty magazine, focuses on the brief visits, in the summer of 1939, by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Washington, D.C., and Hyde Park. Foreign visits by heads of state are carefully choreographed. This one was especially so, as the president was wheelchair-bound and the king, more withdrawn than his outgoing queen, was a stammerer and still new to his role as sovereign. On both sides of the Atlantic, the abdication of Edward VIII to marry a twice-divorced American was still deplored. The colorless George VI was on probation. Massive press hype—as well as diplomatic reticence—made the brief visits, which also included a stop at the New York World's Fair, a success. King George was still colorless, but few noticed, and his royal style during the war beginning that September was sufficiently self-effacing and quietly steadfast to erase concerns about his authority on the throne. Even stretched with asides, though, the royal progress encompasses only 47 pages. The rest— following the protagonists from the 1880s to the 1950s—is padding. A passionate collector of royal memorabilia, Swift has packaged a book for collectors of royal memorabilia. 44 b&w illus. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist
Psychologist Swift is an American royal-watcher and contributor to niche publications devoted to monarchical celebrities. Here he assembles meetings that in various permutations occurred among Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, Britain's King George VI and consort Queen Elizabeth, and ancillary members of the four principals' siblings and progeny. He covers a century of chronology, beginning with the youthful Franklin's encounters with British blue bloods and ending with a 2002 trip by Prince Andrew to Roosevelt's Hyde Park home. Prince Andrew went there to commemorate the central event of Swift's compendium, George VI's 1939 visit to the U.S., the public relations highlight of which was Their Majesties' (as Swift loyally denominates his subjects) plebeian consumption of hot dogs. Swift's rendition of that trip captures all details of protocol, whether trumpeted in the press at the time or committed to a diary, and characterizes his presentation of subsequent royal-Roosevelt meet-ups during World War II and afterward. Historical minutiae much of it may be, but Swift's work strikes an undeniably popular chord of interest. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Review
Comparative politics involving Great Britain and the United States during the 20th century forms the background for this book, which traces the lives of two couples, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.  British amateur historian Swift elucidates the monarchical aspect of World War II, which is typical slighted; accounts tend to focus on the American presidency and the British prime ministership. Swift starts with George VI’s visit to the United States shortly before the outbreak – a first for a British monarch. The climax of the four-day visit was on June 11, when the Roosevelts served the king and queen hot dogs at Hyde Park in what became the most famous picnic in U. S. history, symbolizing the two nations’ new democratic bond. The book covers the entire lives of its subjects and presents FDR and the queen as natural politicians from whom their spouses had to learn. Although the subtitle is pure hype, this realistic book will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts. Recommended for public and academic libraries. – William D. Pederson, Louisiana  State Univ., Shreveport (Library Journal, July 2004)

“…well written, meticulously detailed…a very fine book…” (Royalty Digest, September 2004)

"Realistic...will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts. Recommended." (Revised Library Journal excerpt for Will Swift's The Roosevelts and the Royals)

"Delicious...engaging...convincing...covers a wide swath of history....you will want to keep reading until it is all gone." (Albany Times Union)


Review
"...this realistic book will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts." (Library Journal, July 2004)

“…well written, meticulously detailed…a very fine book…” (Royalty Digest, September 2004)

"Realistic...will appeal to those interested in the history of World War II, the British monarchy, and the Roosevelts. Recommended." (Revised Library Journal excerpt for Will Swift's The Roosevelts and the Royals)

"Delicious...engaging...convincing...covers a wide swath of history....you will want to keep reading until it is all gone." (Albany Times Union)


Review
"A fascinating and well-researched study of the relationship between the American presidential family and the Windsors that was a key component of Anglo-American friendship during World War II. Dr. Swift is the first to concentrate on this unusual subject with such a wealth of sympathetic detail."
—Sarah Bradford, author of America's Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth: A Biography of Britains Queen, and The Reluctant King: The Life and Reign of George VI, 1895-1952

"The Anglo-American alliance has long been a bedrock of the global order, and Will Swift's The Roosevelts and the Royals details an important chapter in that fascinating story with warmth and verve."
—Jon Meacham, author of Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship

"Those who remember only that the Roosevelts served hot dogs to the royals will be fascinated by this well-researched account of an historic and ennobling relationship—a great story!"
—James MacGregor Burns, author of The Three Roosevelts: Patrician Leaders Who Transformed America and Roosevelt: Soldier of Freedom

"This widely researched book is not only eminently readable but also historically illuminating. Written in fluid and lucid prose, it explores the contrasting personalities of the four main protagonists with skill and insight. It is both convincing and refreshingly candid."
—Brian Roberts, author of Randolph: A Study of Churchill's Son, Cecil Rhodes and the Princess, and Churchills in Africa

"A gripping account of four very different lives that were woven together to change the world in wartime."
—Hugo Vickers, author of Cecil Beaton and Alice: Princess Andrew of Greece

"The Roosevelts and the Royals brings to life four people whose public and personal relationships were nurtured through difficult times and strengthened the bonds between our two countries. I found myself reliving the times I shared with my grandmother and her royal friends. A wonderful story that is particularly relevant as the United States redefines its relationship with Europe."
—Nina Roosevelt Gibson, Ph.D., psychologist and granddaughter of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt


Book Description
Advance Praise

"Fascinating and well researched.... Dr. Swift is the first to concentrate on this unusual subject with such a wealth of sympathetic detail."
–Sarah Bradford, author of America’s Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth: A Biography of Britain’s Queen, and The Reluctant King: The Life and Reign of George VI, 1895—1952

"A splendid addition to our understanding of an extraordinary Anglo-American partnership. Both intimate and expansive, Will Swift’s vigorously researched book is timely, illuminating, and dramatic."
–Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol. 1: 1884-1933 and Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol. 2: The Defining Years, 1933-1938

"The Anglo-American alliance has long been a bedrock of the global order, and Will Swift’s The Roosevelts and the Royals details an important chapter in that fascinating story with warmth and verve."
–Jon Meacham, author of Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship

"Those who remember only that the Roosevelts served hot dogs to the royals will be fascinated by this well-researched account of an historic and ennobling relationship–a great story!"
–James MacGregor Burns, author of The Three Roosevelts: Patrician Leaders Who Transformed America and Roosevelt: Soldier of Freedom

"A gripping account of four very different lives that were woven together to change the world in wartime."
–Hugo Vickers, author of Cecil Beaton and Alice: Princess Andrew of Greece

"Written in fluid and lucid prose, this book is not only eminently readable but also historically illuminating. It explores the contrasting personalities of the four main protagonists with skill and insight and it is both convincing and refreshingly candid."
–Brian Roberts, author of Randolph: A Study of Churchill’s Son and Cecil Rhodes and the Princess

"This book brings to life my grandmother and her royal friends. Reading it, I found myself reliving the times I shared with them. A wonderful story."
–Nina Roosevelt Gibson, Ph.D., psychologist and granddaughter of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt


From the Inside Flap
In June 1939, three months before the outbreak of World War II, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain paid a visit to the United States–the first time a British monarch had ever set foot on U.S. soil. At the time, many Americans had deeply ingrained hostilities toward England and American isolationists were opposed to helping Britain fight the Nazis. Their Majesties’ hosts were Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, who honored them with a state dinner in Washington and an intimate sojourn at the Roosevelt estate in Hyde Park, New York, where the king and queen were served hot dogs at a famous picnic. The headline in the next day’s New York Times eloquently summarized: "King Eats Hot Dog, Asks for More." For the first time, The Roosevelts and the Royals tells the true story of the friendship that developed between the two couples–and nations. It was a friendship that would transform the Roosevelts’ and Windsors’ lives in ways none of them could have anticipated. For many, this event finally marked the symbolic end of the American Revolution and the true beginning of the crucial Anglo-American alliance that continues to this day. Written by leading royal historian Will Swift, The Roosevelts and the Royals is based on original source materials, including letters and diary entries–many of which are reproduced here–as well as interviews with numerous family members and original comments from the Queen Mother. Telling the story of the Roosevelt and Windsor dynasties from the 1880s all the way up to a royal visit to Hyde Park in 2002, the book traces in riveting detail the early years and development of all four colorful and complex main characters, portraying their rise to power in their respective nations and showing how the two couples’ friendship evolved and grew stronger through the challenges of wartime and beyond. The author takes us behind the scenes to provide a uniquely intimate account of the shared struggles, private disappointments, public triumphs, and personal idiosyncrasies of the Roosevelts and the royals. We learn of the strong impact King George VI’s 1939 meeting with FDR had on the reluctant monarch and how it emboldened him to be the leader his subjects needed during their darkest hour. We discover how Eleanor and the queen supported each other at vulnerable moments in their lives and how Eleanor’s deepening relationship with the royal family heartened her as she became one of the world’s greatest humanitarians. We also see how the American people played a key role in bolstering the newly widowed Queen Mother’s confidence as a beloved royal ambassador to the world. Filled with extraordinary anecdotes and insights into the lives and characters of two of the twentieth century’s most influential couples, and illustrated with rare and revealing photographs, The Roosevelts and the Royals is a masterful account of a pivotal chapter in history.


From the Back Cover
Advance Praise

"Fascinating and well researched.... Dr. Swift is the first to concentrate on this unusual subject with such a wealth of sympathetic detail."
–Sarah Bradford, author of America’s Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth: A Biography of Britain’s Queen, and The Reluctant King: The Life and Reign of George VI, 1895—1952

"A splendid addition to our understanding of an extraordinary Anglo-American partnership. Both intimate and expansive, Will Swift’s vigorously researched book is timely, illuminating, and dramatic."
–Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol. 1: 1884-1933 and Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol. 2: The Defining Years, 1933-1938

"The Anglo-American alliance has long been a bedrock of the global order, and Will Swift’s The Roosevelts and the Royals details an important chapter in that fascinating story with warmth and verve."
–Jon Meacham, author of Franklin and Winston: An Intimate Portrait of an Epic Friendship

"Those who remember only that the Roosevelts served hot dogs to the royals will be fascinated by this well-researched account of an historic and ennobling relationship–a great story!"
–James MacGregor Burns, author of The Three Roosevelts: Patrician Leaders Who Transformed America and Roosevelt: Soldier of Freedom

"A gripping account of four very different lives that were woven together to change the world in wartime."
–Hugo Vickers, author of Cecil Beaton and Alice: Princess Andrew of Greece

"Written in fluid and lucid prose, this book is not only eminently readable but also historically illuminating. It explores the contrasting personalities of the four main protagonists with skill and insight and it is both convincing and refreshingly candid."
–Brian Roberts, author of Randolph: A Study of Churchill’s Son and Cecil Rhodes and the Princess

"This book brings to life my grandmother and her royal friends. Reading it, I found myself reliving the times I shared with them. A wonderful story."
–Nina Roosevelt Gibson, Ph.D., psychologist and granddaughter of Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt


About the Author
WILL SWIFT, Ph.D., writes on American leaders and British royalty of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He is also a practicing clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive and marital therapy. Swift founded the Royalty Bookshop in Manhattan and the royal history and collecting journal Sceptre, and he has curated several major exhibitions on royal history, including one celebrating the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday in 2000. Swift lives in Manhattan and in the historic Nathan Wild House, once visited by FDR, in Valatie, New York. His Web site is www.willswift.com.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

For the first time, The Roosevelts and the Royals tells the true story of the friendship that developed between the two couples -- and nations. It was a friendship that would transform the Roosevelts' and Windsors' lives in ways none of them could have anticipated. For many, this event finally marked the symbolic end of the American Revolution and the true beginning of the crucial Anglo-American alliance that continues to this day.

SYNOPSIS

In June 1939, three months before the outbreak of World War II, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain paid a visit to the United States—the first time a British monarch had ever set foot on U.S. soil. At the time, many Americans had deeply ingrained hostilities toward England and American isolationists were opposed to helping Britain fight the Nazis. Their Majesties’ hosts were Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, who honored them with a state dinner in Washington and an intimate sojourn at the Roosevelt estate in Hyde Park, New York, where the king and queen were served hot dogs at a famous picnic. The headline in the next day’s New York Times eloquently summarized: "King Eats Hot Dog, Asks for More."

For the first time, The Roosevelts and the Royals tells the true story of the friendship that developed between the two couples—and nations. It was a friendship that would transform the Roosevelts’ and Windsors’ lives in ways none of them could have anticipated. For many, this event finally marked the symbolic end of the American Revolution and the true beginning of the crucial Anglo-American alliance that continues to this day.

Written by leading royal historian Will Swift, The Roosevelts and the Royals is based on original source materials, including letters and diary entries—many of which are reproduced here—as well as interviews with numerous family members and original comments from the Queen Mother. Telling the story of the Roosevelt and Windsor dynasties from the 1880s all the way up to a royal visit to Hyde Park in 2002, the book traces in riveting detail the early years and development of all four colorful andcomplex main characters, portraying their rise to power in their respective nations and showing how the two couples’ friendship evolved and grew stronger through the challenges of wartime and beyond.

The author takes us behind the scenes to provide a uniquely intimate account of the shared struggles, private disappointments, public triumphs, and personal idiosyncrasies of the Roosevelts and the royals. We learn of the strong impact King George VI’s 1939 meeting with FDR had on the reluctant monarch and how it emboldened him to be the leader his subjects needed during their darkest hour. We discover how Eleanor and the queen supported each other at vulnerable moments in their lives and how Eleanor’s deepening relationship with the royal family heartened her as she became one of the world’s greatest humanitarians. We also see how the American people played a key role in bolstering the newly widowed Queen Mother’s confidence as a beloved royal ambassador to the world.

Filled with extraordinary anecdotes and insights into the lives and characters of two of the twentieth century’s most influential couples, and illustrated with rare and revealing photographs, The Roosevelts and the Royals is a masterful account of a pivotal chapter in history.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

This melodramatically subtitled footnote to history by Swift, a longtime writer on royal history for Majesty magazine, focuses on the brief visits, in the summer of 1939, by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Washington, D.C., and Hyde Park. Foreign visits by heads of state are carefully choreographed. This one was especially so, as the president was wheelchair-bound and the king, more withdrawn than his outgoing queen, was a stammerer and still new to his role as sovereign. On both sides of the Atlantic, the abdication of Edward VIII to marry a twice-divorced American was still deplored. The colorless George VI was on probation. Massive press hype-as well as diplomatic reticence-made the brief visits, which also included a stop at the New York World's Fair, a success. King George was still colorless, but few noticed, and his royal style during the war beginning that September was sufficiently self-effacing and quietly steadfast to erase concerns about his authority on the throne. Even stretched with asides, though, the royal progress encompasses only 47 pages. The rest- following the protagonists from the 1880s to the 1950s-is padding. A passionate collector of royal memorabilia, Swift has packaged a book for collectors of royal memorabilia. 44 b&w illus. (July 2) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal