As World War II reached its midway point, President Franklin Roosevelt received a dire medical diagnosis, raising urgent questions about the ability of the longest-serving president to stand for a fourth term at a time when he had little choice. As the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Move Your Shadow reveals here, neither FDR's family nor his administration were informed of his diagnosis, let alone the public or his closest ally, Winston Churchill. With precision and compassion, Joseph Lelyveld shines new light on Roosevelt's state of mind, preoccupations, and motives, as he made the difficult decision to run for re-election, and proved himself to be a political grand master still, as he manipulated the selection of a new running mate, Harry Truman.

"Powerful, clear-eyed, and briskly-told, Lelyveld's account of the last months of a 20th century colossus is great history. It's a wonder Franklin Roosevelt was ever able to get out of bed, let alone guide the Allies through the most perilous period the world had ever known. If you think you knew FDR, think again—Joe Lelyveld brings him to fresh life, in all his human dimensions."—Timothy Egan