The Fireside Chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The Fireside Chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The Fireside Chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Shortly after taking office in 1933 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered the first of his radio broadcasts to the American public. In simple, plain language, he took pains to explain the basic mechanics of the banking system, the causes of the present banking crisis, and the steps he was taking to stabilize the system. It was an extraordinary moment – the first time an American President had bypassed the traditional channels of communication (newspapers largely owned by conservative Republicans) and taken his message directly to the people. In doing so, he conveyed a sense of intimacy and engagement with the decision-making process that earned the trust and affection of the American people. He was able to squelch rumors and build public support for the most radical social changes and the largest war in the history of the United States. They are an astonishing testimony to what great leadership looks like, sounds like, and what it can accomplish.

There are thirty addresses in all, ranging from about ten to thirty minutes, given at the rate of about one every five months, with the timing dictated by public events. The term “fireside chat” was coined by Harry C. Butcher at CBS in a press release in 1933. Most, but not all, of the original addresses were recorded in part or in full. The sound quality, however, is often quite poor. Thus, these new recordings of the published texts of the original addresses. While it is impossible to capture the cheery, affable charm of President Roosevelt, we hope the readings convey the spirit of the times and the temper of the man.

Play sample: 

Product Details

Read by: D. S. Harvey
Length: 9 hours 47 minutes
Type: Solo reading
Media: MP3 CD
Package: CD jacket
Item No.: CJ-1121
EAN: 0682550992839
List Price: $9.99

Credits


Production
Prooduced by: D. S. Harvey
Proof Listeners: Diana Harvey,Michael Hogan, Nan O'Malley

Artwork

Cover: Franklin D. Roosevelt having a fireside chat in Washington, D.C., April 28 ,1935, Author unknown.
Insert and label: President Franklin D. Roosevelt seated at desk with microphones. Author unknown.

The Recordings

About MP3 Audio

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The Recordings

These recordings were made using the author’s original published work, which is in the public domain. The readings were recorded by members of Librivox.org, which has generously made the recordings available to the public domain. While Librivox condones the sale and distribution of these recordings, it is not associated with the management or operations of MP3 Audiobook Classics. The audio files have been edited and engineered using professional audio tools for maximum sonic quality. We spend considerable time and effort to ensure the recordings are free of noise, equalized for maximum listener pleasure, and that tracks are leveled and normalized to provide a consistent listening experience.

Table of Contents

Track Topic Date Length
01 01 - On the Bank Crisis. March 12, 1933 11:00
02 02 - Outlining the New Deal Program. May 7, 1933 19:01
03 03 - On the Purposes and Foundations of the Recovery Program. July 24, 1933 17:25
04 04 - On the Currency Situation October 22, 1933 16:39
05 05 - Review of the Achievements of the Seventy-third Congress. June 28, 1934 16:37
06 06 - On Moving Forward to Greater Freedom and Greater Security. September 30, 1934 20:10
07 07 - On the Works Relief Program. April 28, 1935 19:19
08 08 - On Drought Conditions. September 6, 1936 21:13
09 09 - On the Reorganization of the Judiciary. March 9, 1937 26:07
10 10 - On Legislation to be Recommended to the Extraordinary Session of the Congress. October 12, 1937 20:20
11 11 - On the Unemployment Census. November 14, 1937 10:24
12 12 - On Economic Conditions. April 14, 1938 29:11
13 13 - On Party Primaries. June 24, 1939 22:28
14 14 - On the European War. September 3, 1939 8:09
15 15 - On National Defense. May 26, 1940 25:07
16 16 - On the ?Arsenal of Democracy?. December 29, 1940 24:52
17 17 - On An Unlimited National Emergency. May 27, 1941 28:36
18 18 - On Maintaining Freedom of the Seas. September 11, 1941 21:18
19 19 - On the Declaration of War with Japan. December 9, 1941 20:48
20 20 - On Progress of the War. February 23, 1942 28:47
21 21 - On Our National Economic Policy. April 28, 1942 25:51
22 22 - On Inflation and Food Prices. September 7, 1942 19:40
23 23 - On the Home Front. October 12, 1942 21:27
24 24 - On the Coal Crisis. May 2, 1943 15:45
25 25 - On the Fall of Mussolini. July 28, 1943 22:20
26 26 - On the Armistice in Italy. September 8, 1943 8:51
27 27 - On the Tehran and Cairo Conferences. December 24, 1943 21:16
28 28 - On the State of the Union. January 11, 1944 23:00
29 29 - On the Fall of Rome. June 5, 1944 10:44
30 30 - Opening Fifth War Loan Drive. June 12, 1944 10:54

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