FDR and Fear Itself: The First Inaugural Address - Paperback >
/ FDR and Fear Itself: The First Inaugural Address - Paperback

FDR and Fear Itself: The First Inaugural Address - Paperback

Regular price$22.99
/
(Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.)
✔ Authenticity Guaranteed — Verified Designer Goods
✔ 100% Money-Back Guarantee on Eligible Items
✔ Prices Displayed in Your Local Currency
✔ Final Price = No Surprise Import Fees
✔ Complimentary Insured Worldwide Shipping on Qualifying Orders
✔ Select Collector & Specialty Pieces May Require Secured Delivery Handling
Our authentication process ensures every item meets strict luxury verification standards. Learn more
Complimentary worldwide shipping on qualifying orders

by Davis W. Houck (Author)

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." These are some of the most famous, the most quoted, and the best remembered words in American political history. They seem to be a natural expression of American democratic will, yet these words from Franklin Roosevelt's first inaugural address had an actual author who struggled with how best to express that thought-and it wasn't the new president. In this innovative book on the crafting of this crucial speech, Davis W. Houck leads the reader from its negative, mechanical, and Hooverian first draft through its final revision, its delivery, and the responses of those who were inspired by it during those troubled times. Houck's analysis, dramatic and at points riveting, focuses on three themes: how the speech came to be written; an explication of the text itself; and its reception. Drawing on the writings and memories of several people who were present in the crowd at the inauguration, Houck shows how powerfully the new president's speech affected those who were there or who heard it on the radio. Some were so moved by Roosevelt's delivery that they would have been willing to make him a dictator, and many believed such inspired words could have come only from a divine source. Houck then flashes back to the final year of the 1932 presidential campaign to show how Raymond Moley, the principal architect of the address, came to be trusted by Roosevelt to craft this important speech. Houck traces the relationships of Moley with Roosevelt and Roosevelt's influential confidante, Louis Howe, who was responsible for important changes in the speech's later drafts, including the famous aphorism. Although the book focuses primarily on the speech and its drafting, Houck also offers telling glimpses of Roosevelt's complex relationship with his wife, who dreaded her new duties as First Lady, and his deep, personal dislike of Herbert Hoover, all while conveying a strong sense of the urgency of the times. The text of this compelling address is provided in its entirety so that students and others may experience for themselves the full power of the rhetoric. Davis W. Houck, an assistant professor of communication at Florida State University, has written several works on presidential rhetoric, including Rhetoric as Currency: Hoover, Roosevelt, and the Great Depression, also published by Texas A&M University Press. He holds a Ph.D. from Penn State University.

Author Biography

Davis W. Houck, an assistant professor of communication at Florida State University, has written several works on presidential rhetoric, including Rhetoric as Currency: Hoover, Roosevelt, and the Great Depression, also published by Texas A&M University Press. He holds a Ph.D. from Penn State University.

Number of Pages: 184
Dimensions: 0.52 x 8.46 x 5.62 IN
Publication Date: March 21, 2013
  • In stock, ready to ship
  • Backordered, shipping soon
Shop with Confidence
  • ✔ Authenticity Guaranteed — Verified Designer Goods
  • ✔ Sourced from Authorized European/U.S. Luxury Distributors
  • ✔ Secure Checkout — SSL Encrypted Payments
  • ✔ Fast Global Delivery — 3–11 Business Days
  • ✔ Easy Returns on Eligible Items
  • ✔ 100% Money-Back Guarantee — Full Refund if Not Satisfied
Verified Trust Rating: 91/100
Amazon American Express Apple Pay Bancontact Diners Club Discover Google Pay Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay USDC Visa SSL Secure
Amazon Pay Logo Fast checkout with Amazon Pay. Use your Amazon account to skip entering shipping or card info.
Trusted by discerning buyers worldwide — secure, verified luxury sourcing

AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

Reserved for you — complete your purchase to secure this piece.

Authorized Designer Inventory Secure & Encrypted Checkout Tracked & Insured Delivery

OFFICIALLY AUTHORIZED RESELLER

Discover Officially Authorized Authentic Items at STORE7994.com - Certificates Available on Request!

Independently verified for store quality and customer safety.
Trust score: 91/100

All designer items offered by STORE 7994 are sourced from trusted luxury distributors and verified through independent authentication services.

Learn how STORE 7994 authenticates luxury items

Guaranteed Authentic — Includes Brand Documentation & Third-Party Verification Options.

Shipping information

  • Free Shipping* on all orders over $300 USD to most countries* Estimated delivery: 2-5 business days Mon-Sat to U.S., CA, EU etc.
  • Tracking available: DHL Express
  • Store 7994 Shipping policy
  • Global delivery in 3–9 business days (location dependent).
  • Free Worldwide Shipping $300+. International duties & VAT are calculated by destination country and may be collected upon delivery. UK orders are subject to 20% import VAT upon delivery.

Our innovation isn’t just in the brands we carry — it’s in the way we connect them. From our automation engine that keeps collections globally updated to our commitment to authenticity-first presentation, STORE 7994 exists where timeless design meets modern precision.

Every product we offer is:
Elevated · Intentional · Exclusive · Authentic

STORE 7994 is an authorized reseller of luxury fashion houses. Certificates and proof of authenticity are available to brand owners and partners upon request.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Returns & Refunds

We want you to shop with confidence at STORE 7994. If your purchase does not meet expectations, eligible items may be returned under the conditions below.

Return Eligibility
Items must be unused, unworn, and in original condition with all tags, packaging, and accessories included. Items showing any signs of wear or damage will not be accepted.

Return Window
Return requests must be made within 14 days of delivery.

Return Shipping
Customers are responsible for return shipping costs unless the item is defective, damaged, or incorrect.

Luxury Items
Items valued over $1,000 may be subject to a 7% restocking fee upon approved return.

Non-Returnable Items
For hygiene and product integrity reasons, the following items are final sale once opened or used:

• Underwear
• Fragrances
• Any worn or used items

Made-to-Order Items
Custom-designed products, including STORE 7994 hoodies, are made exclusively for each customer and are final sale. These items are not eligible for return or exchange unless defective or incorrect.

If you receive a defective or incorrect item, please contact us and we will make it right.

International Shipping & Duties
Many of our products ship directly from trusted international partners. Any applicable customs duties or import taxes are calculated at checkout and are non-refundable, even if the item is returned.

Returns & Associated Fees
All approved returns are subject to a $24 return processing fee. For international orders, duties, taxes, and return fees will be deducted from the original payment.

Shipping Policy
Complimentary shipping is offered on orders over $300. Orders below this threshold are subject to standard shipping rates at checkout.