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The Happy Warrior

Franklin D. Roosevelt · 1928

A 1928 book by Franklin D. Roosevelt, written as his nominating speech and study of Al Smith, showing Roosevelt's political writing before his presidency.

Roosevelt wrote this book himself, based on his nominating speech for Al Smith, showing his political voice before his presidency.

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The Happy WarriorPDF · 57 pages
Franklin D. Roosevelt, The Happy Warrior: Alfred E. Smith, 1928. Scanned book, Internet Archive.

About this source

What it is

This is a short book written by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1928, built around his nomination speech for Al Smith and expanded into a study of Smith as a public servant. It was published by Houghton Mifflin Company in Boston and New York.

Why it matters

Written before Roosevelt became president, the book shows his political rhetoric and his support for Al Smith, a prominent Democratic politician of the time. In his foreword, Roosevelt says he tried to write fairly despite the heat of a political campaign, which gives insight into how he presented himself and his allies to the public.

Look closer

  • Why might Roosevelt have felt the need to say in his foreword that the book was not a partisan plea?
  • What does Roosevelt's choice to write about Al Smith tell us about their political relationship in 1928?
  • What might be missing from a political ally's account of a public figure?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Franklin D. Roosevelt on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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