In AMERICA FIRST: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War, historian H.W. Brands recreates the debate over America’s role in the lead-up to its entry into World War II. While the subtitle suggests that this issue became a battle between two iconic figures, the reality of the narrative is that this struggle included a large cast of characters from all corners of the world. But the focus of the book is on President Franklin D. Roosevelt and American aviator Charles Lindbergh.

Brands clearly establishes that the debate was an unfair contest. Roosevelt, who recognized America’s position in the world, was an accomplished politician. He had risen through the ranks of US politics to become President and was nearing the end of his second term in office when war broke out in Europe. After conquering the Atlantic in a nonstop flight, Lindbergh was a worldwide hero. His political naivete would hamper his ability to effectively argue the case for keeping America out of the war. Of course, many other factors were in play, and Brands includes them in his discussion.

"Even today, the future foreign policy of America and the role of our nation in the world is contentious. H. W. Brands reminds us in his thoughtful account that the debate still lingers, and the answer remains uncertain."

Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939 created a fierce debate in the United States over how they would confront fascism. In advocating for an international role, Roosevelt had a strong ally in Europe. Prime Minister Winston Churchill wanted America on their side for two reasons: troops and the ability of the US to manufacture the arsenal of democracy. The two leaders often communicated publicly and privately. On many occasions, Roosevelt’s pronouncements on US policy would speak of neutrality and remaining out of Europe’s war. But then he would engage in activity that was precisely the opposite of his stated public position.

While Lindbergh attempted to avoid the spotlight, the public would not allow him privacy. He married and had a family, but then suffered through the grief of having a child kidnapped and murdered. At one point, his loved ones moved to England to get away from all the attention. It is somewhat ironic that Lindbergh, who had no military experience, was still viewed by many as an expert on what was going on in Europe. He did know aviation, of course, and his views on the significance of air power were considered important.

Even now, eight decades after the events leading up to World War II are studied, Lindbergh’s role and attitudes are debated. Was he a Nazi sympathizer, an anti-Semite, or was he simply naïve about the world? As Brands notes, these issues came to the fore as Lindbergh became more strident in opposing American involvement in Europe. After publicly opposing the Lend-Lease Act, he found his patriotism attacked.

Finally, in a speech delivered in Des Moines, Iowa, Lindbergh made many observations against American Jews: “Their greatest danger to this country lies in their large ownership and influence in our motion pictures, our press, our radio and our government.” It was all his enemies needed to overwhelmingly condemn him. As former President Herbert Hoover told Lindbergh, “When you had been in politics long enough, you learned not to say things just because they are true.”

The debate between FDR and Lindbergh is long past, but the arguments still resonate. Even today, the future foreign policy of America and the role of our nation in the world is contentious. H.W. Brands reminds us in his thoughtful account that the debate still lingers, and the answer remains uncertain.