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The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best History & Biography (2023)Perfect for readers of A Woman of No Importance, Three Ordinary Girls, and Eleanor: A Life comes the first-ever biography of Anna Marie Rosenberg, the Hungarian Jewish immigrant who became FDR’s closest advisor during World War II and, according to LIFE, “the most important official woman in the world” —a woman of many firsts, whose story, forgotten for too long, is extraordinary, inspiring, and uniquely American. Her life ran parallel to the front lines of history yet her influence on 20th century America, from the New Deal to the Cold War and beyond, has never before been told.
“Far and away the most important woman in the American government, and perhaps the most important official female in the world.” —LIFE magazine, 1952
As Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s special envoy to Europe in World War II she went where the president couldn’t go. She was among the first Allied women to enter a liberated concentration camp, and stood in the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain retreat, days after its capture. She guided the direction of the G.I. Bill of Rights and the Manhattan Project. Though Anna Rosenberg emerged from modest immigrant beginnings, equipped with only a high school education, she was the real power behind national policies critical to America winning the war and prospering afterward. Astonishingly, her story remains largely forgotten.
With a disarming mix of charm and Tammany-hewn toughness, Rosenberg began her career in public relations in 1920s Manhattan. She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, who recommended Anna to her husband, who was then running for Governor of New York. As FDR’s unofficial adviser, Rosenberg soon wielded enormous influence—no less potent for being subtle. Roosevelt dubbed her “my Mrs. Fix-It.” Her extraordinary career continued after his death.
By 1950, she was tapped to become the assistant secretary of defense—the highest position ever held by a woman in the US military—prompting Senator Joe McCarthy to wage an unsuccessful smear campaign against her. In 1962, she organized John F. Kennedy’s infamous birthday gala, sitting beside him while Marilyn Monroe sang. Until the end of her life, Rosenberg fought tirelessly for causes from racial integration to women’s equality to national health care.
More than the story of one remarkable woman, The Confidante explores who gets to be at the forefront of history, and why. Though she was not quite a hidden figure, Rosenberg’s position as “the power behind,” combined with her status as an immigrant and a Jewish woman, served to diminish her importance. In this inspiring, impeccably researched, and revelatory book, Christopher C. Gorham at last affords Anna Rosenberg the recognition she so richly deserves.
“A fitting tribute to a trailblazer.” —Publishers Weekly
“Wonderfully told…perfect for readers of history, biography, politics, and feminism.” —Booklist
“A well-deserved first biography.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Far and away the most important woman in the American government, and perhaps the most important official female in the world.” —LIFE magazine, 1952
As Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s special envoy to Europe in World War II she went where the president couldn’t go. She was among the first Allied women to enter a liberated concentration camp, and stood in the Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s mountain retreat, days after its capture. She guided the direction of the G.I. Bill of Rights and the Manhattan Project. Though Anna Rosenberg emerged from modest immigrant beginnings, equipped with only a high school education, she was the real power behind national policies critical to America winning the war and prospering afterward. Astonishingly, her story remains largely forgotten.
With a disarming mix of charm and Tammany-hewn toughness, Rosenberg began her career in public relations in 1920s Manhattan. She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, who recommended Anna to her husband, who was then running for Governor of New York. As FDR’s unofficial adviser, Rosenberg soon wielded enormous influence—no less potent for being subtle. Roosevelt dubbed her “my Mrs. Fix-It.” Her extraordinary career continued after his death.
By 1950, she was tapped to become the assistant secretary of defense—the highest position ever held by a woman in the US military—prompting Senator Joe McCarthy to wage an unsuccessful smear campaign against her. In 1962, she organized John F. Kennedy’s infamous birthday gala, sitting beside him while Marilyn Monroe sang. Until the end of her life, Rosenberg fought tirelessly for causes from racial integration to women’s equality to national health care.
More than the story of one remarkable woman, The Confidante explores who gets to be at the forefront of history, and why. Though she was not quite a hidden figure, Rosenberg’s position as “the power behind,” combined with her status as an immigrant and a Jewish woman, served to diminish her importance. In this inspiring, impeccably researched, and revelatory book, Christopher C. Gorham at last affords Anna Rosenberg the recognition she so richly deserves.
“A fitting tribute to a trailblazer.” —Publishers Weekly
“Wonderfully told…perfect for readers of history, biography, politics, and feminism.” —Booklist
“A well-deserved first biography.” —Kirkus Reviews
384 pages, Hardcover
First published February 21, 2023
About the author
Christopher C. Gorham
2 books147 followersCHRISTOPHER C. GORHAM is the author of THE CONFIDANTE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE WOMAN WHO HELPED WIN WWII AND SHAPE MODERN AMERICA (Citadel Press, 2023)--a GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD NOMINEE for best history-biography in 2023. Gorham holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Tufts, and Syracuse College of Law. After practicing law for over a decade, for the last several years he has taught Modern America at Westford Academy, outside Boston. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Literary Hub, Paper Brigade, and in online publications. He and his wife Elizabeth live in Watertown and Chatham, Massachusetts, where he is working on his next book. On social @christophercgorham; contact Christopher for in-person or virtual book talks.
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June 27, 2023
The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America
by Christopher C. Gorham is the well-researched story of an amazing woman who I had never heard discussed in any history class. Anna Marie Lederer Rosenberg was an immigrant with only a high school education. Despite this, she was one of the most influential and important women in American history.
Anna began her career in public and labor relations in 1920s Manhattan. She mediated many labor disputes and helped many politicians. She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, who recommended Anna to Franklin Roosevelt when he was running for governor of New York. Anna became his unofficial adviser and problem fixer. In 1936 she became a regional director for the National Industrial Recovery Act. She was also Roosevelt’s special envoy to Europe in World War II and worked on many of the New Deal programs.
During Truman’s presidency, she became Assistant Secretary of Defense. She coordinated staffing for the entire Department of Defense, worked to implement the National Security Act, increase women in the military, and advance racial integration of the services. She was also an advisor and friend to Presidents Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson. She was also influential in policies regarding cancer research, civil rights, and social security.
This narrative is detailed and well-researched. While the initial pacing was somewhat slow, there were so many interesting details that drew me into Anna’s life. Once she meets the Roosevelts, I was fully engaged. At the back of the book are notes, a selected bibliography, and an index.
Overall, this biography is intriguing and thought-provoking. The author has delivered a fascinating book about an important and amazing person history has overlooked. This is the author’s first book and I hope he continues to provide readers with more insights into forgotten people in history.
Kensington Books - Citadel provided a complimentary physical copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was February 21, 2023.
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My 4.28 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Anna began her career in public and labor relations in 1920s Manhattan. She mediated many labor disputes and helped many politicians. She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt, who recommended Anna to Franklin Roosevelt when he was running for governor of New York. Anna became his unofficial adviser and problem fixer. In 1936 she became a regional director for the National Industrial Recovery Act. She was also Roosevelt’s special envoy to Europe in World War II and worked on many of the New Deal programs.
During Truman’s presidency, she became Assistant Secretary of Defense. She coordinated staffing for the entire Department of Defense, worked to implement the National Security Act, increase women in the military, and advance racial integration of the services. She was also an advisor and friend to Presidents Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson. She was also influential in policies regarding cancer research, civil rights, and social security.
This narrative is detailed and well-researched. While the initial pacing was somewhat slow, there were so many interesting details that drew me into Anna’s life. Once she meets the Roosevelts, I was fully engaged. At the back of the book are notes, a selected bibliography, and an index.
Overall, this biography is intriguing and thought-provoking. The author has delivered a fascinating book about an important and amazing person history has overlooked. This is the author’s first book and I hope he continues to provide readers with more insights into forgotten people in history.
Kensington Books - Citadel provided a complimentary physical copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was February 21, 2023.
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My 4.28 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
March 7, 2023
Early 20th Century America was a place of change and opportunity. Within the first 50 years, US citizens were a party of industrialisation, the depression, two world wars, and the cold war. What is not so well known is the part Anna Rosenberg, a Jewish-Hungarian immigrant, facilitated and negotiated to help shape the America we know today.
Anna Rosenberg, a 5'3" pocket rocket, with little more than a high school education, rose to the inner sanctum of the White House during these pivotal years, 'You don't have to be like a man to succeed. If you know your stuff, you'll be alright.' Anna began as a negotiator between the fast-forming unions of the early 20th Century and capitalist corporates. Her unique sense of mediation, so that both sides could win, as opposed to brute force, won all-around trust. This skill base was leveraged to bring about the greatest mobilisation of troops and factory workers when the US entered WW II - including the negotiation to desegregate and include African Americans. She further pushed for the use of women in the war effort, 'The morale of the nation depends upon its women.' Despite being the first person to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, her credibility was attacked during McCarthyism. Still, throughout this ordeal, she held her head high and stayed true.
'The Confidante' not only details the life of this amazing woman. it also offers a robust summary of these transformational years in American history. It is astounding just how pivotal Anna Rosenberg, who is so little recognised today, was. Often stories of inspiring, historical women figures, are about the struggle they suffered in breaking into a 'man's world'. Anna's story is different. Anna only saw advantages to being a woman within her place of work, 'Men will talk more freely to a woman than to another man, and when men talk freely nine times out of ten misunderstandings vanish'. She ultimately just wanted to be herself and if that meant she could make a difference, then she worked hard at doing so.
Christopher Gorham has done a fantastic job delivering a short history of American politics in the early 20th Century and Anna Rosenberg’s pivotal, and unbelievably integral role within this. 'The Confidnate' is both an inspiring and illuminating book, well worth a read for so many reasons.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Anna Rosenberg, a 5'3" pocket rocket, with little more than a high school education, rose to the inner sanctum of the White House during these pivotal years, 'You don't have to be like a man to succeed. If you know your stuff, you'll be alright.' Anna began as a negotiator between the fast-forming unions of the early 20th Century and capitalist corporates. Her unique sense of mediation, so that both sides could win, as opposed to brute force, won all-around trust. This skill base was leveraged to bring about the greatest mobilisation of troops and factory workers when the US entered WW II - including the negotiation to desegregate and include African Americans. She further pushed for the use of women in the war effort, 'The morale of the nation depends upon its women.' Despite being the first person to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, her credibility was attacked during McCarthyism. Still, throughout this ordeal, she held her head high and stayed true.
'The Confidante' not only details the life of this amazing woman. it also offers a robust summary of these transformational years in American history. It is astounding just how pivotal Anna Rosenberg, who is so little recognised today, was. Often stories of inspiring, historical women figures, are about the struggle they suffered in breaking into a 'man's world'. Anna's story is different. Anna only saw advantages to being a woman within her place of work, 'Men will talk more freely to a woman than to another man, and when men talk freely nine times out of ten misunderstandings vanish'. She ultimately just wanted to be herself and if that meant she could make a difference, then she worked hard at doing so.
Christopher Gorham has done a fantastic job delivering a short history of American politics in the early 20th Century and Anna Rosenberg’s pivotal, and unbelievably integral role within this. 'The Confidnate' is both an inspiring and illuminating book, well worth a read for so many reasons.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 21, 2023
The Confidante by Christopher C Gorham
The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America
Historical non fiction. Biography.
Anna M Rosenberg is largely unknown by today’s standards but she was an influential woman with an impact that is felt still today. Social Security, women in the military and official cancer research are just a few things she had an impact on over the years. Presidents, senators and generals alike loved Anna and respected her business acumen and more simply, the ability to get things done.
An impressive woman and a book that pays her justice. Even if she would never have written it herself.
Facts and stories are laid out in a specific timeline from official files, letters, and other historical documents. A homage to a powerful woman that needs to be remembered.
I received a copy of the book from #BetweenTheCbapters.
The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America
Historical non fiction. Biography.
Anna M Rosenberg is largely unknown by today’s standards but she was an influential woman with an impact that is felt still today. Social Security, women in the military and official cancer research are just a few things she had an impact on over the years. Presidents, senators and generals alike loved Anna and respected her business acumen and more simply, the ability to get things done.
An impressive woman and a book that pays her justice. Even if she would never have written it herself.
Facts and stories are laid out in a specific timeline from official files, letters, and other historical documents. A homage to a powerful woman that needs to be remembered.
I received a copy of the book from #BetweenTheCbapters.
March 6, 2023
Do you know this woman?
No? Don't feel bad as most people don't. I hope this will change soon though.
Anna Marie Rosenberg was born in Budapest on July 19, 1899 (there is at least one other birthday sometimes used but that was given by her parents in America when they wanted her to have more time in school to adjust to the new language).
After having been betrayed and personally ruined by Kaiser Franz Josef, Anna's father decided to try his luck in America. Two years after his arrival and with the means to support his wife and two daughters, he sent for the rest of the family so they immigrated in 1912 (traveling by ship only a few months after the Titanic disaster).
Anna married an infantryman after WW1. They had one son together. Interestingly, her husband either never wanted or never managed to stop his wife from taking at least American politics by storm (thankfully).
As a high-schooler, she appeared in the New York Times for the first time due to her mediating a large student strike related to mandatory military training. That and her tireless efforts for the Suffragette movement put her on the map for people like Belle Moskowitz. Eventually, Anna opened a public/labor relations firm but was also active in Democratic politics in New York City (helping some candidates win different elections for example) until in 1928 when she met Eleanor Roosevelt. If a person like ER describes you as "a woman who penetrated the ‘old boy network’ through her ability, friendship with men of influence, and force of personality.", that is quite the compliment! From then on, Anna's and the Roosevelts' lives were intwined.
After FDR became President, Anna directed the NIRA (in one of my status updates I called it the NRA, sorry), the National Industrial Recovery Act, as of 1934 - the only woman to ever be a regional director. However, the Supreme Court nixed it one year later. Anna then became the regional director of the Social Security Board for the state of New York - again the only woman - and stayed in that position until 1943.
In 1938, FDR sent her to Europe to get a personal impression on labor practices. During this first of three trips (the others were during WW2 even), she personally encountered Nazis ... she apparently never said so but considering that she was Jewish (albeit non-practicing), that must have been truly frightening.
Probably her biggest win was in 1941 when she helped FDR to find a compromise with Black Labour activist Randolph who threatened a march of 100.000 people in Washington if black people didn't get a lawful right to be employed. This is one of the things where FDR shocked his "buddies" from his earlier life - he burnt down bridges to improve conditions for ALL American citizens, risking personal backlash and more. Personally, I don't think he would have done so without being pushed by his wife, Eleanor, and Anna. As a matter of fact, it is historically proven that ER kind of conspired with Anna to give her the best chances of success at wrangling the President into complying after Anna had helped draw up Executive Order 8802 (a mandate for equality in hiring workers).
That year and in 1942, she also ran the Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services. Then, from 1942 to 1945, Anna served as the regional director of the War Manpower Commission for the state of New York, drawing up and pushing through the "Buffalo Plan", while also serving as a consultant to the Retraining and Reemployment Administration.
At one time, she held 7 different positions / jobs. She had contacts and made incredible connections, often through mediating where otherwise there would have been major conflict. So yeah, she was a power broker. It's therefore no surprise that one of her nicknames was "Mrs. Fix-It" and that she was featured on the title pages of most of the major newspapers and magazines in the 1940s. All the more surprising how she could then be "forgotten" so utterly such a short time later!
In October 1945, Anna was the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In his speech, the then-President Truman said that without the Buffalo Plan, the "necessary manpower for war production would not have been attained." So, basically, she saved everybody's ass.
A year earlier, when FDR was still President, he sent Anna to Europe a second time to report on the needs of American soldiers after their demobilization. To me, personally, that record was what left the strongest impression. Anna slummed it with Patton and his guys, wading through rivers, crawling through mud once, and eating field rations. No nice hotel room or anything. And that for 6 weeks. Upon her return, Anna recommended education and supported the G.I. Bill of Rights. But she also took the time (and money out of her own pocket) to call the families of each soldier she had met to give them personal news from abroad!
On her third and last trip to Europe on FDR's request (she left after FDR's death and reported to President Truman), Anna was one of the first Allied women to enter a liberated concentration camp (Nordhausen, a sub-camp of Buchenwald). Don't get me started on how hard it was to just read about that. I don't want to imagine how difficult it must have been for her to experience it (I loved the heartbreaking anecdote about the little "gifts" she gave to the liberated women she encountered)!
She also became Assistant Secretary of Defense in 1955 (the picture above is showing her being sworn in)*, advised several Presidents on matters often way outside her job description and founded a consulting firm with customers such as the American Cancer Society, the American Hospital Association, the American College of Hospital Administrators, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., and Merriam-Webster.
A "funny" side-note on her work: she was the one who organized the 1962 birthday gala for President John F. Kennedy, made famous by Marilyn Monroe's rendition of "Happy Birthday".
In 1957, Anna separated from her husband before getting a divorce in 1962. She then married Paul G. Hoffman, the first administrator of the Marshall Plan and a top United Nations official (he died in 1974). Anna died in 1983 after suffering from cancer for a year.
Oh and if you think her being the first recipient (and first female recipient) of the Presidential Medal of Freedom was impressive, I should mention that she also received a Medal of Freedom, a Medal of Merit, as well as 3 honorary degrees (one from Columbia University).
All that is to give you but a very abbreviated glimpse at how much and how tirelessly this woman worked. I do not share some historians' view that she was more important than Eleanor Roosevelt herself, but I'd put them on equal footing. The tragedy is that ER is remembered, always has been, even during the times when her actual achievements weren't honored. Meanwhile, Anna not only had to endure smear campaigns especially after the death of FDR, but was positively struck from any record, eliminated from the history books.
Why? Well, we can only guess but I think the combination of her being a woman AND Jewish didn't help and in the end, the "old boys' club" prevailed. Until now.
Personally, I consider her one hell of a person, capable and with a good heart, unselfish. I therefore really really hope that Anna's story will get out there more and she'll get the recognition she might have never sought but definitely deserves.
* Am I the only one who thought of Joe Rogan and others like him nowadays when reading about that abominable Fulton Lewis Jr.?!
No? Don't feel bad as most people don't. I hope this will change soon though.
Anna Marie Rosenberg was born in Budapest on July 19, 1899 (there is at least one other birthday sometimes used but that was given by her parents in America when they wanted her to have more time in school to adjust to the new language).
After having been betrayed and personally ruined by Kaiser Franz Josef, Anna's father decided to try his luck in America. Two years after his arrival and with the means to support his wife and two daughters, he sent for the rest of the family so they immigrated in 1912 (traveling by ship only a few months after the Titanic disaster).
Anna married an infantryman after WW1. They had one son together. Interestingly, her husband either never wanted or never managed to stop his wife from taking at least American politics by storm (thankfully).
As a high-schooler, she appeared in the New York Times for the first time due to her mediating a large student strike related to mandatory military training. That and her tireless efforts for the Suffragette movement put her on the map for people like Belle Moskowitz. Eventually, Anna opened a public/labor relations firm but was also active in Democratic politics in New York City (helping some candidates win different elections for example) until in 1928 when she met Eleanor Roosevelt. If a person like ER describes you as "a woman who penetrated the ‘old boy network’ through her ability, friendship with men of influence, and force of personality.", that is quite the compliment! From then on, Anna's and the Roosevelts' lives were intwined.
After FDR became President, Anna directed the NIRA (in one of my status updates I called it the NRA, sorry), the National Industrial Recovery Act, as of 1934 - the only woman to ever be a regional director. However, the Supreme Court nixed it one year later. Anna then became the regional director of the Social Security Board for the state of New York - again the only woman - and stayed in that position until 1943.
In 1938, FDR sent her to Europe to get a personal impression on labor practices. During this first of three trips (the others were during WW2 even), she personally encountered Nazis ... she apparently never said so but considering that she was Jewish (albeit non-practicing), that must have been truly frightening.
Probably her biggest win was in 1941 when she helped FDR to find a compromise with Black Labour activist Randolph who threatened a march of 100.000 people in Washington if black people didn't get a lawful right to be employed. This is one of the things where FDR shocked his "buddies" from his earlier life - he burnt down bridges to improve conditions for ALL American citizens, risking personal backlash and more. Personally, I don't think he would have done so without being pushed by his wife, Eleanor, and Anna. As a matter of fact, it is historically proven that ER kind of conspired with Anna to give her the best chances of success at wrangling the President into complying after Anna had helped draw up Executive Order 8802 (a mandate for equality in hiring workers).
That year and in 1942, she also ran the Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services. Then, from 1942 to 1945, Anna served as the regional director of the War Manpower Commission for the state of New York, drawing up and pushing through the "Buffalo Plan", while also serving as a consultant to the Retraining and Reemployment Administration.
At one time, she held 7 different positions / jobs. She had contacts and made incredible connections, often through mediating where otherwise there would have been major conflict. So yeah, she was a power broker. It's therefore no surprise that one of her nicknames was "Mrs. Fix-It" and that she was featured on the title pages of most of the major newspapers and magazines in the 1940s. All the more surprising how she could then be "forgotten" so utterly such a short time later!
In October 1945, Anna was the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In his speech, the then-President Truman said that without the Buffalo Plan, the "necessary manpower for war production would not have been attained." So, basically, she saved everybody's ass.
A year earlier, when FDR was still President, he sent Anna to Europe a second time to report on the needs of American soldiers after their demobilization. To me, personally, that record was what left the strongest impression. Anna slummed it with Patton and his guys, wading through rivers, crawling through mud once, and eating field rations. No nice hotel room or anything. And that for 6 weeks. Upon her return, Anna recommended education and supported the G.I. Bill of Rights. But she also took the time (and money out of her own pocket) to call the families of each soldier she had met to give them personal news from abroad!
On her third and last trip to Europe on FDR's request (she left after FDR's death and reported to President Truman), Anna was one of the first Allied women to enter a liberated concentration camp (Nordhausen, a sub-camp of Buchenwald). Don't get me started on how hard it was to just read about that. I don't want to imagine how difficult it must have been for her to experience it (I loved the heartbreaking anecdote about the little "gifts" she gave to the liberated women she encountered)!
She also became Assistant Secretary of Defense in 1955 (the picture above is showing her being sworn in)*, advised several Presidents on matters often way outside her job description and founded a consulting firm with customers such as the American Cancer Society, the American Hospital Association, the American College of Hospital Administrators, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., and Merriam-Webster.
A "funny" side-note on her work: she was the one who organized the 1962 birthday gala for President John F. Kennedy, made famous by Marilyn Monroe's rendition of "Happy Birthday".
In 1957, Anna separated from her husband before getting a divorce in 1962. She then married Paul G. Hoffman, the first administrator of the Marshall Plan and a top United Nations official (he died in 1974). Anna died in 1983 after suffering from cancer for a year.
Oh and if you think her being the first recipient (and first female recipient) of the Presidential Medal of Freedom was impressive, I should mention that she also received a Medal of Freedom, a Medal of Merit, as well as 3 honorary degrees (one from Columbia University).
All that is to give you but a very abbreviated glimpse at how much and how tirelessly this woman worked. I do not share some historians' view that she was more important than Eleanor Roosevelt herself, but I'd put them on equal footing. The tragedy is that ER is remembered, always has been, even during the times when her actual achievements weren't honored. Meanwhile, Anna not only had to endure smear campaigns especially after the death of FDR, but was positively struck from any record, eliminated from the history books.
Why? Well, we can only guess but I think the combination of her being a woman AND Jewish didn't help and in the end, the "old boys' club" prevailed. Until now.
Personally, I consider her one hell of a person, capable and with a good heart, unselfish. I therefore really really hope that Anna's story will get out there more and she'll get the recognition she might have never sought but definitely deserves.
* Am I the only one who thought of Joe Rogan and others like him nowadays when reading about that abominable Fulton Lewis Jr.?!
October 25, 2022
Most people live their lives while history happens around them. Some though are an integral part of history, so involved at the heart of things that perhaps the world itself would have been different without them. Anna Rosenberg, little known today, was at one time one of the most famous women in America, a confidante of mayors, generals, and presidents.
Anna immigrated to America as a child from the Austria-Hungary Empire. As a teenager, she marched through the Manhattan streets in the women’s suffrage movement and, later, despite having only a high school education, was the greatest of the labor negotiators, trusted by both capitalists and workers, and able to achieve what few others could. She became a trusted ally of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and then a confidante Of Governor Roosevelt, soon to become President Roosevelt. Anna was a key cog in FDR’s New Deal programs including Social Security. She was a trusted lieutenant in labor negotiations, keeping the labor peace as the world plunged into war.
During the Second World War, Anna played a major role in war production, mobilization, and recruitment. She was FDR’s eyes and ears, being on the ground with the troops as Normandy was liberated, in Paris as the Allies swept out the Germans, and among the first to see firsthand Hitler’s death camps. Later, under Truman, Anna became the Assistant Secretary Of Defense and assisted in the reinvigoration Of America’s military for the battle in Korea and against Communism. Of course, her biggest trial was Senator McCarthy and his smear campaign against her and she was the first to stand against him And not fall.
All throughout, Anna, standing at five foot three, was impeccably dressed stylishly. Only Eleanor Roosevelt was better known.
This biography casts a new light on a remarkable woman who has somehow disappeared into the forgotten shadows of history. It is well-written and meticulously researched.
.
Anna immigrated to America as a child from the Austria-Hungary Empire. As a teenager, she marched through the Manhattan streets in the women’s suffrage movement and, later, despite having only a high school education, was the greatest of the labor negotiators, trusted by both capitalists and workers, and able to achieve what few others could. She became a trusted ally of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and then a confidante Of Governor Roosevelt, soon to become President Roosevelt. Anna was a key cog in FDR’s New Deal programs including Social Security. She was a trusted lieutenant in labor negotiations, keeping the labor peace as the world plunged into war.
During the Second World War, Anna played a major role in war production, mobilization, and recruitment. She was FDR’s eyes and ears, being on the ground with the troops as Normandy was liberated, in Paris as the Allies swept out the Germans, and among the first to see firsthand Hitler’s death camps. Later, under Truman, Anna became the Assistant Secretary Of Defense and assisted in the reinvigoration Of America’s military for the battle in Korea and against Communism. Of course, her biggest trial was Senator McCarthy and his smear campaign against her and she was the first to stand against him And not fall.
All throughout, Anna, standing at five foot three, was impeccably dressed stylishly. Only Eleanor Roosevelt was better known.
This biography casts a new light on a remarkable woman who has somehow disappeared into the forgotten shadows of history. It is well-written and meticulously researched.
.
June 12, 2023
I judge non-fiction books by different criteria than I do fiction. I judge by the documentation to support the events and story as well as the flow of the text to draw me in and keep my interest. With one quibble I found this book to be otherwise excellent in all of the above criteria.
My quibble came very early on when Anna Lederer (later Rosenberg after marriage) came to America as a young Jewish child and the author claimed her mother's name was Americanized to Charlotte at Ellis Island. The myth that names were changed at Ellis Island made me cringe as this did not happen no matter how many times people claim it as fact. Yes, people did Americanize and change their names when arriving in America but they did so for reasons other than someone at Ellis Island making the change. So that got me to be even more cautious when verifying the events throughout the book. After that brief stumble I found the book fascinating and very well researched.
Some of the historical events I was aware of and others were new to me. I had not heard of Anna Rosenberg prior to reading the book -- she was just another of the influential women in our nation's history whose accomplishments were often attributed to others (men). As a young Jewish immigrant her father had impressed upon Anna that America was so good to them in allowing them to come there (at a very precarious time in their Eastern European homeland) that they owed a life of service and good deeds in return.
Anna became an advisor to FDR, Truman, and LBJ and much more. Interestingly she didn't find that Kennedy paid much attention to her (or other women it would seem) as having anything significant to contribute. She was an important contributor to the New Deal and the Civil Rights movement...for both women and minorities.
Disclaimer: I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway but this in no way colored my review of the book. I'm very glad I got to read it and highly recommend it to others.
My quibble came very early on when Anna Lederer (later Rosenberg after marriage) came to America as a young Jewish child and the author claimed her mother's name was Americanized to Charlotte at Ellis Island. The myth that names were changed at Ellis Island made me cringe as this did not happen no matter how many times people claim it as fact. Yes, people did Americanize and change their names when arriving in America but they did so for reasons other than someone at Ellis Island making the change. So that got me to be even more cautious when verifying the events throughout the book. After that brief stumble I found the book fascinating and very well researched.
Some of the historical events I was aware of and others were new to me. I had not heard of Anna Rosenberg prior to reading the book -- she was just another of the influential women in our nation's history whose accomplishments were often attributed to others (men). As a young Jewish immigrant her father had impressed upon Anna that America was so good to them in allowing them to come there (at a very precarious time in their Eastern European homeland) that they owed a life of service and good deeds in return.
Anna became an advisor to FDR, Truman, and LBJ and much more. Interestingly she didn't find that Kennedy paid much attention to her (or other women it would seem) as having anything significant to contribute. She was an important contributor to the New Deal and the Civil Rights movement...for both women and minorities.
Disclaimer: I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway but this in no way colored my review of the book. I'm very glad I got to read it and highly recommend it to others.
March 19, 2023
This book took me a long time to read, which is unusual for me, but it wasn’t a light fluffy read. I don’t usually read “important” books, but this was definitely an important book. I had never heard of Anna Rosenberg when I entered the publishers giveaway on Goodreads.com. There are many reasons why a lot of us have never heard of her, but thank goodness she existed! Her work with FDR, Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, among others should be better known. American women and other minorities owe her a debt and the least we can do is see that she isn’t forgotten. I received a free copy of this book from the Publisher through Goodreads.com
January 27, 2023
I received a free advance copy of this book! My gratitude to the author and publisher. This has not affected my review.
"The Confidante" by Christopher C. Gorham is a clever biography of a woman I had no knowledge of before reading. By the end, I was incredulous as to the public lack of awareness regarding Anna Rosenberg's incredible life. Gorham has shed light on a well-deserving and long-ignored historical figure. His writing style is entertaining and easily understood, and the book as a whole is excellent. It has clearly been well-researched and carefully written. But for a few spelling and grammar errors, it is ready to publish!
"The Confidante" by Christopher C. Gorham is a clever biography of a woman I had no knowledge of before reading. By the end, I was incredulous as to the public lack of awareness regarding Anna Rosenberg's incredible life. Gorham has shed light on a well-deserving and long-ignored historical figure. His writing style is entertaining and easily understood, and the book as a whole is excellent. It has clearly been well-researched and carefully written. But for a few spelling and grammar errors, it is ready to publish!
May 8, 2023
***I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***
Anna M. Rosenberg was my kind of woman and I'm livid that she is not more well known. She was a Jewish immigrant to the USA who never finished high school and felt a deep passion for serving the USA. She worked as a labor mediator between the unions and big business, she went to bat against Tammany Hall politicians and was mentored by some of them, advised FDR and pushed him to provide protections for Black Americans when it comes to jobs and eventually became the Assistant Secretary of Defense under Truman. She had a gift for getting to solutions and avoiding the red tape that is a trap all across the Government.
And she did all of that as a woman in a time and place that was NOT into equal rights. She wore fancy hats and jewelry and never denied her femininity while dominating in "boys club" spaces. An absolute legend. Hashtag goals. My newest girl crush.
Anyway, read it if you're not scared of awesome women.
Anna M. Rosenberg was my kind of woman and I'm livid that she is not more well known. She was a Jewish immigrant to the USA who never finished high school and felt a deep passion for serving the USA. She worked as a labor mediator between the unions and big business, she went to bat against Tammany Hall politicians and was mentored by some of them, advised FDR and pushed him to provide protections for Black Americans when it comes to jobs and eventually became the Assistant Secretary of Defense under Truman. She had a gift for getting to solutions and avoiding the red tape that is a trap all across the Government.
And she did all of that as a woman in a time and place that was NOT into equal rights. She wore fancy hats and jewelry and never denied her femininity while dominating in "boys club" spaces. An absolute legend. Hashtag goals. My newest girl crush.
Anyway, read it if you're not scared of awesome women.
May 24, 2023
3.5 stars... The book pays tribute to an amazing woman who was way ahead of her time. The book itself is long and dry but it mostly made me mad! Again, a woman doing the job of 3 men, highly respected and hard working is attacked by insecure, misogynistic, antisemitic men in power and eventually lost to history! She should be as recognizable as RBG and just as respected.
Read
December 30, 2023DNF because I absolutely have run out of time to finish this for our book club discussion. In fact, I won't make it to the discussion because of a conflicting medical test. Grave family illnesses and deadlines of my own prevented me from finishing. This book sat on my "reading now" list for weeks. I have been trying to catch up with reviews, but I am far behind with that, too. I
March 10, 2023
At a time when men ruled the world Ann Marie Rosenberg made herself known to the powerful and influential. From presidents to senators in those who could affect game changers she was known and liked by most. With a knack for negotiations she change the world one battle at a time and irregardless of her gender was respected by many. This is a well research account of her life from her first negotiations in high school to her most notable achievements in The great work she did with labor unions and more. The author has done a wonderful job telling her life story in a way that it’s interesting and although long before you know it the book is over and you want to read more. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. If you are a fan of American history or international history then you definitely need to read The Confidant, when riding a book with this subject matter many times the text can be academic and boring but Christopher Gorham does an excellent job making it a story you want to keep reading. I received the hardcover and found it so interesting I bought the Kindle version as well so I could read away from home. I wish I could convince you of how great this book is Ann Marie Rosenberg was a star at a time when people weren’t keen on women leaders, let alone one with a Jewish surname. So great! Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
March 31, 2023
THE CONFIDANTE tells the story of Anna Rosenberg, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant who rose to importance in American politics including a role crucial to winning WWII.
“This book seeks to illuminate what it was about Anna Rosenberg that led Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson to seek her counsel and service, while solving the puzzle why have so few heard of this once-national figure. Who is this woman of uncommon ability who played a seminal role during World War II and in shaping and implementing many of twentieth-century America’s most significant public policies?”
Gorham succeeded in what he set out to do with THE CONFIDANTE. I was immediately gripped by the well-researched and well-written biography of Anna Rosenberg, a woman that I disappointingly had not heard of prior to picking up this book. Gorham includes historical context in addition to information about Anna which enriches the reading. I’m in awe of what Anna accomplished and how deeply influential and pivotal she was in so many areas of American progress. At times, this was an emotionally difficult read, especially when thinking about the status of the country today. I wish this book had been written years ago. This is the type of book that would have sparked an interest in history for me in high school rather than a dry textbook. I finished THE CONFIDANTE feeling inspired and proud. Anna Rosenberg is someone to be celebrated. This was a great book to wrap up Women’s History Month.
THE CONFIDANTE is a fantastic biography of a not-well-known yet definitely important woman, Anna Rosenberg. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in biographies, women’s history, politics, or WWII history.
Thank you to Citadel Press and Between the Chapters for the giveaway copy.
“This book seeks to illuminate what it was about Anna Rosenberg that led Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson to seek her counsel and service, while solving the puzzle why have so few heard of this once-national figure. Who is this woman of uncommon ability who played a seminal role during World War II and in shaping and implementing many of twentieth-century America’s most significant public policies?”
Gorham succeeded in what he set out to do with THE CONFIDANTE. I was immediately gripped by the well-researched and well-written biography of Anna Rosenberg, a woman that I disappointingly had not heard of prior to picking up this book. Gorham includes historical context in addition to information about Anna which enriches the reading. I’m in awe of what Anna accomplished and how deeply influential and pivotal she was in so many areas of American progress. At times, this was an emotionally difficult read, especially when thinking about the status of the country today. I wish this book had been written years ago. This is the type of book that would have sparked an interest in history for me in high school rather than a dry textbook. I finished THE CONFIDANTE feeling inspired and proud. Anna Rosenberg is someone to be celebrated. This was a great book to wrap up Women’s History Month.
THE CONFIDANTE is a fantastic biography of a not-well-known yet definitely important woman, Anna Rosenberg. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in biographies, women’s history, politics, or WWII history.
Thank you to Citadel Press and Between the Chapters for the giveaway copy.
June 12, 2023
I am embarrassed to admit I had never heard of Anna Rosenberg, but thrilled to have learned her incredible story. There is so much to enjoy in this book that comes as surprises and revelations about this incredible woman. From the person most responsible for our integrated military to being instrumental in our nation’s WWII victory she embodies the best of the best. A true Titan of history she was one of the most trusted advisors to four of America’s greatest Presidents. This is a book worthy of the amazing lady it honors and reintroduces to the historical record.
January 9, 2024
Well, I feel terrible, as I received an ARC of this book on March 2023 from
Between the Chapters book club and Kensington books, and somehow forgot to review it.
I will try to make up for it with this review, as I reread it for a book club and had a fabulous discussion and decided that each of us will recommend it to at least one other person, and introduce it to other book clubs.
In 1952, Life magazine said, "Far and away the most important woman in the American government, and perhaps the most important official female in the world." Yet today, no one remembers this brilliant woman, Anna Rosenberg.
Anna was born in Hungary in 1899, and by the 1920's , she started her career in public relations in Manhatten. She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt and then helped FDR when he was governor of NY and followed him to Washington.
She was sent to Europe to visit soldiers during WWII, helped desegrarate the army, was instrumental in writing the GI bill, and continued influencing the government after his death. She became the assistant Secretary of defense at the urging of General George Marshall. In that position she went to visit soldiers in Korea. She answered every letter a soldier sent her, and called over 400 mothers on her return. She was a people person who used the phone instead of writing memos.
As an immigrant and a tiny Jewish woman without a college degree, she did not let herself stand out and refused to write a memoir, and so has been forgotten by history. Thanks to historian Gorham, who has meticulously researched her life, we have this engaging story. I highly recommend this book.
Between the Chapters book club and Kensington books, and somehow forgot to review it.
I will try to make up for it with this review, as I reread it for a book club and had a fabulous discussion and decided that each of us will recommend it to at least one other person, and introduce it to other book clubs.
In 1952, Life magazine said, "Far and away the most important woman in the American government, and perhaps the most important official female in the world." Yet today, no one remembers this brilliant woman, Anna Rosenberg.
Anna was born in Hungary in 1899, and by the 1920's , she started her career in public relations in Manhatten. She became friends with Eleanor Roosevelt and then helped FDR when he was governor of NY and followed him to Washington.
She was sent to Europe to visit soldiers during WWII, helped desegrarate the army, was instrumental in writing the GI bill, and continued influencing the government after his death. She became the assistant Secretary of defense at the urging of General George Marshall. In that position she went to visit soldiers in Korea. She answered every letter a soldier sent her, and called over 400 mothers on her return. She was a people person who used the phone instead of writing memos.
As an immigrant and a tiny Jewish woman without a college degree, she did not let herself stand out and refused to write a memoir, and so has been forgotten by history. Thanks to historian Gorham, who has meticulously researched her life, we have this engaging story. I highly recommend this book.
September 29, 2022
Have you ever heard of Anna Marie Rosenberg before? I will admit that even a nerd like me had never heard her name before. Luckily, Christopher Gorham did the hard work and wrote this book!
The best way I can describe Anna Rosenberg is to take Forrest Gump, make him a woman, and then make her extremely smart and savvy. Rosenberg was a key player in the presidencies of everyone from FDR to LBJ. She was the first person ever to receive the Medal of Freedom at the behest of then General Eisenhower. She was also an Assistant Secretary of Defense in 1950. She also made a whole bunch of money on her own through her own business in the private sector. She seemed to be in the middle of everything for decades.
So why don't people know her name? Gorham goes a long way to show how it happened. Rosenberg's power was in her personal touch and, perhaps more importantly, she knew how to keep her mouth shut.
This is a great biography of someone you never heard of before but really should have. Also, bonus points for one president coming off as a total jerk in this narrative. It's not the one you think it is!
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Kensington Books. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 2/21/2023.)
The best way I can describe Anna Rosenberg is to take Forrest Gump, make him a woman, and then make her extremely smart and savvy. Rosenberg was a key player in the presidencies of everyone from FDR to LBJ. She was the first person ever to receive the Medal of Freedom at the behest of then General Eisenhower. She was also an Assistant Secretary of Defense in 1950. She also made a whole bunch of money on her own through her own business in the private sector. She seemed to be in the middle of everything for decades.
So why don't people know her name? Gorham goes a long way to show how it happened. Rosenberg's power was in her personal touch and, perhaps more importantly, she knew how to keep her mouth shut.
This is a great biography of someone you never heard of before but really should have. Also, bonus points for one president coming off as a total jerk in this narrative. It's not the one you think it is!
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Kensington Books. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 2/21/2023.)
December 7, 2022
How have I never heard of Anna M Rosenberg? Truly one of the most remarkable people I've ever read about. That she was wielding power and influence in an even more sexist society than we live in today is incredible. The first female Assistant Secretary of Defense, particularly during a major "police action" is impressive. She knocked down so many doors for women but sadly, they were slammed closed behind her again. I have new-found respect for FDR and HST. This book is rich with details and really brings Anna to life. It almost reads like historical fiction at times.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
April 28, 2023
Gorham has teased out the story of a remarkable woman of consequence whose contributions to national policy have not been fully understood or appreciated. Unfortunately, the author is not a strong writer. In the hands of a highly skilled editor, this might have been a book worthy of its subject. Instead, the book is a publishing mess. However, if one perseveres through all the un-cited quoted passages, unnecessary dual footnoting structure, awkward syntax, and mispunctuation, there is much to be learned about the gendered nature of policy making throughout most of the twentieth century and how one woman managed to pierce the power structure to make a difference.
August 11, 2023
Shocking that Anna Rosenberg is not more well known given her storied career as advisor to Presidents and Generals, and her accomplishments as a government official. Still,I grew a little tired of the recitation of her accomplishments about two-thirds of the way through. Sad that she left no memoir; I would have appreciated more personal insights that may have been gleaned from personal records or family interviews. Overall, well-researched and documented, but dry.
April 6, 2023
The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America is a non-fiction biography of Anna Marie Rosenberg.
Little is known about the incredible impact Anna Rosenberg had on American politics. Anna Rosenberg was a Jewish Hungarian who emigrated to the US with her family, in 1912, at 13 yo. Rosenberg began her civic duty helping the suffrage movement in New York. She moved on to form her own firm which settled labor disputes between labor unions and prominent capitalist industrial companies. Through her work in New York, she befriended Eleanor Roosevelt. Roosevelt recommended Anna to her husband, FDR, and she soon became his "unofficial advisor". She helped advise FDR on several of his New Deal policies. Besides FDR, Anna was a trusted advisor to Truman, Eisenhower, George Marshall, and Johnson. Her work included racial integration of military, women's equality, and Cancer research. She was first to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I highly recommend this book! Thank you Goodreads & Penguin Random House for this free ARC.
Little is known about the incredible impact Anna Rosenberg had on American politics. Anna Rosenberg was a Jewish Hungarian who emigrated to the US with her family, in 1912, at 13 yo. Rosenberg began her civic duty helping the suffrage movement in New York. She moved on to form her own firm which settled labor disputes between labor unions and prominent capitalist industrial companies. Through her work in New York, she befriended Eleanor Roosevelt. Roosevelt recommended Anna to her husband, FDR, and she soon became his "unofficial advisor". She helped advise FDR on several of his New Deal policies. Besides FDR, Anna was a trusted advisor to Truman, Eisenhower, George Marshall, and Johnson. Her work included racial integration of military, women's equality, and Cancer research. She was first to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I highly recommend this book! Thank you Goodreads & Penguin Random House for this free ARC.
March 22, 2023
The author repeatedly states that although Anna Rosenberg was well-known during the FDR-Truman-Eisenhower years, she has basically been forgotten. I agree. Frances Perkins (female Secretary of Labor under FDR) was mentioned in my history books. Anna was not. I'd never heard of her prior to receiving this book as a gift.
The books itself, while well-researched, was dry. Anna's early years (first 100 pages) and from the 1960s on (last 40 pages) dragged. The middle -- the FDR and Truman years -- were fascinating. It wasn't just Anna's role and doings, but the entire presidential and political landscape.
The books itself, while well-researched, was dry. Anna's early years (first 100 pages) and from the 1960s on (last 40 pages) dragged. The middle -- the FDR and Truman years -- were fascinating. It wasn't just Anna's role and doings, but the entire presidential and political landscape.
December 13, 2023
5 stars!!
What a gem of a book about a woman that America SHOULD know about, but doesn't! I wish I had been taught about her in history class!
Deeply researched, Anna's life is truly incredible. She was involved with so many historical moments. The writing style is not like a novel, so be prepared to really dig in! I found Anna to be completely fascinating. Reading about all the significant events through her role made them come to life. I learned so much more than just about one woman.
Highly recommend for more "readerly" book clubs, those interested in history overall, biographies, or asocial science classes (higher level high school or college).
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
What a gem of a book about a woman that America SHOULD know about, but doesn't! I wish I had been taught about her in history class!
Deeply researched, Anna's life is truly incredible. She was involved with so many historical moments. The writing style is not like a novel, so be prepared to really dig in! I found Anna to be completely fascinating. Reading about all the significant events through her role made them come to life. I learned so much more than just about one woman.
Highly recommend for more "readerly" book clubs, those interested in history overall, biographies, or asocial science classes (higher level high school or college).
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
May 27, 2023
A wonderfully-written biography of Anna M. Rosenberg, one of the most powerful women/people in the world through the most turbulent years of the last century. She was a labor-relations genius, strongly influenced FDR and his policy wonks, held the highest-ranking civilian job at the Pentagon and truly defined what a life of 'public service' used to mean.
April 10, 2023
Another one where you wonder where your history classes went wrong. I didn’t even know this person existed, not to mention how much we owe to her. I hope today’s high school and college US history courses include Anna Rosenberg.
It’s a great story and well written, well worth the read …
It’s a great story and well written, well worth the read …
June 1, 2023
While I am sure Anne had a huge influence on how the USA has been shaped, this book read too much like one fact followed by the next. I need more of an actual story line to hold my attention. This book was not for me.
July 15, 2023
3.5 stars. Listened on Audible. Not a bad book just way too long. Enjoyed learning about Anna Rosenberg, a woman way ahead of her time. As confidante to FDR, Truman, Eisenhower as well as many others in politics, she made some amazing decisions & helped position women in government.
June 21, 2023
I am one of the many people who had no idea who Anna Rosenberg was. I do now. I won this book from Kensington Publishers. Wow what a life she led. She was advisor to Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, and Johnson. (Luckily the Kennedy chapter was very short. What a Dick he was.) She was not just an advisor, she had a direct phone line and could just call up the President. She could just put a bill on his desk and say sign it. She was so smart and hard working and driven. She worked in a man's world and did not care at all. She also had no education. She was born in Hungary and came to America in 1912. She went to school but never graduated because her mom had lied about her age. I don't know why that mattered but apparently it did to the school. This book goes through multiple wars, Civil Rights, McCarthyism. He should not have gone after Anna, I'll just say that. I do want to say that everyone knew who she was during this time period. She was in all the magazines and newspapers. She just was lost with History. She was not a good speller and so she never sent memos or did anything through the proper paperwork and channels. She just picked up the telephone and told people what she wanted and they did it. She truly was an incredible human being. She integrated military base schools before public schools in the US were even integrated. She was awarded the Medal of Freedom and the Medal for Merit.
-"That was the first time that I realized the power of polls and the power of politics." (settling a strike while in high school)
-"I am a graduate of the 'learning by doing' school."
-"The things that make life for [ordinary] people of a country more than bearable are the things that make a nation great." (when she started Social Security)
"What is America but beauty queens, millionaires, stupid records, and Hollywood?"
-Hitler (I guess he found out what America really is)
-"It must be noted that every man whom Mrs. Anna Rosenberg has groomed has won a place of distinction."
-"I do not advocate opportunities for women just because they are female. But if she has the necessary wherewithal, her sex should not be held against her."
"Working with women like Anna Rosenberg convinced him (LBJ) it was possible and desirable for women to play a greater role in the economic and political life of the nation."
-Anna's personal discretion was just one reason her remarkable life in service to her country faded from collective memory.
-"I want to be regarded as a public official. The fact that I am a woman plays no part."
-We take for granted Social Security, women in the military, and cancer research. (You can thank Anna for all of these)
-She was a Jewish woman operating in spheres almost exclusively dominated (and later chronicled) by men. Rather than take credit for the ideas she proffered, Anna was content to remain in the background. Anna was the unseen hand. (Frances Perkins, a female she worked with, wrote a memoir and left Anna out of it completely, so it wasn't just men doing this to her)
-"That was the first time that I realized the power of polls and the power of politics." (settling a strike while in high school)
-"I am a graduate of the 'learning by doing' school."
-"The things that make life for [ordinary] people of a country more than bearable are the things that make a nation great." (when she started Social Security)
"What is America but beauty queens, millionaires, stupid records, and Hollywood?"
-Hitler (I guess he found out what America really is)
-"It must be noted that every man whom Mrs. Anna Rosenberg has groomed has won a place of distinction."
-"I do not advocate opportunities for women just because they are female. But if she has the necessary wherewithal, her sex should not be held against her."
"Working with women like Anna Rosenberg convinced him (LBJ) it was possible and desirable for women to play a greater role in the economic and political life of the nation."
-Anna's personal discretion was just one reason her remarkable life in service to her country faded from collective memory.
-"I want to be regarded as a public official. The fact that I am a woman plays no part."
-We take for granted Social Security, women in the military, and cancer research. (You can thank Anna for all of these)
-She was a Jewish woman operating in spheres almost exclusively dominated (and later chronicled) by men. Rather than take credit for the ideas she proffered, Anna was content to remain in the background. Anna was the unseen hand. (Frances Perkins, a female she worked with, wrote a memoir and left Anna out of it completely, so it wasn't just men doing this to her)
August 16, 2023
The Confidante is the biography of Anna Rosenberg, the FDR advisor and gofer and confidante to the president. It is a very thoroughly documented book long on the positivity of Anna Rosenberg and FDR and very short on their shortcomings and misses on policy of the 1930's and 40's. By all accounts Anna Rosenberg was a very accomplished individual in a time when women in government were rare. She had the Presidents ear and possibly heart in matters of social issues of the US, and eventually Roosevelt started sending her overseas to Europe during WWII on fact finding missions and to visit with the troops on his behalf.
This is one of those stories where the main character was involved in every single major decision and event for over 30 years. I am surprised there isn't yet a movie made about her. Anna had her hands on Social Security as its director, decisions of upping the number of women that serve in the military, selective service, military readiness in the Korean war, elements of certain policies of The Great Society, Civil rights legislation and she served as Assistant Secretary of Defense under Truman.
Anna Rosenberg served in national government under 4 presidents and under New York City government as an advisor and labor negotiator for 40 plus years. Her friends and associates read like a who's who of the mid 20TH century.
Christopher Gorman wrote this biography in a story like narrative that holds the readers interest . So many bio's are fact and dry excerpts from newspaper an magazine articles that usually take the reader down dead end alleys and half told stories. Gorman ,to his credit stayed away from a majority of things like this and presented Anna's life story in a much nicer and friendlier manner to the reader. It is well documented with 43 pages of notes and bibliography to reference for students and history buffs.
Recommended for history ,WWII, Korean War, and presidential enthusiasts. Warning: This is a very positive Biography Of Anna Rosenberg Hoffmann. There is very little dirt here . This is a book very much set up to be a movie someday.
4 stars out of 5 for THE CONFIDANTE by Christopher C. Gorman
This is one of those stories where the main character was involved in every single major decision and event for over 30 years. I am surprised there isn't yet a movie made about her. Anna had her hands on Social Security as its director, decisions of upping the number of women that serve in the military, selective service, military readiness in the Korean war, elements of certain policies of The Great Society, Civil rights legislation and she served as Assistant Secretary of Defense under Truman.
Anna Rosenberg served in national government under 4 presidents and under New York City government as an advisor and labor negotiator for 40 plus years. Her friends and associates read like a who's who of the mid 20TH century.
Christopher Gorman wrote this biography in a story like narrative that holds the readers interest . So many bio's are fact and dry excerpts from newspaper an magazine articles that usually take the reader down dead end alleys and half told stories. Gorman ,to his credit stayed away from a majority of things like this and presented Anna's life story in a much nicer and friendlier manner to the reader. It is well documented with 43 pages of notes and bibliography to reference for students and history buffs.
Recommended for history ,WWII, Korean War, and presidential enthusiasts. Warning: This is a very positive Biography Of Anna Rosenberg Hoffmann. There is very little dirt here . This is a book very much set up to be a movie someday.
4 stars out of 5 for THE CONFIDANTE by Christopher C. Gorman
February 24, 2023
The Confidante by Christopher C. Gorham is a book about Anna Rosenberg, who was called “the most important woman in the American government, and perhaps the most important official female in the world” by Life Magazine. If you love narrative nonfiction about strong yet unknown women from history, you must put this on your TBR!
Immigrating to America from Budapest as a teen, Anna worked on political campaigns and labor strikes in the New York City political machine. A fortuitous meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt led to a job with FDR, eventually making Anna the only woman in charge of implementing New Deal programs. She became a confidante of FDR, and he sent her to be his eyes and ears in war-torn Europe right after D-Day. It was during her time in the muck and mire with the soldiers that she realized what they all wanted upon return - a chance for an education - which led her to promote what would become the GI bill.
She had many duties during the war, including stopping strikes on the secretive Manhattan project. President Truman sent her back to Europe in 1945 where she was horrified by the recently freed concentration camps, and as the Assistant Secretary of Defense, she strapped on her boots again to travel to the Korean war zone, solving problems like the soldiers’ inadequate footwear. When you needed a job done and done right, Anna was the one to call.
I think my favorite stories were about her empathy. A mom to a young soldier herself, she kept meticulous notes about the hundreds of soldiers she interviewed and spent her own money making long-distance calls to their families upon her return. When she toured a factory, she took the time to show the exhausted workers how their small cog in the war machine made a huge difference in the soldiers’ lives. She saw each person as important and made sure to let them know.
This book is a highly readable and fascinating deep dive into an unsung hero, and I am so glad that Anna is finally getting her day in the spotlight! Thanks to Kensington Books for my ARC.
Immigrating to America from Budapest as a teen, Anna worked on political campaigns and labor strikes in the New York City political machine. A fortuitous meeting with Eleanor Roosevelt led to a job with FDR, eventually making Anna the only woman in charge of implementing New Deal programs. She became a confidante of FDR, and he sent her to be his eyes and ears in war-torn Europe right after D-Day. It was during her time in the muck and mire with the soldiers that she realized what they all wanted upon return - a chance for an education - which led her to promote what would become the GI bill.
She had many duties during the war, including stopping strikes on the secretive Manhattan project. President Truman sent her back to Europe in 1945 where she was horrified by the recently freed concentration camps, and as the Assistant Secretary of Defense, she strapped on her boots again to travel to the Korean war zone, solving problems like the soldiers’ inadequate footwear. When you needed a job done and done right, Anna was the one to call.
I think my favorite stories were about her empathy. A mom to a young soldier herself, she kept meticulous notes about the hundreds of soldiers she interviewed and spent her own money making long-distance calls to their families upon her return. When she toured a factory, she took the time to show the exhausted workers how their small cog in the war machine made a huge difference in the soldiers’ lives. She saw each person as important and made sure to let them know.
This book is a highly readable and fascinating deep dive into an unsung hero, and I am so glad that Anna is finally getting her day in the spotlight! Thanks to Kensington Books for my ARC.
February 23, 2023
The Confidante is a riveting memoir about a remarkable Jewish immigrant who tirelessly helped shape America. From humble beginnings in the Austro-Hungarian empire, Anna Rosenberg had a high school education (her lack of education bothered her), energy, spunk, compassion and perseverance. She took on anything which needed doing and was not above any task. She worked alongside presidents including Franklin Delano Roosevelt (his "Mrs. Fix-It") and Harry S. Truman as an advisor, advocate, negotiator and policy maker. Not only was she instrumental in the Manhattan Project and the Bill of Rights but also the first female Secretary of Defense. I like that she also placed importance on visiting soldiers.
Author Christopher C. Gorham writes beautifully about this virtually forgotten figure. His research makes her story come alive with wonderful spirit. She must have been a powerhouse to have impacted and accomplished so much, the ideal role model. To me she was a heroine. Truly inspiring.
Nonfiction and Memoir fans, this one is unmissable. Be sure to read the fascinating Acknowledgements.
My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this spellbinding book.
Author Christopher C. Gorham writes beautifully about this virtually forgotten figure. His research makes her story come alive with wonderful spirit. She must have been a powerhouse to have impacted and accomplished so much, the ideal role model. To me she was a heroine. Truly inspiring.
Nonfiction and Memoir fans, this one is unmissable. Be sure to read the fascinating Acknowledgements.
My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this spellbinding book.
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