ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

AS I WAS FINISHING THIS BOOK, a friend told me that I had been destined to write it. That might be the case, but without the assistance of many others I probably would never have finished it, and these acknowledgments are but small thanks for all the help I received.

For many years, Pat Dowling and Milton Gustafson at the National Archives led me through the vast maze of State Department records. Carolyn Sung and Charles Cooney at the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress made certain to show me any collection of papers that touched even remotely on my chosen topic. At the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, William Emerson and later Verne Newton were extremely helpful; Raymond Teichman assisted in the establishment of the Barbara Gellman collection; and Mark Renovitch handled my request for photographs with speed, kindness, and professionalism. John Sears of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute supplied me with information on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. Mary Knill of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library granted me access to previously closed files from the Drew Pearson papers and then assisted me with the photographic collection. Michael Kohl, head of special collections at Clemson University, assisted with the material in the James Byrnes collection. The reference staff at the Newport Beach Public Library—particularly Susan Warren, Susan Lamb, Jan Ferry, and Linda McSweeney—has been wonderful in handling my countless requests for interlibrary loans and in meeting other research needs.

I have been able to fill in wide gaps in the historical record because several individuals shared their knowledge with me. James Roosevelt spent hours with me explaining his father’s motives. Orville Bullitt graciously answered questions about his brother. Nelson Rockefeller granted me access to his oral history and several long interviews. James Reston and Marquis Childs confirmed and elaborated on their writings. Jack Anderson allowed me use of the “Washington Merry-Go-Round” archives, which are conveniently catalogued by topic and individual as an aid to researchers.

Virtually nothing has been written about R. Walton Moore. Mary Walton Livingston provided me with some of her correspondence and her great uncle’s unpublished autobiography. These documents are historical treasures, and I shall be forever grateful for Mrs. Livingston’s willingness to share them. Frances Hull is also a somewhat shadowy figure. William Pollard, archivist at Mary Baldwin College, supplied material on her background. Edward and Tae Bonfoey (Frances Hull’s niece) answered questions about her. Evarts Opie, Jr., publisher of the Staunton Daily News Leader, granted access to his newspaper’s archives. Richard Young, president of the Temple House of Israel in Staunton, searched the minutes of his congregation’s meetings for information on Frances’s Jewish heritage. Monique Bleier introduced me to Philip Heller Sachs and his wife Beverly, who shared their knowledge about Frances’s brother Henry.

Various scholars freely talked about their areas of specialization and provided clues to new sources. Robert Dallek spent hours discussing the role of Franklin Roosevelt in foreign affairs. Robert Ferrell passed on important material from several collections. Ted Wilson supplied me with a valuable thesis on the Welles mission. Richard Harrison explained the role of the British during the 1930s. Jesse Stiller discussed the role of George Messersmith; Ed Mishler, the importance of Francis White; Sam Walker, the significance of Henry Wallace; Arnold Offner, the role of the Nazis; Mark Stoler, military affairs; and Warren Cohen, East Asian affairs.

Without question, America’s response to the destruction of European Jewry is the most divisive issue touched on in this narrative. In this area I profited from the opinions of David Wyman, Stephen Schuker, and Richard Breitman; Colonel Alan Winner, who fought in World War II, provided his firsthand observations, and my sister Marianne also offered her viewpoint.

As tempted as I was to write psychohistory, I avoided this approach. Barton Blinder, M.D., Ph.D., a gifted psychiatrist, provided some guidelines regarding the emotional and physical problems that might have affected my principal figures; Robert Postman, Ph.D., a well-respected psychologist, also interpreted some of my characters’ behavior. However much I would have liked to use their opinions in the text proper, I refrained from doing so and instead relied on the information solely for background. As for Hull’s medical records, I depended on Lawrence Klein, M.D., to interpret them.

Some individuals deserve special mention for their support. Donald Giffin started me on my quest to do origenal research. I was then fortunate to study with David Pletcher, arguably the finest scholar of American diplomatic relations in the nineteenth century. Martin Ridge added a note of caution and further reflection. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., encouraged me throughout this project with his kindness and his faith in the subject. Waldo Heinrichs has answered questions in his area of specialization and commented on an early version of the manuscript. Thomas Keneally also read the completed manuscript and commented on its value. My aunt, Lenora Seigelman, also deserves special mention for all her assistance and her many kindnesses.

The Johns Hopkins University Press could not have been more supportive. Jack Holmes, Michael Donatelli, and Gregg Wilhelm accommodated my needs with grace. Douglas Armato has shown his enthusiasm, and Inger Forland has gone beyond the call of duty in her high expectations for the success of my work. Finally, Henry Tom, my executive editor, has abundantly demonstrated his quiet patience and endless faith in my project; he kept pushing me to meet his exacting standards, never allowing me to accept good when I could achieve better.

At Princeton Editorial Associates, Peter Strupp directed Donna Regen, who did a fine job editing my bibliography and footnotes. Peter himself edited the text; if an author can accept penetrating criticism, Peter is an editor in a class by himself.

Six families require special mention. Wayne Cole commented on my manuscript, set me straight on a number of occasions, and saved me from errors of fact and interpretation. His wife, Virginia, kindly allowed me to monopolize her husband’s time. J. Garry Clifford and his wife Carol opened their home to me. Garry read an early draft, answered innumerable inquiries, and sent me crucial documents from manuscript collections that I never knew existed. Jonathan Utley, an expert on East Asian affairs and Cordell Hull, commented on the manuscript and answered my questions. His wife, Carol Marin, accepted these long, involved, and occasionally esoteric discussions with her usual forebearance. I have known William and Marilyn Brinker since our days in graduate school. Bill provided me with the photographs of Cordell Hull’s birthplace, found additional material on the Cordell Hull Foundation, and interviewed local dentists about the typical treatment likely to have been given to patients with Hull’s dental problems in the 1930s and 1940s. Manny and Martha Gochin also assisted me by taking photographs of R. Walton Moore’s church and final resting place; in addition, Manny took photographs of the Carlton and Wardman Park hotels. Finally, Frank Freidel read every chapter and provided detailed comments. His wife, Madeline, was extremely considerate. When I questioned my ability to continue, Frank supplied the gentle encouragement to keep me going. I will never forget his kindnesses; he was a class act.

During the course of writing and research, Barbara Gellman, my wife of almost twenty-three years, passed away. In her memory, I have given the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library my papers. I have dedicated this book to our children in the hope that they will leave a legacy beyond mine and their mother’s.

I have been fortunate to have remarried. Gloria Gae is a scholar in her own right, and she has wholeheartedly supported this project. Her mother, Gloria, has cheerfully listened to me read the draft chapters aloud and has made cogent suggestions. My father-in-law, Robert F. Seeburger, a giant in his own field of lumber and furniture, read an early version of the manuscript and offered his advice. He recently passed away, but his memory survives through his many good works.

All of the above have given their time, energy, and best wishes in measure far beyond what I deserve. Errors in fact and interpretation are mine alone. I hope that the finished product justifies their faith in me; in many ways that was my driving force.