Witness to History: Recollections of a WWII Photographer - Softcover

Hopkins, Robert

9780965386944: Witness to History: Recollections of a WWII Photographer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0965386945 ISBN 13: 9780965386944

Publisher: Castle Pacific Pub Co, 2003

In September 1945, President Truman awarded Harry Hopkins with the Distinguished Service Medal, then the highest award the War Department could confer on a civilian. Hopkins first gained notice as the capable head of President Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. He later served as one of FDR's primary advisor during WWII, leading such critical efforts as the Lend-Lease program, the Munitions Assignment Board, and the Soviet Protocol Committee. Harry's son Robert, modest and unassuming, enlisted in the army despite his father's social and political position. He was treated skeptically at first by his fellow soldiers, but gained their respect and admiration over time as a brave infantryman and a talented photographer. Robert maintained close ties with his father and with other

prominent social and political figures during his wartime service. This book is a memorable record of those years, showing a warm, personal side to famous figures that in many cases has not yet been portrayed in the historical record.

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About the Author:

Robert Hopkins, son of FDR advisor Harry Hopkins, served as a US Army photographer during WWII. Afterward, he worked with famed film producers at 20th Century Fox, then served with the Marshall Plan in Paris as a producer of documentary radio programs describing the accomplishments of this vast economic program. In this endeavor, he worked closely with his friend, Ambassador Averell Harriman.

When the Marshall Plan ended, Robert spent two years traveling through France with his wife Brenda while writing a guide book to France for Fodor’s.

During the Cold War, with good command of French and broad international contacts, he applied for a job with the CIA. He was accepted and was active in Europe, South America, and Washington, DC. He retired from the CIA in 1980.

After his retirement from government service, Robert worked for several years as a political consultant for Transnational Executive Service, which had commercial clients with large business interests and investments. He is currently president of the Harry Hopkins Public Service Institute, a nonprofit organization designed to focus attention on the kind of dedicated public service personified by his father.

Brenda and Robert had one son, Sean, who was born in Buenos Aires in 1964. He died 26 years later of complications from AIDS. Robert wrote a book about his son's life and his ordeal with AIDS, entitled "Sean's Legacy: An AIDS Awakening," which was published by Triumph Books in 1996.

Brenda was actively involved in raising funds for AIDS research. She passed away in January 2002, after 58 years of marriage to Robert. Robert still resides in their long-time home in Washington, DC, where he is writing a book about Brenda’s life.

Review:

"A rare close-up look at the dynamic duo [of FDR and Harry Hopkins]....This books is a historical treasure." -- Douglas Brinkley, Director, Eisenhower Center for American Studies

"Honest, forthright, unpretentious, and readable...[with] vivid glimpses of the great at work..[and a] wealth of historic [unpublished] photographs." -- Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Historian

"[An] absolutely wonderful book, written with warmth, sensitiviy, and style.... His beautifully told tale...leaves a lasting impression." -- Doris Kearns Goodwin, Historian and Biographer

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