If you were a young man growing up in NY, during the 1960's and 70's, and you were a Ranger fan, Eddie Giacomin was a hockey god to most of us. His popularity with the fans at Madison Square Garden during that era remains unmatched by any Ranger to this day[including Mark Messier]. This old-time fan can tell you not a home game went by, that the fans did not chant his name after making an acrobatic save or if he was nearing a shutout. His return to the Garden after the Rangers sold him to the last place Detroit Redwings in 1975 was and is one of the greatest moments in Ranger history. The crowd drowned out the national anthem chanting "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie", and they continued throughout the game as the Garden crowd turned on the rangers and rooted for Eddie and the Redwings. The Rangers pelted Giacomin with 46 Shots, but Giacomin walked away with a 6 to 4 victory and his pride intact. This is the story of Goalie from Sudbury Ontario who sharpened his skills playing in industrial leagues and spending several years in the minors[notably the Providence Reds], before making it to the pro's at the age of 25. Eddie Giacomin was elected to the HOF in June of 1987 and is only one of two players in Ranger history to have his number retired[Rod Gilbert is the other]. Eddie is the all-time Ranger leader in shutouts and is considered by most experts to be the greatest goalie in Ranger history. ... The book proves to be a wonderful read and a real profile in courage and determination that any young hockey fan would enjoy reading. To this day when I take in an occasional hockey game at the garden, I look up into the rafters and see #1 hanging proudly and fondly remember the chants of "Eddie,Eddie,Eddie".

but this book is the best of a small but special niche. Hugh Gallagher did a fine job & it is obvious from this book & television interviews he has given, that this is a subject he cares deeply about.
There was a conspiracy of silence among reporters & those close to FDR not to acknowledge his paralysis. This silence extended beyond his life to many books & even for a while, the memorial to him. He referred to his affliction maybe once in public late in his life.
The time he spent before & during his presidency rehabing in Warm Springs impacted on him in important ways. A strong bond developed between him, the people of Warm Springs & his fellow patients. That perhaps is the silver lining to his polio: the contact he had with ordinary folks he would never have meet, never would have had anything in common with except his disease.
I think Mr. Gallagher might agree that being stricken with polio was the defining event of FDR's life. Before he was a political lightweight. He was a handsome, charming politician who thought he might like to be president someday. After, he became wiser, more sober yet still charming, less arrogant, more compassionate & a traitor to his upper class breeding. He became stronger, much stronger as a man. The strength he gained from this ordeal contributed greatly to his becoming president & eventually leader of the free world. An important work to read to get the whole Roosevelt.

Countless biographies have been written about the nation's 32nd President, but few devote more than a chapter or passing reference to FDR's battle with Polio. Mr. Gallagher's book is a rare and important one in illustrating what his day-to-day struggle was like. He details FDR's carefully-orchestrated public appearances which, for the country, maintained the illusion that their President could actually walk.

While I found the book to be inspirational, perhaps the most fascinating realization was the respect of the media in maintaining this illusion. For instance, we learn that of the thousands of photos taken of Roosevelt, only a couple exist that show him in his wheelchair. In an age where every aspect of a President's health and private life are scrutinized, this book allows us to ask the uneasy question of whether one of our greatest Presidents could ever have been elected today. You don't have to be a history buff to appreciate the value of this book; I highly recommend it.

I am pleased to see this book back in print. Mr. Gallagher's book is excellent, and a great read for history buffs and those who lived through the Polio epidemics, or want to see what it was like. I had Polio in 1953, and didn't realize FDR had Polio until much later. I never knew until I read this book that FDR wore braces on both legs (my brace was right leg only), and that FDR never walked unassisted (as I was able to do). We both had great upper arm strength, better for a guy than a girl! FDR deceived not only me, but everyone. And, it is good to know the whole story as presented by Mr. Gallagher in his great book. I am pleased to add it to my library.