Many of us know the journalist and author I.F. Stone for his broadsides opposing government corruption and incompetence. This volume shows that Stone, who also wrote "The Trial of Socrates," more recently, can serve as a capable chronicler and economic analyst of important events during a crucial period of American history. This book examines how adept F.D.R. was in trying to arm an economically weakened nation to counter the rise of Fascism as an armed aggressor in Europe. Even though Alcoa aluminum had a total grip on bauxite production, F.D.R. still managed to get the aircraft manufacturers to honor his, FDR's, commitment to build 50,000 warplanes during 1941. Also, present at this time was to raise the wages and job protections of America's African-American workers, and to get domestic manufacturers to surrender a portion of their productive power to arm the country in aircraft, ships, and vehicles. While it is a little unnerving at times to read this book of collected columns by Stone during these years, as he skip between the politics, the players, and the businesses involved, it is a worthwhile read. Also, while Stone thought that Wallace was the most farsighted politician in America for the period, he did see worth and value in backing Truman as Roosevelt's last Vice-Presidential pick. -Abbot G.