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One Ordinary Man: A novel based on the true story of Harry Hopkins
by Steve Vesce
ASIN: B0FTMVW16Q
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“Vesce…manages to pique reader interest through his passionate dedication to historical detail…. he knows how to spin a good historical yarn. Vesce’s larger-than-life portrait of Hopkins reminds that there really is some truth to the whole “Greatest Generation”…. - Kirkus Reviews
One Ordinary Man is a historically accurate novel about the inspiring, surprising, and remarkable true story of Harry L. Hopkins—one ordinary man who grew from obscurity to play a leading and pivotal role in helping America overcome the Great Depression, defeat Fascism, and win World War II.
One Ordinary Man is a vibrant, witty, and captivating story that is at once, both human and larger than life. A story that captures the times, adversity, and incredible accomplishments of a largely forgotten American hero whose abiding faith in America and its democracy drove him to overcome incredible odds and lift his country up from the darkest depths of its Great Depression to victory in World War II.
There is no surprise ending in One Ordinary Man. The story itself is the surprise. And Hopkins’s story delivers a steady stream of new discoveries about America and his achievements.Read moreReview"Beginning with page one of the novel, One Ordinary Man, I recognized the importance of this book... It is not only historically accurate, but it also reveals the author's knowledge of the major players on the world stage, especially Harry Hopkins. I could hear the echoes of my grandfather's voice in the words Steve Vesce put in his mouth and I recognized the familiar tone of the conversations he creates. His descriptions of my grandfather's interactions with world figures as well as family members all ring true... my grandfather came to life for me...a fascinating read from cover to cover."
Dr. June Hopkins
Harry Hopkins's Granddaughter
Professor of History, Emerita
Author: Harry Hopkins and The Grand Alliance of the Second World War;
Harry Hopkins: Sudden Hero, Brash Reformer; Jewish First Wife, Divorced: The Correspondence of Ethel Gross and Harry Hopkins (co-edited with Allison Giffen)
__________
"Vesce...manages to pique reader interest through his passionate dedication to historical detail.... he knows how to spin a good historical yarn. Vesce's larger-than-life portrait of Hopkins reminds that there really is some truth to the whole "Greatest Generation..."
Kirkus Reviews
__________
"Steve Vesce's 'One Ordinary Man' is a wonderful gift to us... a fascinating page-turner of a read... This story serves to remind us of a time past when brilliance, tireless dedication and self-sacrifice could make the world a better and safer place... Read this book for inspiration and hope that there are still such men and women out there to lead us to a better future.
David Heiman
Retired Management and Practice Leader Partner
Jones Day, a global law firm
__________
"There is nothing ordinary about the Man and nothing ordinary about the Book. As a lifelong history buff, One Ordinary Man elevated my love of history to a new level. It's like a time machine. I actually felt like I was there with Harry. Steve's writing is bold and brilliant."
Bob Trimper
Retired President, Rank Xerox, Middle East Africa
Retired Chairman Comstec, UK
__________
Steve Vesce's first novel is a cinematic piece of historical fiction about Harry Hopkins.... It's a smooth read, which is calling for a smart producer to turn into a film. Enjoy this story about the FDR era, and you'll inevitably contrast it with what's going on today.
Michael Hirsh
Author/Journalist
__________
"This captivating historical novel brings Harry Hopkins, one of the country's greatest unsung heroes, to life.... It is rare to read a book that is, in equal measure, so factual yet so enjoyable."
Judge Thomas A Wallitsch (ret.)
"One Ordinary Man tells the life story of Harry Hopkins in a way that feels both intimate and sweeping. The book opens with a touching prologue about Hopkins's son meeting Winston Churchill, and then drops the reader straight into the turmoil of the Great Depression, where Hopkins begins his rise as Franklin Roosevelt's trusted problem solver. The early chapters lay out the stakes with clear urgency. Americans are hungry, the economy is broken, and Hopkins storms into Washington determined to help ordinary people find work again. The writing blends historical detail with fictional color, and the story moves fast, jumping from train stations filled with despair to backroom political battles that shaped modern America. It is a story about duty, grit, and a man who constantly drove himself forward even as his health failed him.
I found myself caught up in the rhythm of the writing. It moves with a kind of pulse that mirrors Hopkins's own restless energy. Scenes come alive with sharp little details that stick with you. The smell of Hoovervilles, the clatter of trains, the tension in overheated government rooms. I felt pulled along, sometimes faster than I expected, and I enjoyed that sense of motion. I also liked how the dialogue feels plainspoken and direct. It gives the characters a human quality that grounds the high stakes of the era. I did catch myself wanting a breather here and there. The narrative rarely slows. Still, that speed gives the story a sense of immediacy that worked for me, especially when Hopkins squares off with political opponents or barrels into new crises without hesitation.
The story keeps circling back to public service and sacrifice, and the emotional weight builds slowly. Hopkins is shown as flawed, stubborn, loyal, and deeply committed to helping people who have nothing left. I felt a quiet sadness beneath many scenes, especially the ones that remind you he pushed himself far past what his body could take. The foreword hints at this, and the novel delivers on it. I also appreciated the attention to the political climate of the time. It is unsettling to see how familiar some of the fears and arguments feel today. The book makes that point without lecturing. It just shows men trying to hold a country together and lets the reader sit with the echoes.
I would recommend One Ordinary Man to readers who enjoy historical fiction that feels close to real life. It is especially well-suited for anyone interested in the Roosevelt years, political leadership, or the hidden work behind major turning points in history. The story is lively, heartfelt, and often moving, and it paints a portrait of a man who shaped the world from behind the curtain while never thinking of himself as anything special." - 5 Stars - Literary TitanFrom the AuthorResearching this novel, was a rewarding journey of discovery. Though I had read about FDR's presidency and Harry Hopkins many times over the years, I gained a deeper appreciation of this remarkable American hero while preparing a lecture about him several years ago. This historical and biographical novel was born out of the research for that lecture.
After months of research, it became clear to me that Hopkins's story was the story of the hero's journey. He was one ordinary man with extraordinary talent and grit, who journeyed from obscurity to a place behind the wizard's curtain to pull the levers that helped America overcome the Great Depression, defeat fascism, and win World War II.
I am grateful and fortunate for the time and opportunity to share Harry Hopkins's remarkable story with a new generation.About the AuthorSteve Vesce is a successful entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for Modern U.S. and European History. He was the Founder and CEO of three pioneering companies, and has given more than a dozen seminars on the people, events, and issues that impacted America leading up to and including World War II. One Ordinary Man is his first novel.From the Back CoverOne Ordinary Man is a historically accurate novel about the inspiring, surprising, and remarkable true story of Harry L. Hopkins—one ordinary man who grew from obscurity to play a leading and pivotal role in helping America overcome the Great Depression, defeat Fascism, and win World War II.
One Ordinary Man is vibrant, witty, and captivating story that is at once, both human and larger than life. A story that captures the times, adversity, and incredible accomplishments of a largely forgotten American hero whose abiding faith in America and its democracy drove him to overcome incredible odds and lift his country up from the darkest depths of its Great Depression to victory in World War II.
There is no surprise ending in One Ordinary Man. The story itself is the surprise. And Hopkins's story delivers a steady stream of new discoveries about America and his achievements.--This text refers to the paperback edition.Read more
One Ordinary Man is a historically accurate novel about the inspiring, surprising, and remarkable true story of Harry L. Hopkins—one ordinary man who grew from obscurity to play a leading and pivotal role in helping America overcome the Great Depression, defeat Fascism, and win World War II.
One Ordinary Man is a vibrant, witty, and captivating story that is at once, both human and larger than life. A story that captures the times, adversity, and incredible accomplishments of a largely forgotten American hero whose abiding faith in America and its democracy drove him to overcome incredible odds and lift his country up from the darkest depths of its Great Depression to victory in World War II.
There is no surprise ending in One Ordinary Man. The story itself is the surprise. And Hopkins’s story delivers a steady stream of new discoveries about America and his achievements.Read moreReview"Beginning with page one of the novel, One Ordinary Man, I recognized the importance of this book... It is not only historically accurate, but it also reveals the author's knowledge of the major players on the world stage, especially Harry Hopkins. I could hear the echoes of my grandfather's voice in the words Steve Vesce put in his mouth and I recognized the familiar tone of the conversations he creates. His descriptions of my grandfather's interactions with world figures as well as family members all ring true... my grandfather came to life for me...a fascinating read from cover to cover."
Dr. June Hopkins
Harry Hopkins's Granddaughter
Professor of History, Emerita
Author: Harry Hopkins and The Grand Alliance of the Second World War;
Harry Hopkins: Sudden Hero, Brash Reformer; Jewish First Wife, Divorced: The Correspondence of Ethel Gross and Harry Hopkins (co-edited with Allison Giffen)
__________
"Vesce...manages to pique reader interest through his passionate dedication to historical detail.... he knows how to spin a good historical yarn. Vesce's larger-than-life portrait of Hopkins reminds that there really is some truth to the whole "Greatest Generation..."
Kirkus Reviews
__________
"Steve Vesce's 'One Ordinary Man' is a wonderful gift to us... a fascinating page-turner of a read... This story serves to remind us of a time past when brilliance, tireless dedication and self-sacrifice could make the world a better and safer place... Read this book for inspiration and hope that there are still such men and women out there to lead us to a better future.
David Heiman
Retired Management and Practice Leader Partner
Jones Day, a global law firm
__________
"There is nothing ordinary about the Man and nothing ordinary about the Book. As a lifelong history buff, One Ordinary Man elevated my love of history to a new level. It's like a time machine. I actually felt like I was there with Harry. Steve's writing is bold and brilliant."
Bob Trimper
Retired President, Rank Xerox, Middle East Africa
Retired Chairman Comstec, UK
__________
Steve Vesce's first novel is a cinematic piece of historical fiction about Harry Hopkins.... It's a smooth read, which is calling for a smart producer to turn into a film. Enjoy this story about the FDR era, and you'll inevitably contrast it with what's going on today.
Michael Hirsh
Author/Journalist
__________
"This captivating historical novel brings Harry Hopkins, one of the country's greatest unsung heroes, to life.... It is rare to read a book that is, in equal measure, so factual yet so enjoyable."
Judge Thomas A Wallitsch (ret.)
"One Ordinary Man tells the life story of Harry Hopkins in a way that feels both intimate and sweeping. The book opens with a touching prologue about Hopkins's son meeting Winston Churchill, and then drops the reader straight into the turmoil of the Great Depression, where Hopkins begins his rise as Franklin Roosevelt's trusted problem solver. The early chapters lay out the stakes with clear urgency. Americans are hungry, the economy is broken, and Hopkins storms into Washington determined to help ordinary people find work again. The writing blends historical detail with fictional color, and the story moves fast, jumping from train stations filled with despair to backroom political battles that shaped modern America. It is a story about duty, grit, and a man who constantly drove himself forward even as his health failed him.
I found myself caught up in the rhythm of the writing. It moves with a kind of pulse that mirrors Hopkins's own restless energy. Scenes come alive with sharp little details that stick with you. The smell of Hoovervilles, the clatter of trains, the tension in overheated government rooms. I felt pulled along, sometimes faster than I expected, and I enjoyed that sense of motion. I also liked how the dialogue feels plainspoken and direct. It gives the characters a human quality that grounds the high stakes of the era. I did catch myself wanting a breather here and there. The narrative rarely slows. Still, that speed gives the story a sense of immediacy that worked for me, especially when Hopkins squares off with political opponents or barrels into new crises without hesitation.
The story keeps circling back to public service and sacrifice, and the emotional weight builds slowly. Hopkins is shown as flawed, stubborn, loyal, and deeply committed to helping people who have nothing left. I felt a quiet sadness beneath many scenes, especially the ones that remind you he pushed himself far past what his body could take. The foreword hints at this, and the novel delivers on it. I also appreciated the attention to the political climate of the time. It is unsettling to see how familiar some of the fears and arguments feel today. The book makes that point without lecturing. It just shows men trying to hold a country together and lets the reader sit with the echoes.
I would recommend One Ordinary Man to readers who enjoy historical fiction that feels close to real life. It is especially well-suited for anyone interested in the Roosevelt years, political leadership, or the hidden work behind major turning points in history. The story is lively, heartfelt, and often moving, and it paints a portrait of a man who shaped the world from behind the curtain while never thinking of himself as anything special." - 5 Stars - Literary TitanFrom the AuthorResearching this novel, was a rewarding journey of discovery. Though I had read about FDR's presidency and Harry Hopkins many times over the years, I gained a deeper appreciation of this remarkable American hero while preparing a lecture about him several years ago. This historical and biographical novel was born out of the research for that lecture.
After months of research, it became clear to me that Hopkins's story was the story of the hero's journey. He was one ordinary man with extraordinary talent and grit, who journeyed from obscurity to a place behind the wizard's curtain to pull the levers that helped America overcome the Great Depression, defeat fascism, and win World War II.
I am grateful and fortunate for the time and opportunity to share Harry Hopkins's remarkable story with a new generation.About the AuthorSteve Vesce is a successful entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for Modern U.S. and European History. He was the Founder and CEO of three pioneering companies, and has given more than a dozen seminars on the people, events, and issues that impacted America leading up to and including World War II. One Ordinary Man is his first novel.From the Back CoverOne Ordinary Man is a historically accurate novel about the inspiring, surprising, and remarkable true story of Harry L. Hopkins—one ordinary man who grew from obscurity to play a leading and pivotal role in helping America overcome the Great Depression, defeat Fascism, and win World War II.
One Ordinary Man is vibrant, witty, and captivating story that is at once, both human and larger than life. A story that captures the times, adversity, and incredible accomplishments of a largely forgotten American hero whose abiding faith in America and its democracy drove him to overcome incredible odds and lift his country up from the darkest depths of its Great Depression to victory in World War II.
There is no surprise ending in One Ordinary Man. The story itself is the surprise. And Hopkins's story delivers a steady stream of new discoveries about America and his achievements.--This text refers to the paperback edition.Read more