brief synopsis: biography of Anna Rosenberg, a Jewish-American immigrant woman who served as Assistant Secretary of Defense in the 1950s.
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engaging and well-written. covers significant portions of elite modern political history.
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notable quotation: “for four presidents and three decades she could walk into the White House or phone the president with ease”
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in addition to antisemitism, and bigotry toward AR’s last name, I’d like to know more re: how being Jewish affected her experiences. further, I have some challenges to the interpretation of FP- maybe we can discuss at author events.
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overall, proud to see an engaging & important read from a fellow high school history teacher at the same imprint from our shared publisher!

What a remarkable and inspiring story. An engaging read, well written, on a woman who deserves a spotlight.

Another amazing woman who was left out of history only to be forgotten, this is the story of the woman who helped win the war and many other things that men usually will erase and take credit for it.

I've read numerous stories of magnificent women who were very important during crucial times in our history. Still, as always the central theme about all these stories is men taking credit for what they didn't do and erasing all information and distinction and work any women may have done to win the war or any political agenda but even if they keep trying to erase all the magnificent work all these women did WE remember so we're going to keep spreading this books and words all around until men finally recognize the work of all these powerful women who were left out of history.

This is the story of Anna Rosenberg who helped America to be what it is today, yesssss you read that right a woman who helped to shape this country and was never recognized for it in a terrible men's world, you can re-read my last paragraph a few 100 times to let it sink.

Annas' stories begin as a negotiator of many situations that were taking place, she is one of those heroines who helped so much but was left out of every single book because it didn't suit the losers aka the men in this world who constantly feel intimidated by the work many women had done during many centuries.

Anna was a close friend of Elenor Roselvet who helped her to have more contacts and relationships in a men's world calling her "a woman who penetrated the ‘old boy network’ through her ability, friendship with men of influence, and force of personality.".

In October 1945, Anna was the first recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I think it was the first time a man recognized what Anna did, that was the case of President Truman, who recognized Anna as the one who helped many.

I can keep writing about what Anna did and was left out of our history, How many times she encountered nazis and many people who didn't like Jews. but what I really like about Anna more than all the amazing things she did, was her strength, and her dedication, she was a true heroine of this world, no matter how much they tried to sabotage her work she was a true beacon of light.

she was a magnificent heroine in my eyes, she was a determined woman, strong and convincing, and she was one of those people who really deserve to be recognized and put in every book.

Overall the confidante was a great book, I really enjoy it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Books, Citadel for the advanced copy of The Confidante in exchange for my honest review.

I had never heard of this woman before. I found that she made many contributions to modern day America. However, I felt like this story was drawn out! Still, I recommend this for fans of Eleanor Roosevelt!

Christopher C. Gorham brings Anna M. Rosenberg to life in The Confidante. A Hungarian Jewish immigrant who never went to college, Rosenberg still became a keystone of the labor movements of the twentieth century, with incredibly powerful roles in four presidencies, the Great Depression, and two wars. Rosenberg’s life challenges the reader’s expectations of women from the mid-twentieth century, and she dismantles the “boys’ club” atmosphere of mid-twentieth century American history and politics. Full of personable details, a myriad of critical historical figures and events, and supported by her personal papers and the papers of others who met her, Gorham creates a fantastically detailed narrative of one of history’s many unsung, unacknowledged women. Between Anna M. Rosenberg’s frankly incredible life and Gorham’s prose, this book is a fantastic, well-written, and engaging story that reads more like a novel than a biography. Gorham certainly does Rosenberg justice in this book, highlighting her key contributions to American labor movements, civil rights, military reform, and so much more. Perhaps the most fascinating part of Anna M. Rosenberg’s story is her ability to see the individual and the big picture, and her ability to address both with one telephone call or scribble of a pen. Gorham perfectly describes this fascinating woman in The Confidante in such a way as to bring her into the spotlight of mid-twentieth century America.

Fascinating account of the professional life of Anna Rosenberg, a Hungarian immigrant with a high school education, who became a labor mediator, campaign advisor, and public servant. She was a personal advisor to FDR before serving under Truman and Eisenhower. It’s embarrassing to admit that if I learned about her, I forgot; her contributions to American history are significant. This non-fiction book is an easy, fascinating read. #TheConfidante #NetGalley

I knew nothing of Ms. Rosenberg prior to reading this book but I am so intrigued to learn more. I know very little about the administration side of things during FDR’s many years as leader, but this was an excellent journey through a side of history that is often overlooked.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This fascinating and thorough biography of Anna M. Rosenberg highlights her incredible impact on the United States military, social security/social services, and labor movement. Her uncanny ability to bridge divisions and build relationships with multiple presidents beginning with FDR. Deep explorations highlight her ability to forge relationships and create partnerships in places and spaces women weren’t usually even admitted into the room. She had the ear of several presidents and prominent military leaders throughout her government career, and even in her worst times, she had loyal support from business magnates, presidents, and generals alike.

An Immigrant Woman in America’s Inner Circles

Anna Marie Rosenberg became one of the most influential women in the United States during the middle of the 20th Century. An advisor to Presidents who shaped public policy from the New Deal to the Cold War, she is almost entirely forgotten today.

“The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America,” by Christopher C. Gorham is a first biography of this influential woman. It recounts a life that should be better known today.

Born Anna Marie Lederer, in Budapest, Hungary, she moved to New York City with her mother and younger sister in 1912 to join her father, who arrived there in 1910. There, Gorham shows, she became the classic American immigrant success story.

She made her mark early, mediating a student strike during World War I while attending Wadleigh High School for Girls. While still in high school she married Julius Rosenberg, a World War I veteran she met as a pen pal.

As a suffragette, she became involved in New York City Democratic politics. She launched that into a career in public relations and as a labor relations mediator. She gained a reputation for fair dealing, respected by labor and management alike.

Despite her foreign origins and her Jewish background, she was soon accepted as a member of the then-WASPish upper echelons of American public life, becoming close to Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, and making friends across party lines and social lines.

When Roosevelt became President, he enlisted Rosenberg to help with the New Deal, using her in senior positions in National Industrial Recovery Act and Social Security, the only woman at those levels. During World War II she became one of Roosevelt’s troubleshooters, calming race relations, and running different offices dealing with manpower.

In 1944 Roosevelt sent her to Europe to investigate demobilization issues. She helped create the GI Bill. Later she would become Assistant Secretary of Defense under Truman during the Korean War, despite opposition by Joe McCarthy.

Despite her accomplishments, she fell out of step with the Democratic Party as it lurched left in the 1960s. That combined with her writing no memoirs (and documenting little of her career) led to obscurity as the century ended.

Gorham’s biography may help restore her to public consciousness. Although he provides a comprehensive account of her career, “The Confidante” is also a human and intimate portrait of a remarkable woman.

“The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America,” by Christopher C. Gorham, Citadel, 2023, 384 pages, $28.00 (Hardcover), $23.80 (Ebook), $18.37 (Audiobook)
This review was written by Mark Lardas, who writes at Ricochet as Seawriter. Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, historian, and model-maker, lives in League City, TX. His website is marklardas.com.

5 stars!!

What a gem of a book about a woman that America SHOULD know about, but doesn't! I wish I had been taught about her in history class!

Deeply researched, Anna's life is truly incredible. She was involved with so many historical moments. The writing style is not like a novel, so be prepared to really dig in! I found Anna to be completely fascinating. Reading about all the significant events through her role made them come to life. I learned so much more than just about one woman.

Highly recommend for more "readerly" book clubs, those interested in history overall, biographies, or asocial science classes (higher level high school or college).

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Anna Rosenberg may not be well know today but we, as a country, owe her a lot. At one time she was as famous as Eleanor Roosevelt and she was FDR's confidante. Today her name may not be known to many but she left her mark on labor negotiations, Social Security and how America rallied to win the war. She was involved with the New Deal and including woman in the war effort. She became the Assistant Secretary of Defense and was the first to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Both labor and big business trusted her when she worked to negotiate deals between them. Anna Rosenberg was a force to be reckoned with and we have much to thank her for.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Going into this book I had no idea who Anna Rosenberg was, none. Other figures from the WWII era and up I knew either from learning about them in school or hearing my parents talk about that time. They did not mention Anna Rosenberg.
What an incredible life! Friends to both Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, she was his right hand man and was slated to be Secretary of Defense in the 1950s, no woman had ever held an office that high.
I highly recommend this book to everyone. Everyone needs to read and learn about this fascinating woman and the incredible role she played in our history.
Thank you to Kensington Books and Net Galley for the free ARC, I am freely leaving my honest review.

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America by Christopher C. Gorham is a biography of Anna Marie Rosenberg, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant who worked behind the scenes to help millions of Americans and the American armed forces through legislation, competence, and leadership. Mr. Gorham is a lawyer and educator; this is his first book.

It’s extremely strange how I don’t remember the name Anna Rosenberg from all my reading about the World Wars. I vaguely remember her name mentioned when, during one of our summer road trips, we stopped at Oyster Bay to visit FDR’s house, and stopped by Val-Kil, Elenore Roosevelt’s, cottage as well.

The Confidante by Christopher C. Gorham tells of the influence of Anna Rosenberg had due to her intelligence, wit, and organization skills. Even though she came from a poor Jewish immigrant family, had no education beyond high-school, and was not a member of the East Coast aristocracy, Mrs. Rosenberg managed to create a successful consulting business. She got involved in political campaigns and was so good that even the opposition was impressed, along the way she made many contacts in the New York political scene.

Mrs. Rosenberg went on to work for FDR’s administration, a time when women, if they were even hired, were relegated to secretarial roles. She, however, became a pivotal figure in the administration, pushing forward social safety nets, anti-racism legislation, the G.I. Bill among others. During World War II, she was instrumental in labor issues for the war effort, and later responsible for “war mobilization and peacetime conversion.”

As FDR’s representative to the European Theater, she was instrumental in the civil-military relationships and built her reputation as a smart, honest, capable, and caring administrator. Later on she helped the demobilization of the troops and integrate them back into society after years of war. General George Marshall was so impressed by Anna Rosenberg that he nominated her to be his new Assistant Secretary of Defense of Manpower and Personnel, which riled up the anti-Semites in Congress, including Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-WI) she was, however, confirmed. At her new job, Mrs. Rosenberg called on the military to integrate, as well as recruit more women. She was also the first American Citizen to receive the Medal of Freedom from President Truman (at the request of General Eisenhower).

The book certainly does a great job telling of the amazing life of Anna Rosenberg. Mr. Gorham knows where to veer off to give context to history, and when to get back to his subject. I’m astounded that, as pivotal as she was, Mrs. Rosenberg almost disappeared from American history – but maybe that’s just the way she wanted it?

Gorham writes a biography about an influential woman who aid the ear of FDR.
I had never heard of Anna Rosenberg so finding out about her made for an Interesting read.
Instilled with great patriotism from her father, Anna guided labor relations and legislation for decades.
This book is a good contribution to the contstantly expansive women’s history.

The Confidante is a riveting memoir about a remarkable Jewish immigrant who tirelessly helped shape America. From humble beginnings in the Austro-Hungarian empire, Anna Rosenberg had a high school education (her lack of education bothered her), energy, spunk, compassion and perseverance. She took on anything which needed doing and was not above any task. She worked alongside presidents including Franklin Delano Roosevelt (his "Mrs. Fix-It") and Harry S. Truman as an advisor, advocate, negotiator and policy maker. Not only was she instrumental in the Manhattan Project and the Bill of Rights but also the first female Secretary of Defense. I like that she also placed importance on visiting soldiers.

Author Christopher C. Gorham writes beautifully about this virtually forgotten figure. His research makes her story come alive with wonderful spirit. She must have been a powerhouse to have impacted and accomplished so much, the ideal role model. To me she was a heroine. Truly inspiring.

Nonfiction and Memoir fans, this one is unmissable. Be sure to read the fascinating Acknowledgements.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this spellbinding book.

This is the story of Anna Rosenberg a woman who paved the way for women today. In her time it was not heard of a woman being part of the government and making decisions. She was influential in areas she should not have been at the era it was.
THis was a book I couldn't put down. It was so interesting to read. It is amazing the things we learn by reading. things that do not make the history books or will not be taught in schools. I am thankful to the author for writing this book and opening my eyes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Citadel for an advance readers copy in exchange for a honest review. The woman that helped win WWII, Anna Rosenberg is not a name I was familiar with but after reading this book, she one of my new favorite women in history. She was the right hand woman to FDR and Fiorello La Guardia. She begun her career in public relations in the 1920s, becoming great friends with Eleanor Roosevelt. During WWII, she guided the direction of the G.I. Bill of Rights and the Manhattan Project. By the 1950s, she was tapped to be the assistant secretary of defense—the highest position ever held by a woman in the US military. In 1962, she organized John F. Kennedy’s infamous birthday gala, sitting beside him while Marilyn Monroe sang. She worked with 5 Presidents and worked tirelessly to change the landscape of American history. Anna Rosenberg should be a name every American knows and this book was a fantastic read. I couldn’t put it down and I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about the woman who helped win WWII.

I love anything to do with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and was surprised to see this book. I thought I had known everyone in FDR's inner circle.
I WAS WRONG!

Anna M Rosenberg was FDR's Confidante, a negotiator, a trusted ally, and a sounding board. However, it is hard to encapsulate all that she was to FDR, Truman, Marshall and more.
She advised them, she was their eyes and ears, she would go and see how soldiers were doing.

I really loved the depth of the book in regards to the ways in which she worked behind the scenes.

The only part that I felt was lacking, was her personal life. Especially near the end of the book. All of a sudden she was divorced from Mike, married Hoffman and then hes dead and shes dead. I wish that there had been more attention paid to that aspect of her life.

Overall a great book about a lady that more of us should know today.

From the moment she burst in the scene as the voice of fellow students in student strikes during WWI until her death in 1983 Anna M Rosenberg was making a difference, standing up for others and making things happen.
The Confidante is a biography of one of the most powerful women in US History. She served New York as a labor leader and negotiator and then went on to serve multiple Presidents. She actively created policy and was one of the reasons FDR’s New Deal was as successful as it was.
Fearless as she visited soldiers for the President in WWII and again in Korea, Rosenberg made it a point to meet with and get feedback from those whose lives were impacted by policies she championed as emissary for FDR immediately following D Day and as the Assistant Secretary of Defense under the Truman administration.
Dedicated to the rights of all people she fought for civil rights in the top levels of government then led desegregation of the military and federal facilities before the Civil Rights Act.
A believer that the government owed it to citizens to make their lives better, she also worked tirelessly to push the governments she worked for to do just that.
A champion, a pioneer, a leader. She certainly had a seat at the top tables in the nation then worked to make plans formed there reality.
How did I NOT know of her before this biography?
So very thankful for the inspiring work by Christopher C. Gorham.

The Confidante releases Feb. 20. I’d recommend anyone interested in reading about a woman who truly changed the world check it out.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I’m pretty sure that anyone who reads this book will have the same question running through their minds. “How have I never heard of this woman?” What an incredible story, an incredible life and a great story teller to write it!

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: Anne Marie Rosenberg, an immigrant to the United States, with only a high school education became the “Most Important Woman in America” according to Life Magazine. Her story is one that seems to have been forgotten because few have heard it. This book takes us on a journey from her humble life growing up as a Hungarian Jew who immigrated to the United States and became a powerful voice amongst those who worked on the policies that helped win WW2. We learn about her life and how she never allowed her humble beginnings to limit how she lived her life.

Pace: Slow-Medium

If I didn’t know any better, I was a reading a historical fiction book. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a memoir about Anne. What an incredible story to tell. I can only imagine how challenging it was to edit this book! How do you leave anything out? I thought at times, the pace and detail got to be too much. I was so intrigued by Anne that I did’t care. I just pushed through because I knew that I would learn another fact about her that would drop my jaw to the floor again. The way that Christopher Gotham brought her story to life in the pages of this book was incredible. I feel that he was able to honor her spirit with the way he wrote her story. I loved this book!