On June 16, 2024, Paul M. Sparrow, the former director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, will deliver a captivating presentation on FDR's pivotal battle against isolationism and fascist sympathizers in the lead-up to World War II. As Germany invaded Poland in 1939, plunging the world into war, Roosevelt urgently sought to rally the American public to support Britain's fight for survival against the Nazi regime. However, the president faced an unexpected adversary in the form of Charles Lindbergh, the famous aviator whose charisma and media savvy had earned him a massive following among those opposed to U.S. intervention. Lindbergh, backed by powerful individuals and even secret German funding, led the America First Committee in a concerted effort to prevent Roosevelt from providing vital aid to Britain. In "Awakening the Spirit of America," Sparrow brilliantly recounts how Roosevelt navigated this treacherous political landscape, masterfully employing his rhetorical skills and popularity to overcome the forces aligned against him and steer the nation towards its role as a global superpower. Attendees will gain invaluable insight into a pivotal moment in American history, learning how FDR's triumph of leadership was by no means a foregone conclusion and how his strategic use of language and media shaped the course of the war and the postwar world. As a former director of the FDR Library and an Emmy Award-winning producer, Sparrow brings a unique perspective and depth of knowledge to this event, making it a must-attend for anyone interested in American history, presidential leadership, and the enduring power of words to shape the course of events.