Geert Mak’s latest book, The Switchman (Dutch: Wisselwachter), offers a compelling and richly detailed portrait of Harry Hopkins, the enigmatic and often overlooked confidant of American President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mak, known for his skill in weaving grand historical narratives with intimate personal stories, brings to life the political and social upheavals of the 1930s and 1940s in both America and Europe through the lens of Hopkins’ extraordinary career.
Hopkins, once a social worker in New York’s poorest neighborhoods, rose to become Roosevelt’s right-hand man, a driving force behind the New Deal, and a pivotal architect of the wartime alliance with Churchill and Stalin. Despite his immense influence—Churchill called him “a true leader of men” whose like “we shall not see again”—Hopkins remains virtually unknown in Europe.
The bond between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Hopkins was extraordinary. Hopkins was the president’s indispensable right hand, living in the White House for extended periods and shaping both domestic and foreign policy. Their partnership was marked by deep trust; Roosevelt relied on Hopkins for counsel on everything from the New Deal to wartime strategy, often seeing him more than any other advisor, over breakfast, the daily cocktails or late at night in their pyjamas. This relationship is depicted with nuance, highlighting both the personal loyalty and the immense political influence Hopkins wielded.
Mak’s approach is more than a straightforward biography. While Hopkins is the central figure, the book is also a sweeping chronicle of the era’s great political movements, the rescue of democracy in the face of rising autocracy, and the forging of a new world order. Mak deftly reconstructs the atmosphere of the White House, introducing a vivid cast of characters including a striking parade of mistresses, the president being a true womanizer. The women not openly visited the White House, but some of them even resided there at times. This candid portrayal challenges the sanitized image of presidential life, showing how Roosevelt’s personal relationships were an open secret among insiders, yet carefully managed to avoid public scandal. Drawing on letters, diaries, and interviews, Mak creates an intimate portrait of these key figures, highlighting their personal dilemmas and moral choices amid the turbulence of war and economic crisis.
Not only the mistresses were concealed, so was Roosevelt’s declining health. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down due to polio, Roosevelt and his staff went to great lengths to project an image of vitality and strength. Photographs of the president in a wheelchair were suppressed, and elaborate measures were taken during public appearances to minimize any sign of disability. Mak’s account highlights the tension between the president’s private vulnerability and his public persona, raising questions about transparency and leadership during crisis.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how Mak distills complex international negotiations and ideological battles into accessible, human stories. He shows how Hopkins, always in the background of iconic photographs—tall, thin, slightly disheveled—was nonetheless decisive at critical moments in history.
Hopkins was for example a linchpin between Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin. Hopkins was the only American official to gain the personal trust of all three leaders, facilitating critical negotiations that shaped the Allied response to Nazi Germany. His willingness to travel under dangerous conditions, his late-night strategy sessions with Churchill, fuelled by lots of alcohol, and his candid discussions with Stalin underscore his diplomatic prowess. Mak illustrates how Hopkins’ personal diplomacy was essential in maintaining the fragile alliance that ultimately secured victory in World War II.
Wisselwachter stands out as a work of both historical scholarship and narrative flair. It also is a tribute to a forgotten statesman. Mak’s empathetic storytelling and meticulous research make this book highly recommended reading for anyone interested in the hidden dynamics of power during one of history’s most consequential eras.
Geert Mak. Wisselwachter. Amerika-Europa 1933-1945. Atlas Contact, 2025