Douglas Brinkley, author of the recent biography of Walter Cronkite, telephoned me to complain that I had wrongly stated in my column this week that he had reviewed my book about Franklin D. Roosevelt. He said that he “loved” my book and had never reviewed a book of mine. I said that I would write an apology at once and ask that it be posted at once, and would find out for his interest and mine who did write the objectionable review (in the Los Angeles Times), more of me than of my book, that I had mistakenly assigned to him. I Googled appropriately and found a quite obnoxious review of my book (a joint review of my book and Jon Meacham’s interesting book about the relationship between Roosevelt and Churchill), from the Los Angeles Times of April 11, 2004. The review is as I described it and is represented as the work of Douglas Brinkley and no one else. If Mr. Brinkley did not write the review, he should require a correction from the L.A. Times, the real writer should be identified, and I will then apologize to Mr. Brinkley. In the meantime, I thank Mr. Brinkley for his kind verbal reflection on my Roosevelt book, so sharply at variance with the review that bears his name.

UPDATE: Douglas Brinkley called back and we sorted out our differences very cordially. He did write the review I mentioned, but I perfectly understand how he could have forgotten. The matter is now closed.