"[2] Kirkus Reviews said that "the narrative’s level of detail, sober style, strict adherence to its double-track theory and plausible argument make it worthy of consideration.

"[3] Timothy Naftali review for The Washington Post stated that he did not find Kaiser's arguments to be plausible or persuasive and described The Road to Dallas as "manic and unreadable".

"[4] Michael Beschloss of The New York Times described the book as "David Kaiser’s judicious, detailed and soundly researched history of Roosevelt’s tortuous process of first preparing America psychologically, politically and militarily, and then nudging the country into that apocalyptic struggle.

"[5] Beschloss added, "Kaiser has brought us a careful, nuanced, credible account of the events and complex issues surrounding America’s entry into World War II, which, however historical fashions change, is likely to wear well over the years.

"[6] Hamby also wrote: "What gets largely passed over in his account is the high public drama of the period—the intense interventionist-isolationist debate (including the rhetorical duel between Roosevelt and Charles A. Lindbergh); the crucial commitment-laden visits to Britain and the Soviet Union by the president's close adviser Harry Hopkins; and FDR's unprecedented campaign for a third term in 1940.

The book tells the story of his own education, teaching, authorship and academic career, while simultaneously commenting on changes in academia in general and the historical profession in particular over the last half century.

Morley Winograd of the University of Southern California's Annenberg School writes that the book "captures a rare quality these days--the ability to stand for what you believe and base those beliefs on facts, not trendy opinions."