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Theodore Roosevelt: Letters and Speeches by Roosevelt, Theodore (October 7, 2004) Hardcover 1st
This unprecedented volume brings together 367 letters written by Theodore Roosevelt between 1881 and 1919. Also included are four speeches, best known by the phrases they introduced into the "The Strenuous Life" (1899); "The Big Stick" (1901); "The Man in the Arena" (1910); and "The New Nationalism" (1910).
Unknown Binding
First published October 7, 2004
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About the author
Theodore Roosevelt
2,399 books914 followersTheodore Roosevelt, Jr., also known as T.R., and to the public (but never to friends and family) as Teddy, was the twenty-sixth President of the United States, and a leader of the Republican Party and of the Progressive Movement.
He fathered Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a daughter.
He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York, historian, naturalist, explorer, author, and soldier (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his role at the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War).
Roosevelt is most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" persona.
He fathered Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a daughter.
He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York, historian, naturalist, explorer, author, and soldier (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his role at the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War).
Roosevelt is most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" persona.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 25, 2019
Of all the presidents this country has had, Theodore Roosevelt is perhaps the most fascinating of them all. His intellect was fierce, his passions large, and his love of country great. He could be equal part conservative and progressive, but always on the side of the people and righteousness, at least as he saw it. A lot has been written about him, but this collection of Roosevelt’s letters and speeches gets you as close as possible to the mind of the man himself.
Starting in 1881 when TR a young Assemblyman in the NY state legislature, these letters follow his public and personal life until just before his death in January 1919. Throughout this entire volume TR’s wide ranging interests and strong moral sense shine throughout. Indeed, every couple of pages I would find a letter that reminded me that TR is perhaps the coolest president ever. In one letter he relates his tale of chasing criminals in the Badlands of the Dakotas while also casually reading “Anna Karenina.” In another letter he his writing fan letters to Alfred Thayer Mahan. And in another letter he is pontificating about the potential threat Germany and Japan could pose to the United States in the future. He corresponded with naturalists, poets, and statesmen just as easily as he did with politicians and family. This is a truly fascinating collection. Of course, TR was no saint either. He could be stubborn, judge mental, and bloodthirsty. However, reading through all of these letters and seeing TR, warts and all, one has to admire his intellect and his strong moral compass.
Some of his longer letters are a bit of a bore and I feel that by just reading his speeches something gets lost in translation, but this is a collection that no TR fan should miss. For those of you who have read Edmund Morris’s impressive three volume biography or any of the other great TR biographies that are out there, this book, along with the other Library of America volume that collects TR’s autobiographies, are not to be missed.
Starting in 1881 when TR a young Assemblyman in the NY state legislature, these letters follow his public and personal life until just before his death in January 1919. Throughout this entire volume TR’s wide ranging interests and strong moral sense shine throughout. Indeed, every couple of pages I would find a letter that reminded me that TR is perhaps the coolest president ever. In one letter he relates his tale of chasing criminals in the Badlands of the Dakotas while also casually reading “Anna Karenina.” In another letter he his writing fan letters to Alfred Thayer Mahan. And in another letter he is pontificating about the potential threat Germany and Japan could pose to the United States in the future. He corresponded with naturalists, poets, and statesmen just as easily as he did with politicians and family. This is a truly fascinating collection. Of course, TR was no saint either. He could be stubborn, judge mental, and bloodthirsty. However, reading through all of these letters and seeing TR, warts and all, one has to admire his intellect and his strong moral compass.
Some of his longer letters are a bit of a bore and I feel that by just reading his speeches something gets lost in translation, but this is a collection that no TR fan should miss. For those of you who have read Edmund Morris’s impressive three volume biography or any of the other great TR biographies that are out there, this book, along with the other Library of America volume that collects TR’s autobiographies, are not to be missed.
April 12, 2021
(just finished the letters)
As with anything TR touches, this is interesting. I enjoy his softer side that involves his treks in nature and his fascination with wildlife, especially ornithology. Other aspects I find disappointing is his paternalistic approach to black Americans. Whenever he rattles on about the "superior/interior race" I cringe. I don't entirely mind his views on woman's suffrage because he was simply a product of his time. I feel like if TR was living now, he would be entirely progressive.
I skimmed through many of his administrative type letters and delved deep into the personal, which was a real treat.
(I've made several notes in the first blank page of the volume)
As with anything TR touches, this is interesting. I enjoy his softer side that involves his treks in nature and his fascination with wildlife, especially ornithology. Other aspects I find disappointing is his paternalistic approach to black Americans. Whenever he rattles on about the "superior/interior race" I cringe. I don't entirely mind his views on woman's suffrage because he was simply a product of his time. I feel like if TR was living now, he would be entirely progressive.
I skimmed through many of his administrative type letters and delved deep into the personal, which was a real treat.
(I've made several notes in the first blank page of the volume)
February 11, 2011
Delves very deep into the history of Theodore Roosevelt. I found this book really hard to read. I read it for a paper that I was writing for one of my history classes and for that reason it was great for the paper. As a fun read I would find it difficult to read but it is very informational and great for Teddy fanatics.
July 12, 2011
He likes big simple ideas, and although in one letter he hints that this is for the purposes of social manipulation, I suspect its simply a natural tendency. His favorite device is to position himself between extremes of idealism and cynicism, labor and capital (e.g. "the square deal"). I'm a big fan, and wish he written a little bit more about Jefferson (whom he despised).
December 1, 2015
A wonderful book if you're looking for Roosevelt's letters; a bit weaker, honestly in the speeches department, which is in and of itself not a huge problem but it makes the formal title a bit of a misnomer. Roosevelt comes across as the complex, wonderful, infuriating, flawed, and brilliant man he really was - not the statue carved of stone nor literary villain. I cannot recommend it enough.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews