Theodore Roosevelt: Champion of the American Spirit

Theodore Roosevelt had many accomplishments as a writer, cowboy, historian, naturalist, soldier, devoted father and husband, and politician. He served as Police Commissioner in New York City and as assistant secretary of the Navy. He enjoyed a hero's welcome coming home from the Spanish-American War. He became governor of New York, and as America entered a new century, he was elected vice president of the United States. Then, in 1901, at the age of forty-two, he was sworn in as president upon the assassination of President McKinley, and was the youngest person ever to hold that office. Among the highlights of his career were his overseeing the building of the Panama Canal and winning the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Russ-Japanese War (1904-1905). The author will draw on TR's prolific journals, his lists of bird and animal findings, his autobiography, correspodence, memoirs of family and friends, and newpaper reports of the time. Illustrations will come from the wealth of photographs, political cartoons, and TR's own line drawings in letters and journals. Many are available through the Library of Congress and the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University.

The strenuous life — The sweetness of home — Darling wifie — The wild west — My literary work — We stirred things up — Man's work — Immense fun — A great historical expedition — New York politics — A most honorable office — I felt at once it was bad news — A household of children — No easy job — A coal famine — Roosevelt's corollary — In the interest of the United States — If elected... — The square deal — A bride at every wedding — Carry a big stick — Good-bye, Mr. President — My hat is in the ring — The rights of the people — My last chance to be a boy.