Theodore Roosevelt

A Strenuous Life

By: Kathleen Dalton

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Length: 27 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Esteemed Harvard University historian and Associate Fellow Kathleen Dalton has been studying Theodore Roosevelt since 1975. This authoritative work, incorporating the latest scholarship, paints a compelling portrait of the president in all his robust glory. Transforming from his early days as a sickly and fearful boy to his adulthood as an adventurous and perpetually active man, Roosevelt sought to engage life at its utmost. As president, he was popular and renowned as a man of the people; the fascinating story of the progression of his political outlook is charted in this rewarding book.

©2002 Kathleen Dalton (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Dalton admirably captured the vitality, insatiable curiosity, and passion that made Roosevelt such a compelling figure, both for his contemporaries and for historians." (Booklist)

Excellent Biography

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biography. I was constantly entertained and learned more than a bit of history. The author emphasized Roosevelt the man (his ideas and family life) rather than trying to detail every moment of this public life.

Informative, entertaining and well read

I was hesitant of getting such a long audiobook.

With the exception of the first 3 or so hours, which discusses TR's childhood with unnecessary detail, the book is extraordinary. Covering his personal and professional life, his internal contradiction, and his bigger than life persona.

I am amazed that after 20+ hours I do not dread listening to the reader, she is very good.

If you are interested in learning about arguably the most interesting president of the USA, I would think this book is as good as any and it is very pleasently read.

Beating Teddy with his Big Stick

This psychological biography is so fraught with unsubstantiated speculation and mischaracterization that I had to give up before the end of his second presidential term. The author consistently analyzes Roosevelt's actions and intentions without regard to their historical context.

I am no Roosevelt scholar, but I have read several other biographies and Dalton is so transparent in her determination to judge TR by current standards rather than by those of his own time that it renders her commentary incredible.

TR

Superbly written and outstanding narration, probably my favorite audiobook yet. This biography was comprehensive but without the insignificant details that I think detract from many biographies. It really brought the character and life of Roosevelt to life and I learned a lot from it.

average

Although TR is one of my favorites, the narrator was hard to take for such a long bio. But the content was very good.

Bully!

TR can be easily dismissed by modern sensibilities. Many of his beliefs have not withstood the test of time. It is notable that many, perhaps most, of those beliefs were commonly held prejudice of the time. The author does a good job of putting those beliefs in to context. What is most notable was TR's ability to be swayed by what he saw and what he learned. The TR on his deathbed was not the brash young man nor the sickly child. You can see some of the influence of the Bull Moose on another Roosevelt, FDR. I appreciate that with the lapse of time, this author has the ability, perhaps, to see TR more objectively than those writing to defend him or to damn him in the years following his death. As an aside, knowing more about TR makes Arsenic and Old Lace even more Bully!

Scholarly read

I would recommend to anyone interested in the life of TR, history between the civil war and WWI, or the Roosevelt family. I think it a little dry for a casual read. There is little of the TR humor and the shear drama is understated. Well researched and scholarly. I thought it a well balanced presentation.

Suzanne Toren does a wonderful job narrating. I have to say that this one begs for a male voice. I know the author is a woman; TR was an ardent supporter of suffrage, just saying.

Entertaining

As a history lover, I found this entertaining and ensightful. Narration is good, and author seems to have tried to show both sides of this enigmatic and "bully" man.
A Good listen I think.

Excellent in every way.

Where does Theodore Roosevelt rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Extraordinarily good narration of a fascinating book.

What did you like best about this story?

Well written in an interesting manner.

Which character – as performed by Suzanne Toren – was your favorite?

Theodore Roosevelt

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A Stressful Life

Any additional comments?

Very well done.

Wow

Thank You so much for showing and sharing the complete story! TR is an amazing human.