Theodore Roosevelt

A Strenuous Life

By: Kathleen Dalton

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

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)

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.

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.

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.

An absolutely amazing book.

A Great book that details the life of Theodore Roosevelt, who at least to me, is one of the more upstanding Presidents that the USA has had. Dalton goes to great lengths to provide reputable sources, and while the book is long, it is well worth the read.

Author is Uninspired by their Own Subject

I don't know as I have ever read another biography where the writer seemed so unenthusiastic about their own subject. This attempt to show the "real" Teddy Roosevelt, stripped of the glamour and hero-worship so often given him falls utterly flat. Naked truths and bare facts are valuable approaches to writing about biology, astronomy, or mathematics. But to write about people and about history, understanding the ideals of the person is essential. When she talks about Roosevelts views of masculinity, morality, and faith, she does so with a condescending pat on the head for his quaint victorian ideas. It is almost as if she is telling her readers not to get too fond of this guy because he wasn't all that great. Then why write about him? The best biographies are those written by people who either truly connect with the ideals of the person they are writing about and hold them up as a champion, or else viemently oppose the person's ideals as a cautionary tale. This book does neither, and leaves you feeling indifferent about one of the most fascinating and complex presidents America has ever seen. Instead of truly unpacking the man Roosevelt, the author spends more time psychoanalizing his family dynamics, reducing his priniciples and values to a series of family conditionings and trauma.

One redeeming quality to this book, however, is the thoroughness of the explinations of all Roosevelt had to juggle during his time as president. Dalton does an excellent job highlighting the numerous conflicting interests and landmark changes Roosevelt faught for during those years. I found that portion of the book quite fascinating.

outstanding

What an amazing life story.
Had he beat Wilson instead of him and Taft splitting the vote, events of the world could have been different.
Instead of the weak lazy Wilson in the White House as war in Europe, we might have had a true American in the White House.

A good reminder in times like these

Excellent well written. Good to remember a fallible man that stands for right and who changes his mind as he sees his own error.

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!

Wow

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

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.