Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense

The Courtroom Battle to Save His Legacy

By: Dan Abrams, David Fisher

Narrated by: Roger Wayne, Dan Abrams

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times Best Seller

A Mental Floss Book to Read in Summer 2019

"Gripping.... Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense is a must-read." (NPRA)

President on Trial. A Reputation at Stake.

ABC News legal correspondent and host of LIVE PD Dan Abrams reveals the story of Teddy Roosevelt's last stand - an epic courtroom battle against corruption - in this thrilling follow-up to the New York Times best seller Lincoln's Last Trial.

"No more dramatic courtroom scene has ever been enacted," reported the Syracuse Herald on May 22, 1915, as it covered "the greatest libel suit in history", a battle fought between former President Theodore Roosevelt and the leader of the Republican party. Roosevelt, the boisterous and mostly beloved legendary American hero, had accused his former friend and ally, now turned rival, William Barnes of political corruption. The furious Barnes responded by suing Roosevelt for an enormous sum that could have financially devastated him.

The spectacle of Roosevelt defending himself in a lawsuit captured the imagination of the nation, and more than 50 newspapers sent reporters to cover the trial. Accounts from inside and outside the courtroom combined with excerpts from the trial transcript give us Roosevelt in his own words and serve as the heart of Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense.

This was Roosevelt's final fight to defend his political legacy, and perhaps regain his fading stature. He spent more than a week on the witness stand, revealing hidden secrets of the American political system, and then endured a merciless cross-examination. Witnesses including a young Franklin D. Roosevelt and a host of well-known political leaders were questioned by two of the most brilliant attorneys in the country.

Following the case through court transcripts, news reports, and other primary sources, Dan Abrams and David Fisher present a high-definition picture of the American legal system in a nation standing on the precipice of the Great War, with its former president fighting for the ideals he held dear.

©2019 Dan Abrams (P)2019 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Critic reviews

"This beautifully-wrought story of Theodore Roosevelt’s defense of his claims of corruption in New York State politics has intense echoes today. Abrams and Fisher do a superb job of clearly presenting the issues in this remarkable and intensely dramatic trial." (Scott Turow)

Fascinating but...

This little known (certainly to me but I am going to assume that most people know nothing of it) was fascinating. But perhaps because it had to do with the minutiae of what takes place in a courtroom it was a bit lumbering and cumbersome at times. But, I still found it quite enjoyable.

Not your typical story...

I'm a huge TR fan, and I only knew small bits and pieces about this last major courtroom battle he fought.
I expected this to be dryer that 3 week old toast. I was greatly mistaken.
This story is brought to life by the author. I felt as if I were actually there in Syracuse in 1915.
If you are a fan of history, a fan of court cases, or a fan of Theodore Roosevelt, do yourself a favor. this book is really fun.

Thrilling

I loved it, but then again, I was a trial lawyer for decades...not sure if that enthusiasm would be shared by a layperson

Interesting and Pertinent

I have come to enjoy Mr. Abrams’ books and his performances.

This detail of President Roosevelt being sued for statements he made in the press about another public figure certainly displays the difference between the early part of the 20th century and now, with the politics of personal destruction and cancel culture. The marked difference in expectations is striking. We have not gotten better, but worse.

Roosevelt’s willingness to be engaged in the courtroom and in the public square about events of the day when standard theory indicated it would be better for him to remain silent speaks a lot to his character.

This is not the book or topic of the century (as the trial was billed) but it is fascinating. If you have an interest in TR, courtroom drama, or the media, this book is for you.

Can be enjoyed by everyone! Bipartisan political story.

A fascinating story told engagingly - I was transfixed throughout. I’ve never thought I’d be so in love with a politician as I now am with Teddy Roosevelt! You will not need to be aligned with Roosevelt’s political views or actions to admire the great man he obviously was. And what a character - I can’t help but think of Robin Williams portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum!

Great Teddy story

I had never heard this story about Teddy before. It was fascinating to listen to. He was defintely a man of character.

American legend gets expert narration.

A fascinating look into early 20th century machine politics and the legal system starring Teddy.

What is For the Polity What is for the Politician

Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense, The Courtroom Battle to Save His Legacy, by Dan Abrams, and David Fisher. Narrated by Roger Wayne and Dan Abrams. The is not a highly lauded work of art or study. It is a good primer on the civil trial process. It is not well read. It is though a good reader on political corruption; and that is where it’s worth and worthiness lies. Corrupt politicians can look not so bad, until you learn to discern what is for the polity as opposed what is for the politician to the detriment of the polity. This book provides the criteria for analysis of just that issue.

There is a lot going around these days as to what is political corruption and what is not evil politics. Messrs. Abrams and Fisher give us a very subtle but piercing look into how to valuate whether there is corruption. For that purpose alone, this is a book of our times.

Started off very interesting but became too “wordy

I was very interested in this story and learned a great deal in the beginning. But the story then turned into a drudgery; it became very dragged out and no longer interesting. I rarely stop a book midway but this just couldn’t hold my interest any longer. That was a shame because it was very poignant at this time in politics. Dan Abrams is a great narrator

Great American legal history

If you like well documented and expressively performed REAL courtroom drama that also takes you into American culture in early 20th century then you will love this book. If that's not your gig then don't bother. You need to be a political junkie to enjoy this book.