Great-Heart

For how many accomplishments do we celebrate the life of Theodore Roosevelt today? Storming up San Juan Hill with his Rough Riders - "trust busting" - becoming the youngest president - building the Panama Canal - and numerous others. Imagine then how vivid his memory to the American public when this book was published the year of his death, and just ten years after his presidency. Theodore Roosevelt had overcome childhood health problems and become known for his energy. Born into the...
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For how many accomplishments do we celebrate the life of Theodore Roosevelt today? Storming up San Juan Hill with his Rough Riders - "trust busting" - becoming the youngest president - building the Panama Canal - and numerous others. Imagine then how vivid his memory to the American public when this book was published the year of his death, and just ten years after his presidency. Theodore Roosevelt had overcome childhood health problems and become known for his energy. Born into the highest levels of New York society, he went west and established a reputation as a cowboy. Entering politics, he advanced rapidly, always in the spotlight, taking the lead, taking enormous chances. He became Governor of New York, Vice-President, and-suddenly-President of the United States! He fought for what he believed was right, presenting the common citizen a "Square Deal." He championed conservation. He wanted the world to take note of American prestige, and so he built a world-class navy and sent the fleet across the globe. And yet while championing military prowess, his diplomatic side brought him the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize. America was not ready for his death at the age of sixty. This man, so robust in his public life, famous for taking a bullet and finishing his speech, had died too young. He had enemies-but a great many more admirers. He was mourned. And so this tribute was written.