The Roosevelt family, with its rambunctious father and six children, invaded and occupied the White House as no other family has since. Roosevelt was a wonderful father, writing to his children, guiding them, playing with them and loving them as do only the best fathers. Long out of print, these personal letters are warm, wonderfully wise and witty--the best things Teddy Roosevelt ever wrote. Photos.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
McCullough's introduction and Kerr's family chronicle set the stage for this wonderful collection of letters-an instant bestseller in 1919-that reveals how seriously yet lightheartedly Theodore Roosevelt took his role as father of six lively children. Written between 1898 and 1911, the letters begin with a letter to the "Blessed Bunnies" as he's about to embark on a military expedition to Cuba and end with a letter complaining about a hat the children "forced" him to buy. In between: letters to the children on such matters as the construction of the Panama Canal, mental telepathy, hunting trips, family pets, Charles Dickens ("an illnatured, selfish cad and boor, who had no understanding of what the word gentleman meant") and one hilarious letter about the president grappling with a Japanese wrestler in the White House. These examples are not exactly typical, however, for each letter is delightfully different, addressed not so much to a child as to a beloved individual regarded as an equal. The volume includes 40 photos of the family at play. Kerr co-edited The Romantic Egoists.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Edited by Kerr (Dictionary of Australian Artists, Sketchers, Photographers, and Engravers, Oxford Univ. Pr., 1993), these family letters of Theodore Roosevelt were a great success when originally published at the time of his death. The first third of the book is Kerr's history of the Roosevelt family, a charming story in which each of the children emerges with a distinct personality. Kerr's style reflects the family's verve and life, but it is also rather twee; the reader will encounter groaners like littlest. As for the letters, Teddy Roosevelt aficionados will enjoy them; the bulk are either descriptions of his travels or counsels to this children when they were away at school. Although this is an attractive package, its audience is probably too limited to make it more than an optional purchase for most libraries.?Fritz Buckallew, Univ. of Central Oklahoma Lib., Edmond
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Essence of Fatherhood,
By Nelson Schroeder (schroede@teal.sni.net) (Sterling, Colorado) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Bully Father: Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children (Hardcover)
The greatest legacy a father can leave the world is his children. Theodore Roosevelt is more popularly remembered in history as the great Trust Buster and the hero of San Juan Hill, but his greatest contribution was something that until this book, has been overlooked, the impact of a loving and nurturing father on his children. Reading this book, one gets the unmistakable impression that Teddy Roosevelt was infinitely more concerned about the lives of his children than he ever was about the affairs of the Presidency. Readers are left with the impression that at a moments notice, he would give up everything for the welfare of even one of his kids. What a legacy to leave for history. In an age where families are under siege and children are becoming more like trophies that are displayed, Teddy Roosevelt's letters to his children shine as a beacon pointing us to what being a parent is all about, raising, loving, and nurturing our children. What ever happened to writing letters? The art of letter writing has all but passed away. In T.R.'s time reading letters was a family event, something that was eagerly anticipated by the entire family. Today's family is forced to deal with the constant barrage of faxes, e-mails and cellular phones. Family conversation has been reduced to digital bytes rather than meaningful conversation. George Washington may have been the father of our nation, but Teddy Roosevelt had a far more lasting impact, he was a father to his children.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful!,
By
This review is from: A Bully Father: Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children (Hardcover)
"A Bully Father" is a delightful insight into a remarkable American family. The first portion of the book is a biographical narrative of Theodore Roosevelt, with a strong emphasis on his family life. The remainder is a collection of letters from TR to his children. Although the letters are identified by topic, they are otherwise left to speak for themselves.These letters were generally written to his children while they were away at school. The letters are treasures from the Age of Letters. Things which today would be communicated in person, by telephone or e-mail were, in TR's day, communicated and preserved in correspondence. The letters cover a wide variety of topics. Events of daily life of the Roosevelt family and evaluations, favorable and unfavorable, of the child constitute the majority of the letters. Nothing was too small for TR's attention. Horse and carriage rides, playing with children or wrestling with Japanese wrestlers, his tennis partners and White House visitors are all recorded for our enjoyment. TR also used these letters to give vocational advice as well as to comment on public events of the day. TR also expounds on his views on literature and history, as well as his views on family values. The classical literature which he and "Mother" read to the children are mind boggling! This is a book which is enjoyable to read and also makes you think. TR's relationship with his children and his interactions with them provide a standard against which we can measure our own lives. Read this book and treasure it!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A shining light across the century,
By
This review is from: A Bully Father: Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children (Hardcover)
Teddy shines through as a true inspiration to all fathers. I read this book, and then "played bear" with my children.
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