Customer Reviews

A Bully Father: Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children

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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.

"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!

Teddy shines through as a true inspiration to all fathers. I read this book, and then "played bear" with my children.

Here was one of my heroes, doing the un-heroic: Writing
letters to his children (usually the older boys, Kermit and
Archie). And, what letters they are! Full of advice, careful
remonstrance and laughter. Theodore Roosevelt's love of
life and his children come through loud and clear. If you
are a serious reader of history and/or treasure the legacy
of Theodore Roosevelt, as I do, get your hands on this book.