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The Man in the Arena: Selected Writings of Theodore Roosevelt: A Reader

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What I remember about Theodore Roosevelt is that hilarious comedy, 'Arsenic and Old Lace.' Where the two crazy old ladies and their ready to be committed equally mental, bugle-blowing brother, Teddy Brewster who constantly fantasizes charging up the stairway and digging the Panama Canal in the basement. But, we're talking about the first president of the 20th century and the youngest to ascend the highest office. The real Roosevelt was a very amazing fellow and the most active of any American writer. He grew out of a sickly childhood and built strength through self-made physical fitness. He was the one to save football from extinction in 1905. He was fond of the West African proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far." With remarkable toughness and smarts he served as a New York legislator, New York governor, police commissioner of New York City, assistant secretary of the Navy, vice president, military colonel who led the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War, the Indiana Jones of Amazonia and Africa, Nobel Peace Prize winner, a rancher, conservationist and father of six children. Now, that's a busy guy!

In 'The Man in the Arena,' Brian M. Thomsen has collected some of TR's profilic writings including essays and extracts from various books by TR. All are brought together in one handy reference of information about TR's writings. In the 16 extracts Thomsen reveals Roosevelt as a historian, memoirist, adventurer and essayist. 'The Winning of the West' written in 1889 celebrates the American epic of expansion. Research was something Roosevelt was good at. He spent a huge amount of time in archives and took the facts from primary sources only. There are two chapters dedicated to TR's 'The Naval War of 1812,' a technically excellent but, dull book. So any war buff wanting an accurate history of the War of 1812 just refer to TR's book. 'The Rough Riders' chapter gives the reader an account of a vivid and even graphic description of what war really is like, and the bravery and gallantry of early American soldiers. 'Through the Brazilian,' an account of TR and his crew in 1914 explored regions no other white man tread from battling rough terrain, rugged living and hunting game. If only the leaders of today had TR's toughness and intelligence then we wouldn't be in the mess we're in. The 'Washington's Forgotten Maxim' is dedicated to his 1897 address to the Naval War College. His memorable words, "to be prepared for war is the most effectual means to promote peace." The entertaining chapter, 'History as Literature,' TR argues that there is no reason why great history cannot be great literature with a great appreciation to Lucan and Macaulay. People assume history if it's accurate it's boring. He quotes H.G. Wells, "history is the symbol of the creative will in man." Not only you will find this an educational, thrilling read but, you may want to explore further other citations he mentions in his writings.