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The Strenuous Life
The Strenuous Life
The Strenuous Life
Ebook228 pages8 hours

The Strenuous Life

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First published in 1900, “The Strenuous Life” is a collection of essays and speeches by American President Theodore Roosevelt. The title comes from his famous 1899 speech, also called “The Strenuous Life”, which is included in this collection. In this well-known address, Roosevelt argues that the application of great effort in all our work and the striving to overcome hardship were ideal characteristics to be embraced by Americans for the betterment of the nation. The remaining essays and speeches continue in this theme and also explore the factors necessary for one to have a healthy social and individual life and how one can apply these traits to help form a healthy political life for the nation. Roosevelt valued hard work and manual labor as essential to a robust nation and implored those who do not engage in such labor to devote themselves to science and art for the benefit of the country as a whole. Roosevelt railed against laziness and idleness as the antithesis of success and health. All together this collection includes nineteen essays and speeches by one of America’s most renowned Presidents. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateFeb 10, 2020
ISBN9781420966947
Author

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was an American politician, naturalist, military man, author, and the youngest president of the United States. Known for his larger-than-life persona, Roosevelt is credited with forming the Rough Riders, trust-busting large American companies including Standard Oil, expanding the system of national parks and forests, and negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. A prolific author, Roosevelt’s topics ranged from foreign policy to the natural world to personal memoirs. Among his most recognized works are The Rough Riders, The Winning of the West, and his Autobiography. In addition to a legacy of written works, Roosevelt is immortalized along with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln on Mount Rushmore, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honour by President Bill Clinton for his charge up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War, and was given the title of Chief Scout Citizen by the Boy Scouts of America. Roosevelt died suddenly at his home, Sagamore Hill, on January 5, 1919. Roosevelt, along with his niece Eleanor and his cousin Franklin D., is the subject of the 2014 Ken Burns documentary The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A series of essays and speeches from Theodore Roosevelt, mostly focusing on having a strong work ethic, Christian fellowship, and the greatness of the American people in the aftermath of two wars; the Civil War and the Spanish-American War, which Roosevelt fought in.In the various speeches and essays included here, Roosevelt's main points revolve around American leadership and what makes for a great citizen in the republic. This, unfortunately, is at the disservice of Native Americans and anyone from a non-Christian religion. However, other than this glaring xenophobic streak, there is a lot of good in what Roosevelt has to say.Reading this in the current political climate, it is quite clear how Roosevelt would feel about the leadership and everything they are doing, and this is exactly why I would recommend everyone read this. What Roosevelt considers truly evil is what we should all be on the lookout for.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Theodore Roosevelt encouraged me to get off my butt and get the dishes in the dishwasher, to start the washing machine, and to start my car to run errands.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Roosevelt's speeches read like a great apologia for the Protestant work ethic. I could not help but think that we have failed to capitalise on his progressive zeal. At times, I found Roosevelt's words to be rousing, at others, antiquated in their institutionalised view of women and "others", yet inclusive and accepting of diversity. Nationalism underpins much of Roosevelt's rhetoric, not empty, but nevertheless of his time. There is much wisdom in his ideal of the strenuous life, and much warning of the over-strenuous. I am cautious about the applicability of his lessons to present times, not so much because of his words but because of the way history has played out in spite of them. The ideas of manliness resonate from time to time, but I could not help but feel a distinct "foreignness" in the underpinning idealism. Although Roosevelt has been built into an icon, his words convey a measured tenacity and ability to rise to the occasion in the face of adversity. Herein, for me at least, lies the greatest lesson. If we strip away the legend, and look to the man (as Roosevelt may well have agreed), we can see an ordinary human being who became extraordinary through great effort and an ability to be great despite living with many of the ailments suffered by fellow mortals. If I were to sum up the man? No-nonsense, progressive pragmatism. I suppose what perplexes me is the historical baggage. Much like reading and admiring Hemingway's work, one must constantly forgive the context. Upon finishing the works, the "Whose motorcycle is this?" scene from Pulp Fiction comes to mind.

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The Strenuous Life - Theodore Roosevelt

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