Monday, December 23, 2019

Review of "The Strenuous Life"

Whether or not the book is sports-related, anything written about Theodore Roosevelt and his family is usually worth the time to read.  This book that concentrates on the role sports played in his life and in his Presidency is one of them.  Here is my review of "The Strenuous Life"

Title/Author:
“The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the American Athlete” by Ryan Swanson

Tags:
Football (American), running, tennis, baseball, boxing, Olympics, politics

Publish date:
August 20, 2019

Length:
376 pages

Rating: to
4 of 5 stars (very good)

Review:
Theodore Roosevelt was known to be one of the more active Presidents, but just how active he was and the impact he had on both participating and spectator sports is captured in this book by Ryan Swanson.  In it, Swanson takes an in-depth look at Roosevelt's experience in sport, whether it was in his youth and college days, his time at the White House or frankly, any other time.

While many know about TR's concern about the violence in college football and his asthma that affected his activity as a child, other activities that are not as well know make their way into the reader's attention.  One of this is the "tennis cabinet" – staff members with whom TR would play tennis on a regular basis.  He was an enthusiastic boxer, both at Harvard and at the White House.  Of course walking regularly was also a favorite activity of his. 

Something that may be surprising, however, is his lack of enthusiasm for baseball.  Even though he was presented with a "golden ticket" good for admission to any major or minor league baseball game, Roosevelt believed the game was not active enough as he preferred sports and activities that required more motion by the body.  He felt that all ages should be more active, as he established what became known as the physical fitness tests for school-age children.

These are just some of the topics Swanson covers with gusto and in great detail. Because of the detail, it is a book that requires careful reading, but once done, the reader will have taken a fascinating look at the active life of the 26th United States President.
                                                    
Book Format Read:
E-book (Kindle)

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