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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