
In this candid memoir the author lays out a philosophy that blends practical efficiency with lofty idealism, insisting that true progress demands both courage and compassion. He argues that personal duty, initiative, and a sense of responsibility are essential not only for the individual but for the health of a nation, and he weaves these ideas seamlessly into the story of his own life.
From his Dutch‑heritage roots in New Amsterdam to the rugged hills of Sagamore, his early years are painted with vivid detail—family anecdotes, schoolyard adventures, and the formative hardships that forged his relentless energy. These recollections reveal how a love of the outdoors, a stubborn curiosity, and a drive to prove himself shaped the character that would later propel him into public service.
The narrative then moves toward his first steps in politics, illustrating how his youthful vigor and unyielding sense of justice guided his choices. Listeners will hear a portrait of a man who believes that strength tempered by kindness can lift a society, all told in his unmistakably vigorous and earnest voice.
Language
en
Duration
~21 hours (1238K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger
Release date
2006-04-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1919
Energetic, outspoken, and endlessly curious, this American president wrote with the same force that shaped his public life. His books draw on politics, war, travel, nature, and the strenuous spirit he famously celebrated.
View all books