Listen free for 30 days

  • The Strenuous Life

  • Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the American Athlete
  • Written by: Ryan Swanson
  • Narrated by: David de Vries
  • Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins
  • 5.0 out of 5 stars (1 rating)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Strenuous Life cover art

The Strenuous Life

Written by: Ryan Swanson
Narrated by: David de Vries
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $37.58

Buy Now for $37.58

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

In full and intricate detail, featuring an amazing cast of characters from the worlds of politics, athletics, entertainment and more, this is the story of how President Theodore Roosevelt helped shepherd in a sports and fitness revolution that forever changed the complexion of the United States.

Crippling asthma and grossly myopic eyesight - as a child, Theodore Roosevelt was plagued by such ailments. Give up exercise completely, he was told by a doctor while attending Harvard, or you might die of a heart attack. Still, Roosevelt pressed on. His body was his weakness, the one hill he could never fully conquer. 

But, oh, how he tried! 

Roosevelt developed a lifelong obsession with athletics that he carried with him into the highest office in the nation. As President of the United States, Roosevelt boxed, practiced Ju-Jitsu, played tennis, conducted harrowing “point-to-point” walks, and invited athletes to the White House constantly. He also made certain that each of his children participated in athletics. Not surprisingly, Roosevelt’s personal quest had broad reverberations. During his administration, America saw an unprecedented rise in sports and recreational activities. With Roosevelt in office, baseball’s first ever World Series took place, interscholastic sports began, and schools began to place a legitimate emphasis on physical education. Additionally, the NCAA formed, and the United States hosted the Olympic Games for the first time. 

And the “Bull Moose,” as he’d come to be known, resided squarely in the midst of this upheaval. He fought desperately (and sometimes successfully) to shape American athletics in accordance with his view of the world. Filled with amazing anecdotes, a who’s who of American political and sports figures from the early 20th century, and Rooseveltian gusto and humor, this book tells the tale of Roosevelt’s struggle, which he termed “The Strenuous Life,” and how it changed America.

©2019 by Ryan Swanson. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

More from the same

What listeners say about The Strenuous Life

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Walk the Talk

Thoroughly entertaining. I very much enjoyed listening to it while on my walks.

Theodore Roosevelt was great because he put in the effort to be great. He worked hard and wasn’t ashamed to admit it and even promoted “the strenuous life” to his fellow Americans as a means to keep themselves happy and healthy, and America moving forward.

Roosevelt wasn’t perfect and he had his demons, but after listening to this audiobook, you’ll understand why he is considered one of the greatest American presidents of all time.

The narrator was very good and the pace was steady and even throughout.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!