Theodore Roosevelt and the Art of American Power: An American for All Time

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This study comprehensively and systematically explores how Theodore Roosevelt understood, massed, and wielded power to pursue his vision for an America that was the world's most prosperous, just, and influential nation.

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Nester (St. John's) offers new insight into the concept of power as defined by early-20th-century American culture. Situated at the epicenter of this American Power is Theodore Roosevelt, whom Nester refers to as An American for All Time. According to Nester, Roosevelt saw life as a constant struggle, and believed that the Gilded Age notion of the survival of the fittest could be applied to the individual American and the country as a whole. To Roosevelt, power came in two forms, soft and hard, and was exemplified by his famous axiom to speak softly and carry a big stick. But unlike many counterparts at the turn of the century, Roosevelt did not believe in the winner-take-all mentality, as it related to political power and material resources. Through his detailed analysis of Roosevelts life, Nester effectively demonstrates how Roosevelt defined and used power to lead the US to the forefront of world power. In showcasing the rise of American power in the early 20th century, Nesters coverage of Roosevelt offers a mirror to the challenges of today.

Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty.