A Bully Father:: Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children

by Joan Patterson Kerr

Book Overview

The Roosevelt family, with its rambunctious father and six children, invaded and occupied the White House as no other family has since. Roosevelt was a wonderful father, writing to his children,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 067943948X
• ISBN13: 9780679439486
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 260 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Not just for men!

As a woman I have always liked history through personal letters.. You learn the true intent of one's heart. We have lost much in our advanced way of life.. Reading Bully Father will show you what love can be when a father has his full attention on his family, even in a job that could distract him, if he let it. TR set his children's welfare first as head of his family, and worked as a nation's leader to set an example in his day for all family's, rich or poor, love is time well spent. What a giant of a man TR was, a true one of a kind leader.. And yet a child at heart to children. He taught them to live life to the fullest, respect nature, learn from it. Some of the hunting letters were not my cup of tea, but still taught me how a father shares his life with his beloved children. Nothing dull with this family.. That goes for Mrs R too.. She rode with the best of them. Put your cell phone down and read this book.. You will belly laugh at some of happenings and you will wish to stop time, and just play again... Like the child in you! If you have children..stop and learn to laugh with them.. Be a bully father.. Be a Bully mother. Tks. TR!

Delightful!

"A Bully Father" is a delightful insight into a remarkable American family. The first portion of the book is a biographical narrative of Theodore Roosevelt, with a strong emphasis on his family life. The remainder is a collection of letters from TR to his children. Although the letters are identified by topic, they are otherwise left to speak for themselves.These letters were generally written to his children while they were away at school. The letters are treasures from the Age of Letters. Things which today would be communicated in person, by telephone or e-mail were, in TR's day, communicated and preserved in correspondence. The letters cover a wide variety of topics. Events of daily life of the Roosevelt family and evaluations, favorable and unfavorable, of the child constitute the majority of the letters. Nothing was too small for TR's attention. Horse and carriage rides, playing with children or wrestling with Japanese wrestlers, his tennis partners and White House visitors are all recorded for our enjoyment. TR also used these letters to give vocational advice as well as to comment on public events of the day. TR also expounds on his views on literature and history, as well as his views on family values. The classical literature which he and "Mother" read to the children are mind boggling!This is a book which is enjoyable to read and also makes you think. TR's relationship with his children and his interactions with them provide a standard against which we can measure our own lives. Read this book and treasure it!

A shining light across the century

Teddy shines through as a true inspiration to all fathers. I read this book, and then "played bear" with my children.

The Essence of Fatherhood

The greatest legacy a father can leave the world is his children. Theodore Roosevelt is more popularly remembered in history as the great Trust Buster and the hero of San Juan Hill, but his greatest contribution was something that until this book, has been overlooked, the impact of a loving and nurturing father on his children. Reading this book, one gets the unmistakable impression that Teddy Roosevelt was infinitely more concerned about the lives of his children than he ever was about the affairs of the Presidency. Readers are left with the impression that at a moments notice, he would give up everything for the welfare of even one of his kids. What a legacy to leave for history.In an age where families are under siege and children are becoming more like trophies that are displayed, Teddy Roosevelt's letters to his children shine as a beacon pointing us to what being a parent is all about, raising, loving, and nurturing our children.What ever happened to writing letters? The art of letter writing has all but passed away. In T.R.'s time reading letters was a family event, something that was eagerly anticipated by the entire family. Today's family is forced to deal with the constant barrage of faxes, e-mails and cellular phones. Family conversation has been reduced to digital bytes rather than meaningful conversation. George Washington may have been the father of our nation, but Teddy Roosevelt had a far more lasting impact, he was a father to his children.

Terrifically humanistic view of one of our great presidents

Here was one of my heroes, doing the un-heroic: Writing letters to his children (usually the older boys, Kermit and Archie). And, what letters they are! Full of advice, careful remonstrance and laughter. Theodore Roosevelt's love of life and his children come through loud and clear. If you are a serious reader of history and/or treasure the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, as I do, get your hands on this book.