
Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense
The Courtroom Battle to Save His Legacy
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Narrated by:
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Roger Wayne
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Dan Abrams
The New York Times Best Seller
A Mental Floss Book to Read in Summer 2019
"Gripping.... Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense is a must-read." (NPRA)
President on Trial. A Reputation at Stake.
ABC News legal correspondent and host of LIVE PD Dan Abrams reveals the story of Teddy Roosevelt's last stand - an epic courtroom battle against corruption - in this thrilling follow-up to the New York Times best seller Lincoln's Last Trial.
"No more dramatic courtroom scene has ever been enacted," reported the Syracuse Herald on May 22, 1915, as it covered "the greatest libel suit in history", a battle fought between former President Theodore Roosevelt and the leader of the Republican party. Roosevelt, the boisterous and mostly beloved legendary American hero, had accused his former friend and ally, now turned rival, William Barnes of political corruption. The furious Barnes responded by suing Roosevelt for an enormous sum that could have financially devastated him.
The spectacle of Roosevelt defending himself in a lawsuit captured the imagination of the nation, and more than 50 newspapers sent reporters to cover the trial. Accounts from inside and outside the courtroom combined with excerpts from the trial transcript give us Roosevelt in his own words and serve as the heart of Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense.
This was Roosevelt's final fight to defend his political legacy, and perhaps regain his fading stature. He spent more than a week on the witness stand, revealing hidden secrets of the American political system, and then endured a merciless cross-examination. Witnesses including a young Franklin D. Roosevelt and a host of well-known political leaders were questioned by two of the most brilliant attorneys in the country.
Following the case through court transcripts, news reports, and other primary sources, Dan Abrams and David Fisher present a high-definition picture of the American legal system in a nation standing on the precipice of the Great War, with its former president fighting for the ideals he held dear.
©2019 Dan Abrams (P)2019 Harlequin Enterprises, LimitedListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"This beautifully-wrought story of Theodore Roosevelt’s defense of his claims of corruption in New York State politics has intense echoes today. Abrams and Fisher do a superb job of clearly presenting the issues in this remarkable and intensely dramatic trial." (Scott Turow)
Fascinating but...
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I expected this to be dryer that 3 week old toast. I was greatly mistaken.
This story is brought to life by the author. I felt as if I were actually there in Syracuse in 1915.
If you are a fan of history, a fan of court cases, or a fan of Theodore Roosevelt, do yourself a favor. this book is really fun.
Not your typical story...
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American legend gets expert narration.
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Can be enjoyed by everyone! Bipartisan political story.
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Great Teddy story
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Thrilling
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This detail of President Roosevelt being sued for statements he made in the press about another public figure certainly displays the difference between the early part of the 20th century and now, with the politics of personal destruction and cancel culture. The marked difference in expectations is striking. We have not gotten better, but worse.
Roosevelt’s willingness to be engaged in the courtroom and in the public square about events of the day when standard theory indicated it would be better for him to remain silent speaks a lot to his character.
This is not the book or topic of the century (as the trial was billed) but it is fascinating. If you have an interest in TR, courtroom drama, or the media, this book is for you.
Interesting and Pertinent
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There is a lot going around these days as to what is political corruption and what is not evil politics. Messrs. Abrams and Fisher give us a very subtle but piercing look into how to valuate whether there is corruption. For that purpose alone, this is a book of our times.
What is For the Polity What is for the Politician
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Started off very interesting but became too “wordy
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Great American legal history
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