Author: Reluctant Retiree

Teddy Roosevelt and the Birth of a Superpower—The New York Times Bestselling Biography of the Former President from the … Political Anchor (The Presidential Series)

New York Times Bestseller

“This captivating portrayal of Teddy is Bret Baier’s gift to us. From Roosevelt’s resilience over tragedy to his heroism in war, from his midnight rambles as police commissioner to his dramatic fights for reform as governor and president, Baier summons the irrepressible spirit of the man. What an engaging storyteller! What a joy to read!” —Doris Kearns Goodwin

From #1 bestselling author and Fox News Channel’s Chief Political Anchor, a fresh and fascinating exploration of the extraordinary life of Teddy Roosevelt, revealing how his bold leadership thrust America onto the world stage and changed the course of world history.
“As Bret Baier shows in this wonderfully readable biography, Theodore Roosevelt has many lessons for today.” —Walter Isaacson
There has never been a president like Theodore Roosevelt. An iconoclast shaped by fervent ideals, his early life seems ripped from the pages of an adventure novel. He abandoned his place in the New York aristocracy. He was drawn to the thrill of the West. He became an honorary cowboy. He won the respect of the rough men of the plains. He adopted their code of authenticity and courage. As a New York State legislator, he fought corruption and patronage. As New York City police commissioner, he walked the beat at night. He wanted to hold his men accountable. As New York governor, he butted heads with the old guard. He aimed to bring fresh air to a state mired in political corruption. He was a passionate naturalist and conservationist. He also loved hunting. He collected hundreds of specimens of birds and animals throughout his life. He was a soldier and commander. He led a regiment of “Rough Riders” to victory in the Spanish-American War. This show of leadership and bravery put him on the national map. As president, he brought energy, laughter, and bold ideas to the White House. He pursued a vigorous agenda that established America as a leader on the world stage. He advanced the Panama Canal, brokered peace with Russia, and took on business elites.
Bret Baier’s exquisite book uncovers the storied life of a leader. His passion, daring, and prowess left an indelible mark on the fabric of our country. He reimagined the possibilities of the presidency.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“If joy in living was nature’s gift to Theodore Roosevelt, then this captivating portrayal of Teddy is Bret Baier’s gift to us. From Roosevelt’s resilience over tragedy to his heroism in war, from his midnight rambles as police commissioner to his dramatic fights for reform as governor and president, Baier summons the irrepressible spirit of the man. What an engaging storyteller! What a joy to read!”
– Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism
“As Bret Baier shows in this wonderfully readable biography, Theodore Roosevelt has many lessons for today. In his New Nationalism, he combined patriotism with a sense of stewardship, both of our land and institutions. And he embraced the challenge of having the U.S. speak softly but be in service to the world.  Like all of Baier’s biographies, he makes our great presidents relevant to the present.” – Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
“Bret Baier’s To Rescue the American Spirit is a riveting biographical portrait of Theodore Roosevelt in full. Our 26th U.S. president’s maverick instincts, multi-sided intellect and political acumen gallop across these fast-paced pages with bravado for the ages. Expertly researched and colorfully written, this is the story of true American leadership, brave, brilliant and mythic. Never pulling a punch, Baier leads readers to conclude that TR — our cowboy president — truly belongs enshrined on Mount Rushmore. Highly recommended!” – Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History at Rice University and author of The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America.
“To Rescue the American Spirit is an inspiring portrait of Theodore Roosevelt and the promise of our nation at the turn of the twentieth century. Roosevelt’s vision of American leadership — that our strength is in our values — was a bold principle that shaped our nation for more than a century. Bret Baier brings that vision to life and shows how it still has tremendous relevance for today.”
– Mark Levin, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
“With To Rescue the American Spirit, Bret Baier adds yet another terrific volume to his now-extraordinary series of six books written about key moments of transition in American politics and history. As with his other books, Bret Baier combines the journalist’s instinct for narrative with a real flair for identifying critical passages in American history and the people who guided America through those passages. As a journalist, Baier is interested in the way America’s history illuminates the present; as an historian, Baier observes Kipling’s maxim ‘if history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.’ The result — this book — is the fascinating and unforgettable portrait of one of America’s greatest presidents which is also an assessment of America’s rise to superpower status in the decades after the civil culminating with TR’s presidency.” – David Eisenhower, Director, the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Public Service, and author of Eisenhower: At War, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History
“With To Rescue the American Spirit, Bret Baier adds yet another terrific volume to his now-extraordinary series of six books written about key moments of transition in American politics and history. As with his other books, Bret Baier combines the journalist’s instinct for narrative with a real flair for identifying critical passages in American history and the people who guided America through those passages.” – David Eisenhower, Director, the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute for Public Service, and author of Eisenhower: At War, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History
“Bret Baier has done it again, bringing another giant of American history to life. Many Americans think they know ‘T.R.’ but Teddy Roosevelt has sometimes defeated even earnest biographers because of the vast nature of his life an achievements. Bret brings the whole story to these pages, including some of the chapters about the ‘Bull Moose’ T.R. that few know it understand: Why did Roosevelt split with his hand-picked successor, President Taft? Turns out that as T.R. watched Taft, first from far off Africa and then during a long progress through Europe, Roosevelt’s famous temper and even more famous enthusiasm grew and grew and burst back on to the American political scene. That’s just one of many examples of Bret’s deft handling of a man of indomitable will and courage. But the joy T.R. brought to life, Bret Baier brings to these pages. Enjoy the ride!” – Hugh Hewitt, Washington Post columnist and host of The Hugh Hewitt Show
“Celebrity. Disruptor. Larger-than-life. New Yorker. Assassination survivor. Lawfare target. World peacemaker. Theodore Roosevelt’s story is ripe for our time as we revive the American spirit for America’s 250th celebrations. Bret Baier brings his signature journalist eye and voice to paint a vivid and engaging narrative of Theodore Roosevelt, the president who rescued the American spirit. This is Baier at his very best.”  – Jane Hampton Cook, former White House staffer and author of American Phoenix