Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense

The Courtroom Battle to Save His Legacy

By: Dan Abrams, David Fisher

Narrated by: Roger Wayne, Dan Abrams, Dan Abrams Dan Abrams

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A Mental Floss Book to Read in Summer 2019

“Gripping.… Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense is a must-read.” —NPR

A 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 bestseller 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 fifty 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.

Not your typical story...

I'm a huge TR fan, and I only knew small bits and pieces about this last major courtroom battle he fought.
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.

Fascinating but...

This little known (certainly to me but I am going to assume that most people know nothing of it) was fascinating. But perhaps because it had to do with the minutiae of what takes place in a courtroom it was a bit lumbering and cumbersome at times. But, I still found it quite enjoyable.

Can be enjoyed by everyone! Bipartisan political story.

A fascinating story told engagingly - I was transfixed throughout. I’ve never thought I’d be so in love with a politician as I now am with Teddy Roosevelt! You will not need to be aligned with Roosevelt’s political views or actions to admire the great man he obviously was. And what a character - I can’t help but think of Robin Williams portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt in Night at the Museum!

Great Teddy story

I had never heard this story about Teddy before. It was fascinating to listen to. He was defintely a man of character.

Thrilling

I loved it, but then again, I was a trial lawyer for decades...not sure if that enthusiasm would be shared by a layperson