The Strenuous Life

First published in 1900, “The Strenuous Life” is a collection of essays and speeches by American President Theodore Roosevelt. The title comes from his famous 1899 speech, also called “The Strenuous Life”, which is included in this collection. In this well-known address, Roosevelt argues that the application of great effort in all our work and the striving to overcome hardship were ideal characteristics to be embraced by Americans for the betterment of the nation. The remaining essays and speeches continue in this theme and also explore the factors necessary for one to have a healthy social and individual life and how one can apply these traits to help form a healthy political life for the nation. Roosevelt valued hard work and manual labor as essential to a robust nation and implored those who do not engage in such labor to devote themselves to science and art for the benefit of the country as a whole. Roosevelt railed against laziness and idleness as the antithesis of success and health. All together this collection includes nineteen essays and speeches by one of America’s most renowned Presidents. This edition includes a biographical afterword.