American Experience

More about the film TR, the Story of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt, TR, was the first twentieth century president in outlook and style, and the youngest in history. With his youth, his amazing energy and intelligence -- the bounce he brought to public life -- he gave the country an unexpected lift right at the start of the new century. He made more noise and had more fun on the job than any president had. And he got things accomplished. He stood politics on end and saw that America, like it or not, would have to play a large part in the world.

It was said he drew such big crowds because he represented, all in one man, so many things others identified with. The nature lovers came to see the nature lover, the book readers to see the great writer and reader of books, the Republicans to see the Republican, the veterans to see the famous Rough Rider, and a great many frail, near-sighted, uncertain little boys to see the man who himself had once been just like them.

Film Credits
Credits for the American Experience documentary program TR, the Story of Theodore Roosevelt.

Program Transcript
TR, the Story of Theodore Roosevelt transcript.

Interviews
Read and listen to what historians have to say about TR, the Story of Theodore Roosevelt.

Further Reading
A list of related books, articles, and Web sites.