Family

Family was very important to the Roosevelts and the bonds between them remained strong throughout their lives. McCullough chooses to focus on Theodore Roosevelt's early life, believing that it illuminates much about the man that he would become. Part of this explanation rests on the family that Teedie grew up in. His family served as inspiration for him and gave him an enormous amount of support throughout his life.

Theodore Sr. was a critical individual in Teedie's life and in his development. Teedie mentioned multiple times in his writing how he looked up to his father and how he wanted to be a man like his father. Theodore Sr. was not only the voice of authority for the children growing up, but he also modeled for them a strong and benevolent character. The children sought not only to win his approval, but also to model themselves after their...