Book 2, Chapter 9 Summary and Analysis

"Theodore the Spinner" opens by portraying Lafayette Square as the center of real power in Washington, consisting of Sen. Mark Hanna, Secretary of State John Hay, and Henry Adams. The focus of power shifts abruptly when President McKinley is assassinated in 1901 and, in Hanna's words, "that damned cowboy" becomes President. At 42, Theodore Roosevelt has wide popular appeal matching the spirit of the day - expansive, confident, and intent on exercising power as never before. Roosevelt clears the fetid atmosphere, seeing people, doing paper work, cutting red tape, and adoring his new role. Hanna (who put McKinley in office) and Adams are not enthusiastic, but reporters and their readers love the short, stocky chief executive and his lively young family. Roosevelt quickly proves effective in getting things done.

Cultivated, worldly, patriotic, inspired by heroic exploits, boundless in his love of...