The Romance of My Life: Theodore Roosevelt's Speeches in Dakota

TR always credited his time ranching in Dakota as the crucible that provided him the support in raising his Rough Rider Regiment and paved the way for his later successes. The book contains a chronology of all TR's visits to Dakota, with chapters devoted to each of TR's trips and stays in North Dakota, 1886-1918, giving the text of virtually every speech delivered in North Dakota and the historical background of the speeches. A major influence on Roosevelt's life was the years he spent ranching in the Badlands of Dakota Territory, where he could lead the "strenuous life" and as he developed physically, he also became a man and a natural born leader. TR said that had it not been for his ranching years in North Dakota, he would not have become president. TR quote from back of book, "I must say that here, in this country of hills and plateaus, the romance of my life began .., I had studied a lot about men and things before I saw you fellows, but it was only when I came out here that I began to know anything or to measure men right."