Strock, James M.

James M. Strock identifies nationalism as the bedrock principle of Theodore Roosevelt’s political philosophy which he contends overrides categorizing Roosevelt as either conservative or progressive. Strock identifies, explains, and provides examples of the ten planks of Roosevelt’s nationalism, including patriotism, social mobility, service, and building the ranks of the middle class. The essay is populated by many excerpts from Roosevelt’s writings and speeches, especially the “New Nationalism” speech of August 31, 1910. In keeping with the content of that address, Strock includes many references to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.

A photograph, political cartoon, and painting of Roosevelt join another political cartoon in illustrating the book excerpt.

James M. Strock reviews Jon Knokey’s Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of American Leadership and praises it for its treatment of Theodore Roosevelt’s leadership of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War. Strock notes that the book traces the dual emergence of Roosevelt and the United States as leaders, and he commends the work for its treatment of Roosevelt’s early years. Strock concedes that much of what is covered in Knokey’s book is familiar, but he deems it worthwhile because of Knokey’s perspective as a younger scholar.

The front cover illustration of the book accompanies the text.

In his review of Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense: The Courtroom Battle to Save His Legacy, James M. Strock notes that its authors, Dan Abrams and David Fisher, are especially well-suited to tackle this subject because of Abrams’s extensive legal background and Fisher’s work on a prior courtroom drama book. Strock praises the authors for placing Theodore Roosevelt and his testimony in a 1916 libel trial at the center of the work, and he notes that Roosevelt handled himself well during the trial given his familiarity with legal issues stemming from his time as a law student at Columbia University to his friendship with the highly respected lawyer Elihu Root.

The cover illustration from Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense and a photograph of Roosevelt supplement the review.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

In his review of Geoffrey Cowan’s Let the People Rule: Theodore Roosevelt and the Birth of the Presidential Primary, James M. Strock highlights Cowan’s treatment of Theodore Roosevelt’s relationship with African-Americans, especially during his 1912 Progressive party campaign, and he takes issue with Cowan’s interpretation of Roosevelt’s anti-trust record. Strock also believes that Cowan places too much stock in contemporary sources, and he believes that Cowan does not see Roosevelt, or other political leaders, in a heroic light. Strock provides a brief overview of Roosevelt’s campaign and notes the consequences for himself and the Republican party.

Two photographs and the front cover of Let the People Rule accompany the review.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

James M. Strock examines Theodore Roosevelt’s approach to leadership by identifying and exploring twenty tenets of Roosevelt’s leadership style. Among these are seizing the initiative, hiring talented subordinates, and delegating authority. Strock draws extensively from Roosevelt’s leadership of the Rough Riders and his management of the Panama Canal construction for examples with which to illustrate Roosevelt’s leadership, and he cites Elihu Root and Gifford Pinchot as examples of talented subordinate leaders. Fifteen of the twenty tenets offer examples of how Roosevelt managed those who worked for him in various capacities.  

Six photographs populate the article, including ones of Roosevelt, Root, and Pinchot. 

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal