There were more than a few courtroom confrontations in the past hundred years or so that earned the title “trial of the century.” One that was dubbed such by the press occurred in the spring of 1915 in Syracuse, New York and is recounted in THEODORE ROOSEVELT FOR THE DEFENSE by Dan Abrams and David Fisher. It was a libel trial, and the defendant was the former President of the United States, who was sued by William Barnes, a powerful figure in the New York state Republican Party whom Roosevelt had called out as a corrupt party “boss” in a published newspaper article which castigated both Barnes and his counterpart in the Democratic Party for ignoring the will of the people at the expense of moneyed interests who donated generously to both parties. Though from a well to do family himself, Roosevelt had spent most of his political career – which included Police Commissioner of New York City, Secretary of the Navy, Spanish American War hero, Governor of New York, Vice President, and then President at age 42 upon the assassination of William McKinley – advocating for the common man, and for reforms which curtailed the power of the corporations and the wealthy. He had bucked men like Barns before, most notably in the Presidential election of 1912 when Roosevelt walked out of the Republican Party when men like Barns, who controlled the state delegations to the national convention, denied him the nomination. Roosevelt ran and lost in the general election as the candidate of the Progressive Party. Feelings were still raw a few years later, and Barnes asked for $50,000 in damages in what was clearly an attempt to humiliate a political enemy in the court of public opinion as well as the courtroom.

Coming in at just under 400 pages, THEODORE ROOSEVELT FOR THE DEFENSE is well researched, as Abrams and Fisher rely on transcripts of days of testimony, not only of Roosevelt and Barnes, but a whole slew of New York politicians and businessmen, including the former President’s distant cousin and future President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and future Governor and Presidential nominee, Alfred Smith. Both Roosevelt and Barnes had very able legal representation, who argued well for their clients. The reader gets a good feel for the give and take of the trial, and of the personalities involved. But I think many readers may find some of this to be a slog at times, as the fine details of the backroom political dealings that went on in the state legislature over the filling of a United States Senate seat, and the decision making process over what company would print documents for the state can get tedious and hard to follow. On the other hand, this book is a vivid reminder that the issue of money in politics is not even remotely new. That a century ago, Americans were alarmed that powerful corporate interests and wealthy elites exerted far too much influence on those in the political process who were more than happy to take their money, and do their bidding at the expense of the great many Americans who lacked deep pockets, but who labored every day to make the country work, and who expected to be treated fairly. The issue that no man is above the law also comes into play, as Barnes’ lawyers argued that no man, not even a charismatic and popular public figure, could sully another man’s reputation without consequences. What also comes is what made Theodore Roosevelt such an effective leader in his time, not only was he a big and vivid personality, but he stands with Lincoln in his ability in his use of the English language as a weapon in the political arena. The man thrived on challenge and was utterly unafraid of confrontation. On the stand in his own defense, neither his own lawyer nor the judge could contain him. How sorely do we need a leader like him today?

While this book might be mostly enjoyed by those in the legal profession, it is a must read for Teddy Roosevelt fans, and for those who like a deep dive into now forgotten history. ( )

TR at his best defending his honor. A great man. ( )