Theodore Roosevelt's Arizona Boys: Cowboys and Politics in the Old West

Theodore Roosevelt reinvented the American presidency for the twentieth century with his use of the bully pulpit and emphasis on “a square deal”—a platform that vowed not to give preferential treatment to anyone. In so doing, he enlivened American politics and made the federal government relevant for the common man. This was especially true in the territories of the southwest, including Arizona, whose people made up the heart and soul of the Roosevelt’s Rough Riders. While the exploits of the famous cowboy cavalry in Cuba in the summer of 1898 have become the stuff of legend, their adventures over the next twenty years were equally fascinating—but they’ve been largely ignored. Marty F. Feess explores the contributions of former Rough Riders who gained political appointment in Arizona. In the process, he explains their contributions to their home state as well as their impact on Roosevelt’s career and presidential administration. Delve into the fascinating relationship the Rough Riders of Arizona had with Roosevelt, and learn how they played a role in politics and in Roosevelt’s career and administration. Filled with humor, hope, and humanity, you’ll love Theodore Roosevelt’s Arizona Boys.