I am without any doubt, one of the most controversial leaders who lived at the dawn of the Twentieth Century. Few people can lay claim to the to the titles of college athlete, naturalist, conservationist, big game hunter, soldier, and politician. Most would be content with experiencing one or two of the challenges that I faced. I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time so that I influenced the development of the United States as a world power. All the while, I thoroughly enjoyed my life and managed to fulfill most of my childhood dreams.
             I was born in New York City, on October 27, 1958, as the son of Theodore and Martha Bulloch Roosevelt. As a boy, I suffered from severe asthma and until approximately the age of 11, I was frequently sick. I loved the outdoors and was usually alone looking at the world of nature, which fascinated me. The other kids in the neighborhood usually excluded me from their activities because I was smaller and weaker than most, and I was often picked upon. Nevertheless, one day, my father told me something that changed my life forever. He said, "You have the mind but not the body and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. You must make your body."(Paxson 1) With this inspiration, I used the small gymnasium that my father built for me on the second floor of our home. I could be found there daily using the dumbbells, punching bag and other paraphernalia. As my physique improved, I eventually took boxing lessons, wrestling instructions, and jujitsu. (Encarta 1) As I eventually overcame my asthma, I looked and felt like a normal kid. After hard studies with my tutors, I entered Harvard University, and graduated in 1880.
             While at Harvard, in October of 1879, I met my future wife, Alice Hathaway Lee. I courted her for a year and then married he in 1880. After marrying Alice, I immediately became involved in politics, and in 1881...