|
American Princess
by Stephanie Marie Thornton delves into the larger than life
of America's darling, First Daughter Alice Roosevelt. As the
oldest child of Teddy Roosevelt, the press swarmed upon her
as they do the Royal family today. The book describes how
Alice became a rebel having to endure betrayals, scandals,
and tragedy; yet through it, all maintained her wit and composure.
The
author found Alice to be, "Bombastic, a larger than life
figure just like her father. Alice was brash, bold, and non-apologetic.
She never hid her emotions, but a Roosevelt family trait was
not to talk about their personal grief. "TR's" death
had to be a pivotal moment in her life; yet, even in her memoirs,
she did not write about it. The way she coped with all the
tragedies was to throw herself into something. People said
of all the children she was the most like her father, intellectual
and charismatic. She pushed the envelope and broke all kinds
of boundaries like her dad. I think she was a woman a little
ahead of her time.”
Feeling
that she must compete for her father's attention Alice, "did
crazy and wild things publicly to get her dad's attention.
In my research I found how Alice, as a two-day-old, "TR"
passed her to be raised by her aunt because he was not coping
with losing his wife and mother on the same day Once he remarried,
Edith, she insisted that they take Alice back and raise her.
Alice and her family never talked about her mother. Possibly
because she was a constant walking and breathing reminder
to "TR" of the wife he loved so much and lost."
Alice
was described as unapologetic, unconventional, beautiful,
headstrong, fashionable, and influential. She was someone
who did not take kindly to societal norms as she shot a gun,
chewed gum, smoked cigarettes, played poker, and participated
in car chases. But she also used her celebrity status, becoming
savvy at using her political influence. After all, she was
a President's daughter, wife to the Speaker of the House,
mistress to an influential Senator, and became a Washington
fixture.
Readers
feel as if Alice is speaking directly to them as she explains
her life of ninety-six years. Overflowing with political history,
scandal, and societal norms, this novel gives insight into
the life and times of Alice Roosevelt.
|