Dan Abrams and David Fisher’s novel, “Theodore Roosevelt For the Defense” is a captivating look at the rampart corruption in both the democratic and republican parties in New York State in the first two decades of the 20th century. The type of corruption that the great TR fought against his whole life. Both parties were controlled by “bosses” who did not want to give the people the vote in choosing state senators, but instead wanted to keep the status quo, and more or less let the bosses choose the men they could easily control and put them into power while the bosses made deals to line their pockets with cash.
The book recounts the trial that saw Colonel Roosevelt accused of libel by big time Republican boss William Barnes. I won’t get into the trail or tell you the verdict, but the unfolding courtroom drama that last six weeks is a disturbing, eye-opening look into the politics of corruption and self interest. I strong
ly recommend.
A Curious View 