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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Teddy and Booker T. summary
How Two American Icons Blazed a Path for Racial Equality
22 mins
Brief summary
Teddy and Booker T. delves into the pivotal friendship between Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington, highlighting how their collaboration significantly influenced the progress of civil rights and social justice in early 20th-century America.
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Teddy and Booker T.
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Very different upbringings
Booker T. Washington didn’t exactly get a head start in life. Born into slavery in Virginia in 1856, he spent his early years toiling in poverty even after emancipation granted him freedom at age nine. But Washington wasn’t about to let hardship squash his determination to make something of himself.
Working long days in the coal mines and salt furnaces of West Virginia, the young Washington became intent on learning to read and write. A kindly woman took notice of his drive and gave him reading and writing basics. This lit Washington’s hunger for knowledge into a blazing fire.
At just 16, Washington walked 500 miles to enroll in a secondary school for African Americans called the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. Too broke to afford tuition, he offered his janitorial services in exchange for schooling.
At Hampton, Washington found a mentor in General Samuel Chapman Armstrong. Armstrong preached self-reliance and believed skilled trades were the key for recently freed Black people to succeed. Washington also benefited from the nurturing attention of influential teacher Nathalie Lord, who helped him hone his natural gifts for rhetoric and public speaking.
After graduation, Washington spent several years teaching Black students in rural schools across the South. Four years later, Armstrong invited him to join the staff at Hampton Institute to teach newcomers basic literacy. Despite Washington’s limited formal education, Armstrong had been impressed by his moral character, work ethic, and vocational skills – traits he believed students should aspire to.
Unlike Washington, Teddy Roosevelt was born in 1858 with every advantage – a wealthy New York family and all the best schooling. But he was plagued by health problems including asthma, and his dad warned his weak frame couldn’t support his big dreams. Roosevelt took that as a challenge to whip his body into shape.
As a teenager, he accompanied his family on trips to Europe and Egypt and indulged his adventurous spirit through mountain climbing, horseback riding, and rifle shooting. During the Civil War, while his father paid $300 for a substitute to avoid fighting, Roosevelt saw his mother’s brothers enlisted for the Confederacy, admiring their display of honor and duty.
In college, Roosevelt stretched his social muscles among Harvard’s student body. Tragically, his dad died while Teddy was studying there, leaving him devastated but even more motivated to live purposefully.
After graduation, Roosevelt enrolled at Columbia Law School but quickly lost interest in becoming a lawyer. He dropped out after one year to pursue his passion for writing and political engagement. In 1881, he published his first book, a well-received history called The Naval War of 1812. Through these early life experiences, the wildly different men developed persistence and fortitude that would serve them well on the public stage.
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What is Teddy and Booker T. about?
Teddy and Booker T. (2023) tells the story of how President Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington, two wildly different Americans, faced the challenge of advancing racial equality in the early 1900s. When Roosevelt welcomed Washington into his circle of advisors in 1901, they confronted violent racist backlash, having risen to prominence in an era of increasing Jim Crow laws and lynching. Though coming from vastly different backgrounds, both men embodied the pioneering American spirit and believed progress was possible through collaboration.
Teddy and Booker T. Review
Teddy and Booker T. (2021) explores the extraordinary friendship between two iconic figures in American history, Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington. Here's why this book is worth a read:
- Offers a fascinating insight into the relationship between two influential individuals, shedding light on their shared vision for progress and equality.
- Presents a compelling narrative that chronicles the challenges they faced and the impact of their efforts in shaping the United States.
- Provides a fresh perspective on this friendship, revealing the nuances of their collaboration and highlighting their contributions to American society.
Who should read Teddy and Booker T.?
- History buffs
- Leadership readers
- People looking to be inspired
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Teddy and Booker T. FAQs
What is the main message of Teddy and Booker T.?
The main message of Teddy and Booker T. is about the friendship between Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington, and how they overcame challenges together.
How long does it take to read Teddy and Booker T.?
The reading time for Teddy and Booker T. varies depending on the reader. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Teddy and Booker T. a good book? Is it worth reading?
Teddy and Booker T. is worth reading as it sheds light on an important and inspiring friendship in history.
Who is the author of Teddy and Booker T.?
The author of Teddy and Booker T. is Brian Kilmeade.
How many chapters are in Teddy and Booker T.?
There are 15 chapters in Teddy and Booker T..
How many pages are in Teddy and Booker T.?
Teddy and Booker T. contains 320 pages.
When was Teddy and Booker T. published?
Teddy and Booker T. was published in 2021.
What to read after Teddy and Booker T.?
If you're wondering what to read next after Teddy and Booker T., here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- How To Live An Extraordinary Life by Anthony Pompliano
- Be a People Person by John C. Maxwell
- Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday
- You Can Do It! by Rob Schneider
- Hardcore Self Help by Robert Duff
- At War with Ourselves by H. R. McMaster
- Tribal by Michael Morris
- Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond