In the Arena: Good Citizens, a Great Republic, and How One Speech Can Reinvigorate America

A vigorous call-to-arms to reignite American citizenship at home and restore American power abroad, using the timeless truths of Teddy Roosevelt’s iconic “Man in the Arena” speech, by the Fox News contributor and decorated Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran.

Pete Hegseth makes an impassioned and experiential argument for how Teddy Roosevelt’s articulation of “good citizens,” “equality of opportunity,” and unapologetic U.S. leadership—“good patriots”—can renew our imperiled American experiment and save the free world, in this fascinating, first-hand challenge to elite progressivism, ahistorical foreign policy, and status-quo politics.

Despite contention surrounding Teddy Roosevelt’s legacy, Hegseth argues that the Rough Rider’s exhortation serves as a timeless wake-up call for our Republic. Hegseth resurrects Roosevelt’s famous “Citizenship in a Republic” address—best known for the “Man in the Arena” quote—as a roadmap for addressing the massive challenges facing America today. In order to rejuvenate what makes America exceptional, we must unapologetically get back into Roosevelt’s arena—as engaged “good citizens” at home and powerful “good patriots” in the world.

Bolstered by gripping personal experience, Hegseth channels Teddy Roosevelt’s words to make a case for turning America’s highest ideals into action through the gritty virtues of citizenship, the dogged pursuit of equal opportunity, and aggressive commitment to winning the wars we fight—including the Iraq War. An exceptional American experiment was entrusted to “average citizens” in 1776 and has been perpetuated by every generation since…until now. If we won’t fight for America, then what will we fight for? And if not now, then when? Get in the arena!