What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Roosevelts: An Intimate History
Ken Burns · Series · 2014
If you loved The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, start with The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Edmund Morris, 2010) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Roosevelts: An Intimate History across media.
What hooked you in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History was the way sweeping American history is revealed through complex personal legacies.
Books on the same thread
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
Edmund Morris · Book · 2010
Explores: Political ambition, Personal transformation, The strenuous life.
Just as The Roosevelts: An Intimate History captures the evolution of its subjects, this biography explores the personal transformation and political ambition that defined Theodore Roosevelt's strenuous life.
The American Revolution
Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns · Book
Explores: nation building, revolutionary warfare, constitutional origins.
If you appreciated the meticulous archival depth of The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, you will value this companion work that examines the foundational moments of the American government.
No Ordinary Time
Doris Kearns Goodwin · Book · 2008
Explores: Political Partnership, Crisis Leadership, Marriage and Power.
This account mirrors the focus of The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by detailing the intricate political and personal partnership between Franklin and Eleanor during a period of national crisis.
The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys
Doris Kearns Goodwin · Book · 1989
Explores: Political dynasties, American immigrant experience, Social mobility.
Much like the dynasty explored in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, this narrative chronicles the multigenerational ambitions and social mobility that shaped the Fitzgerald and Kennedy family legacy.
Films on the same thread
Lincoln
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2012
Explores: American Civil War, Presidential Leadership, Abolitionism.
This film echoes the presidential leadership themes found in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by focusing on the moral courage required to navigate a nation through a transformative war.
Quiz Show
Robert Redford · Film · 1994
Explores: Integrity vs. Ambition, The Price of Fame, Truth vs. Deception.
While distinct in setting, this film shares the fascination with the American Dream and the intersection of public ambition and private integrity central to The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.
The Last Emperor
Bernardo Bertolucci · Film · 1987
Explores: Imperialism, Cultural Revolution, Loss of Innocence.
This epic biography matches the historical scope of The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by examining the decline of an imperial life against the backdrop of massive cultural revolution.
Reds
Warren Beatty · Film · 1981
Explores: Russian Revolution, American Socialism, Radical Politics.
This film reflects the political intensity of The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by documenting the life of a figure driven by radical ideology and commitment to a global cause.
Podcasts on the same thread
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Political scandal, Archival research, Cultural impact.
If the research-heavy, documentarian approach of The Roosevelts: An Intimate History resonated with you, this podcast series provides similar depth by uncovering the hidden characters behind major political scandals.
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
Much like the biographical storytelling in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, this series satisfies a curiosity for the obscure life stories that contribute to the broader American cultural fabric.
Keep exploring
Common questions
How long is The Roosevelts: An Intimate History?
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History is a seven-part documentary series. In total, the film spans fourteen hours of runtime, covering over a century of history from the birth of Theodore Roosevelt in 1858 through the lives of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Is The Roosevelts: An Intimate History the first documentary to combine the stories of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor?
Yes, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History is the first major documentary television series to interweave the individual stories of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt into a single narrative, chronicling their lives as three of the most prominent members of the Roosevelt family.
What time period does The Roosevelts: An Intimate History cover?
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History follows the family for more than a century. The narrative begins with the birth of Theodore Roosevelt in 1858 and continues to chronicle the lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt throughout their time as influential figures in American politics.
Who is featured in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History?
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History focuses on three specific members of the Roosevelt family: Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor. The series chronicles their individual lives and political influence, weaving their separate stories into one cohesive narrative over the course of the seven-part documentary.