"By turns a colorful triptych of three American icons who changed history and the engrossing story of the roots of World War I, The Approaching Storm is a surprising and important story of how and why the United States emerged onto the world stage"-- In the early years of the 20th century, the most famous Americans on the national stage were Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jane Addams. The three progressives believed the United States must assume a more dynamic role in confronting the growing domestic and international problems of an exciting new age. Following the outset of World War I in 1914, their views splintered as they could not agree on how America should respond to what soon proved to be an unprecedented global catastrophe. Lanctot tells how they debated, quarreled, and split over the role the United States should play in the world. Their clash became an important story of how and why the United States emerged onto the world stage. -- adapted from jacket Provided by publisher.

Prologue: The rough rider, the reformer, and the scholar -- A more complicated world -- A war with which we have nothing to do -- A strict accountability -- A disgrace to the women of America -- Too proud to fight -- "I didn't raise my boy to be a soldier" -- A second crisis -- Preparedness U.S.A. -- Out of the trenches by Christmas -- A world on fire -- A test of strength -- Teetering on the abyss -- Last stand of the Bull Moose -- Summer of anxiety -- An election and a peace move -- Peace in sight -- The final battle.