Rating: Summary: Why did I wait so long to read this book? Review: I bought this book in 1995, however, because it is quite large, three busy years and many other 'smaller' biographies came and went before I finally started his one. That was a big mistake. I just read "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" in one week, completing it on December 7, 1998.I hope that Morris entertained and informed me with many 'facts' of TR's life and times, however, because I consider every author's or speaker's 'interpretation' of the facts equally valid (or 'flawed'), and because I read so many histories /biographies, I truly enjoy a story very well told that adds suitably fitting bricks and morter to 'my' (valid or flawed) interpretation of the structure that is our world. Edmund Morris made me very happy. And although I wanted to read more Morris pages about TR, the title of the book was clear: "The Rise..." My first action upon completing the book was to see if Morris had written another book that followed "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt." Sadly, I found none. I will continue to hope for an additional Morris volume about TR (as I continue, as well, to hope for an additional Manchester volume about Churchill). I highly recommend this book to all students of history.
Rating: Summary: Well written, informative Review: Not a dry treatise - reads well. A man whose reality is larger than his myth.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Biography Review: Morris demonstrates that he is a writer to contend with. Working with Theodore Roosevelt as a subject, he had an easier task than if he were writing of someone else since Roosevelt was for much of his life at the center of all activity. Yet he does all of this with such panache that I was truly sorry to have the book end. There is much more that I want to know about Roosevelt.
Rating: Summary: A boring book, but once in a while a little interesting Review: Edmund Morrus tries to make The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt a great book, as he provides just about a whole written out recap of Theodore's (Teedie's) life. Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906, and there is only one sentence reguarding this fact, which kind of dissapoints me, as I was counting on reading a lot about him signing the many peace treaties. I gave this two stars, and choosing from Excellent, Good, Mediocre, Bad, Horrible; my answer would be in the middle of bad and mediocre.
Rating: Summary: Very good, just not quite balanced Review: Whilst I enjoyed this book, and found it to be illuminating and entertaining, I found that the writer only dwelled heavily on the positive aspects of Roosevelt's character and persona. The writer chose not to discuss the downsides of Roosevelt's clear snobbery, Consider for example his reaction to the Irish emancipation movement and the dreadful conditions in Ireland at the time of his visits. Roosevelt was clearly an anglophile and snob, who could'nt see past his own prejudices.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: One of the best biographies that I have ever read. I can only hope that Morris returns to this subject, and gives us the last 20 years of TR's life.
Rating: Summary: Remarkable. Glowing. Superb detail and storytelling. Review: The "Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" is extraordinary in its detail of young Teddie's life. TR's depth is rivaled by few other chief executives and this book provides fascinating insight into his genius and capacity to lead. No doubt a prodigy of high society, Theodore Roosevelt fights the good fight throughout and seeks adventure like few men before or since.
Rating: Summary: The Right Man at the Right Time Review: He possessed the energy and the foresight needed to truly make America a world power. A naturalist and an environmentalist (for his time). A voracious reader. A tireless adventurer. I could go on and on describing the man; however, I think Mr. Morris could do a much better job! Give this book a chance, you will not be disappointed.
Rating: Summary: All I can say is - WHERE'S THE SEQUEL???? Review: I'm about 75 pages away from the end and I don't want to be. Here is an historic figure made flesh and blood and bone. TR's vitality leaps off each page and makes the reader wish he or she had been one of the lucky ones to have known him. His vigor, optimism and unabashed love of country are not exaggerated. I can believe that "The man was pure act." I can't say enough good things about this book!!
Rating: Summary: Detailed, If Somewhat Opinionated Analysis Of A Great Man Review: Mr. Morris writes in a very fluent style, and appears to write a very balanced bio of T.R.'s first 40 or so years. I couldn't help but notice the slight antagonism that he showed when giving an opinion over some aspects of T.R.'s motives, such as describing him as being a kind of megalomaniac or seeming to show some hypocrisy in criticizing certain types of hunting (the idea is that all hunting must be bad). One of the main issues for me was when he alluded that T.R. was partially responsible for the premature death of his brother Elliot's wife, Anna. T.R. is portrayed here (and other places) as a kind of cold-hearted tyrant, keeping the poor, downtrodden Elliot from his beloved, forgetting the abuse he freely dispensed toward her. I think that 80 percent of the book is five star material, the other 20 percent being the reason for the average rating. Readers wanting to get other perspectives on T.R.'s life should read "Theodore Roosevelt: A Life" by Nathan Miller, "T.R. - The Last Romantic" by H.W.Brands, or "Mornings On Horseback" by David McCullough. The latter will give you another excellent record of T.R.'s early life. I would, however, definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in this multifaceted, energetic historical person.
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