Rating: 
Summary: A great subject, but simply too long.
Review: TR was, by any estimation, one of the greatest Presidents in U.S. history. His reforms were sweeping, well-timed, and continue to generate change. However, I was not greatly impressed with Morris' treatment of the subject. Particularly, there was a bit too much description of events that I viewed as having little relevance. For example, sometimes several pages would be used to describe minute details of a particular hunting trip. TR was an avid sportsman and I agree that these types of insights can give a better picture of the man. However, when this treatment is applied to every event, the book just tends to get longer and longer.My only gripe was that the book often got bogged down in minor details. If it were a bit more concise, it would be a must read. As it stands, I consider it good but not great.
Rating: 
Summary: After the rise, a leveling off, alas.
Review: With the exception of men who ascended to the presidency from generalship in war, TR along with Jefferson must be among the few whose presidential years were less exciting, even anticlimatic, to what went before. And this book reflects that falling off. After the long wait for the appearance of this volume, those of us, and they were multitudes, who had thrilled to the "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" which was certainly one of the classic biographies to appear in the last quarter of the 20th century, cannot help but feel a sense of let-down at the dutiful but dull rehearsal of TR's bland presidential years. Politics seems a bit of a bore here, confining to TR's genius, keeping him strained at the leash in spite of his many successes and mastery of the role.
Somehow I have a suspicion that the final volume (The Decline of TR?) will return Edmund Morris to the level of brilliance demonstrated in volume one, as he charts the contentious, exciting but tragic last years of one of the American originals.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I waited a long time for this book. After reading "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" several years ago, I eagerly awaiting Morris' continuation of TR's story. Unfortunately, Morris got caught up in writing "Dutch", the misbegotten biography of Ronald Reagan , and didn't finish this book for some time. However, it was worth the wait. Morris picks up where he left off, following TR through his presidency. Once again, this meticulously reasearched book brings TR magically to life. I definitely recommend reading the first book before tackling this one to get a full flavor of the man and his accompishments. Excellent book. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A bit disappointed
Review: After reading The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt, I anxiously started Theodore Rex. I must admit to being a bit disappointed. Either the story of TR is not as exciting once he became president or Morris became bored with his subject. Theodore Rex just doesn't crackle with life as The Rise of... did. It is still a good read, not just up to the high standard set by The Rise of TR.
Rating:
Summary: Fit as a Bull Moose
Review: This is one of the best books ever done on a US president. Morris, after a less than satisfactory turn as Ronald Reagan's biographer, is in fine form and I cannot wait for the next volume in this series. Morris brings a real understanding of his subject in this book, the second in a series, projected to include three volumes. Prior to Morris, there were any number of fine books that dealt with TR's era, but each had its failings. I am happy to state that at last Teddy Roosevelt has found a biography that is worthy of his greatness. The strengths of the book are easy to list. First of all Morris knows his subject. He also understands the era and is very good about providing context. This last quality is something that is necessary in all great biographies, but is lacking in most of them. I cannot wait for the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: The man in the arena
Review: Morris' second book of the trilogy on Theodore Roosevelt (TR) is a most enjoyable read. This book covers TR's White House years and gives great insight into one of Americas greatest presidents and most influential men of the twentieth century. Morris gives you an in depth but not dry look at what TR accomplished in his two terms. He created the Dept. of Interior and protected more land for posterity than any other president. He created the Food and Drug Administration after reading a book written by Sinclair Lewis about the unsanitary conditions in the meat packing industry. He mediated the peace treaty between the Russians and the Japanese after the Russo-Japanese war for which he was the first president to be awarded the Nobel peace prize. He built our Navy from fourth to second place in the world and prepared us for super power status. He was instrumental in our building of the Panama Canal, which made us a two-ocean power. These are just some of the highlights of his busy administration. He wrote over 30 books in his life was fluent in six languages and was an astute politician and statesman. There is much to be learned from reading about this great American, the man who was always in the arena. As a retired Army officer and student of political philosophy, I found this to be a great book on leadership.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This book has been a pleasure to read. The descriptions of the Panama Canal, the peace negotiations between Japan and Russia, the election of 1904, and other major events are written with energy and excitment. The writing slows down near the end of the book but overall this was an excellent book.
Rating: 
Summary: FACTION - better material and narriative elsewhere
Review: Mr. Morris does not seem to have the desire to do the primary research that he did in his pre-Dutch days. There are so many fine works - and so much primary material dealing with TR's life and times remaining untouched that Mr. Morris could have used, but didn't. TR's complex life and times cries out for a good writer to simply and clearly state the facts of this fascinating president. It is a great shame that this is not that book. ROBERT A. CARO HAS SET THE STANDARD for political biography and he has made us aware of how a careful researcher can give real insight into the life and political world of a president. Mr. Morris does not follow Mr. Caro's example. Consider a little of what isn't in this book: If you are interested in how and why TR became the Bull Moose Candidate, don't look here ... Mr. Morris didn't think that TR becoming the last Third Party President elected was worth exploring in any detail! How TR came to the decision to change parties and the story of the policies, politics and power plays that lead to such an extraordinary circumstance could be an entire biography. TR established wilderness protection for the Tongass, the last temperate rain forest in the United States. . . and industry has fought (and won) access to that wilderness despite TR's unprecedented action to protect it from development. Mr. Morris doesn't even note the existence of the Tongass matter, perhaps TR's most important conservation act. Dutch was, in my opinion, pure fiction; Theodore Rex is, in my opinion, mere faction. If you love the popular perception of Teddy Roosevelt - buy the book. If you are a student of political history, the conservation movement, international diplomacy, or the US Presidency...look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Morris continues his gold standard
Review: As he did with the excellent first volume THE RISE OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT, Edmund Morris continues to create a gold standard of biographical portraiture of the man who came to embody and personify the America of the young 20th Century. Using as always his scrupulous eye for fine detail and expert hand at crafting cunning anecdotes (I am ignoring his one great misstep- DUTCH), Morris makes Theodore's trustbusting, conservationalist and imperialistic two term Presidency come to vivid life. Theodore's devout passion for life reverberated throughout the young nation and the world according to Morris who deftly balances (again continuing from his fascinating first volume) praise and criticism. Roosevelt, while beloved as perhaps no other President in history also had his enemies and Morris meets them all head on. That is exactly as TR would have wanted it. The blustery, hyperactive and thourougly intellectual Roosevelt was a complete human being, according to Morris. He was and continues to be a true role model for all. Along with THE RISE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT, this is a must read for anyone possessing even a passing interest in American History. Please finish the third volume Mr. Morris.
Rating:
Summary: Robust Fighter
Review: This book had a few slow spots, I have to admit it. I get to read a lot at work so I don't mind a slow book, but this is a book that could use a bit more editing. But I love history and this is one of our most colorful and intriguing presidents. A fun read and a nice piece of popular history.
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