Rating: 
Summary: Must read for those interested in 20th century American Hist
Review: A masterful work that details the ascension of Roosevelt from privileged but frail youth to searching adulthood to American military hero to political fighter to international star. Brands has done a superior job of research and it culminates in a fine portrayal of this romantic figure in American history. While long-winded at times, he paints a fairly objective look at Roosevelt's accomplishments by listing both T.R.'s and his detractors points of view. Most importantly, it shows the reasons for decisions that ultimately shaped the Presidency and the role of government in the following century. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Rating: 
Summary: More properly titled "The Last Eccentric"
Review: After reading this, I was left with the question of why Brands put so much work into this book, if only to slam one of our greatest presidents. Even with my limited knowledge of the man, I noticed many important points left unmentioned.
The author seems to consider every great accomplishment as serendipitous; that TR was a naive bumbler who just got lucky (hence the title of the book).
The book developed a distinctive pattern, so much so that I could predict that whenever Brand became sympathetic or had something good to say about TR, his life was about to take a tragic turn, such as when his youngest son was killed in France.
Brand was never without putting a negative spin on any accomplishment. For instance, writing about TR preparing to broker a peace treaty between Japan and Russia, Brand remarks that TR "wasn't satisfied with being the most powerful man in the New World; he aimed for decisive influence in the Old World as well." This despite the fact that TR didn't volunteer his services--he was requested by the both parties.
Nonetheless, this was a very extensive book and worth the read. It should be balanced by other biographies of this great president and colorful American.
Rating:
Summary: An absorbing biography!
Review: As a Secondary Social Studies Teacher, I am impressed with the easy writing style of H.W. Brands. He has taken the complex life of a com- plex man and created an interesting and absorbing chronicle of Roosevelt's life - a must book for any true student of history! Steve Schockow, Rochester, NY
Rating: 
Summary: Not for fans of TR
Review: As an admirer of Theodore Roosevelt, I was very disappointed in Mr. Brands' book. It appeared to me that Mr. Brands' intent was to analyze the life of this great man strictly from his critic's point of view. While any good biography worth its salt should present a balanced view of the man, Mr. Brands appears to go out of his way to find fault in almost all of TR's actions. TR was by no means a perfect man, however, history has proven him to be one of our greatest presidents. One gets the sense after reading this dreadfully long and depressing account of TR that Mr. Brands'truly disliked his subject.
Rating: 
Summary: Not definitive, but worthwile none the less
Review: Brands, while writing in robust prose worthy of one of the tragically few renaissance men to inhabit The White House, avoides any real serious critical evaluation of Roosevelt's policies (certainly when taken in a 21st Century context). Brands also doesn't truly succeed, in my view, of creating a broader historical context of the world Teddy lived in and how its effects upon us- always a key point in a successful biography. Those criticisms aside, "The Last Romantic" works as a consitently entertaining and colorful character study. And that may very well have been Brands intention. If so, then he has succeeded marvelously so. Roosevelt was many,many things: scientist, soldier, rancher, philosopher, statesman, traveller and historian (this is just an abbreviated list) besides a president who put the "conserve" in conservative; and Brands may be his biggest fan. Sharing Brands' passion for TR going into this book, I had my admiration confirmed. All in all, this book is highly reccomended not so much as historical scholarship, but rather as a fascinating portrait of a fascinating man.
Rating:
Summary: TR sits comfortably in the sitting room
Review: Extensively researched and absorbing to read. Theodore Roosevelt was one of the greats and eloquently portrayed in this excellent and revealing book by Brands. I learned much about the human being as apposed to the personal persona of TR. Although not in the same category as Richard Patton's astounding "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years", Brands biography does a very creditable job of placing TR in our sitting room. So if you want to know the human being with all his foibles,"The Last Romantic" is definitely for you. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Bully Bully
Review: From page 1 to page 800, this book was a treat to read. Everything you ever wanted to know about T.R., it's in this book. In fact, the book was so much fun, i found myself in Oyster Bay, visiting Sagamore Hill after I finished the book. I took the tour of the man's house and it seemed like I had been there before. Thanks sir for writing a great book. It was certainly better than Edmund "Fiction" Morris' account. Also, this book was fair. If you are looking for a complete Pro-Teddy or anti-Teddy account, this isn't the book for you. Kudos!
Rating:
Summary: Best Book of '98!
Review: H.W. Brands has written a masterpiece. TR is at once epic, engaging, forceful and poignant. As an important historical figure, Roosevelt was also perhaps the most interesting person ever to serve as President. Brands' unique style makes this very clear to the reader, and consequently, this book was a pure pleasure to read. Brands is the most eloquent scholarly writer I have ever read, and as such he does justice to his heroic subject.
Rating:
Summary: Anecdotal History
Review: H.W. Brands spends over 700 pages telling short stories about T.R., and while gives a nice over view of the man's life, it is a piece meal discussion. My other complaint is that the book provides hardly any analysis or commentary about T.R.'s policys and actions. He quotes Roosevelt constantly, which helps explain Roosevelt's thougt process, but as with many people, what T.R. thought did not always align with what he did, and Brands fails to fully express this. The biography is a quick read and gives a thorough overview of the life of one of America's most dynamic men, but it never discusses the legacy of T.R. or why what he did is still relevant. A good book for someone looking to learn more about the man, but somewhat lacking for a person who wants to learn more about the man's accomplishments.
Rating:
Summary: TR: The Last Romantic
Review: Having very little knowledge of this man before I started this book, I found the author's telling very informative and fascinating. The fact that he had such an interesting subject didn't hurt, but the writing in this bio was very fluid. I agree with a reviewer named Steve who spoke of TR willingly leaving office too early and not having anywhere else to go but down from the highest office in the world. I also found a fascinating psych analysis made by the author (I believe?) when it was stated that TR's father died after TR had progressed beyond childhood and had begun to step into adulthood, but that the man had not reached that point of manhood where one begins to spot some inconsistencies/weaknesses in their parents. Therefore,he deified his father to a degree TR had, which resulted in TR forever trying to live up to his father's plateau--be that plateau real or imagined. This, combined with the childhood illnesses, explained a lot of the mentality TR displayed throughout his life.
|
