Rating: 
Summary: Intresting reading and fine research
Review: I repeat my review in order to link it to my newly created Amazon account.I cannot speak highly enough of this book. The meticulous research and the flowing style of narrative make the biography both historically accurate and wonderfully entertaining. I felt at times that I was reading a novel. I was daunted a bit at first by the sheer size of the tome, but once my nose was in it I found it difficult to put down. One of the things that make this book different than the run of the mill biography is the sources the author used. He draws upon not only ommonly available documentation, but also upon personal letters to and from Roosevelt and his family, associates, cabinet members, and others. Also, the collection of photographs is in chronological order, which allows you to get a photographic history as well. The only instructive criticism I would give is that there is possibly a little too much psychoanalysis from the author on some of Roosevelt's motives. This should in no way discourage anyone from reading this gem of a book. My highest regards and kudos goes to Mr. Brands for a most excellent contribution to my library.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but lacks depth
Review: If you are seeking a reliable and definitive book on TR's early years, the choice is Edmund Morris' 1979 biography. David McCullough's examination of Roosevelt is also essential (both books are available on Amazon). This book is breezy, sometimes entertaining, but ultimately shallow. It would be interesting to those who know little or nothing about Roosevelt, but a significant disappointment to those who are better versed in TR's life. One notes that there is absolutely nothing new in the book: no new historical discovery, photograph, insight or theory. Brands writes well and weaves together a cohesive narrative, though skimpy in TR's post-Presidential years which are absolutely vital to understanding his ultimate guilt and grandeur. The author also is fairly strong in describing TR's two marriages and his complicated and neurotic relationship with eccentric daughter Alice. The narrative is much weaker when it comes to illuminating Roosevelt's years as Governor of New York and the details of his Presidential administration. Roosevelt remains one of the most fascinating, exuberant and fun men in American history, but this book adds nothing significant to the canon of Roosevelt literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Changed my mind about TR
Review: It's always a good feeling when a snippet from a high school or college history book (in this case, "Roosevelt was a rugged individualist") is put into context. It is true to say that Roosevelt believed in hard work and that he expected it of others, but simplifying Roosevelt by simply calling him a rugged individualist ignores the complexity of the man. H.W. Brands does an excellent job of keeping with the rugged individualism theme while illuminating other aspects of Roosevelt's life. While I picked up the book having a great respect and admiration for the man, when putting Brands' book down, I had to admit that I wasn't sure anymore. Brands' Roosevelt to me seems moderately egotistical, slightly unbalanced and thoroughly unique in that he didn't conform to what others expected of him. Add to that Roosevelt's intense patriotism and personal insecurity and you have a man who is much more intersting. He ceases to be the face on Mt. Rushmore, and more an object of pity...at least in the humble view of this reviewer. I recommend this book, especially for those who are more interested in getting to know a person than getting to know a president.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my mind about TR
Review: It's always a good feeling when a snippet from a high school or college history book (in this case, "Roosevelt was a rugged individualist") is put into context. It is true to say that Roosevelt believed in hard work and that he expected it of others, but simplifying Roosevelt by simply calling him a rugged individualist ignores the complexity of the man. H.W. Brands does an excellent job of keeping with the rugged individualism theme while illuminating other aspects of Roosevelt's life. While I picked up the book having a great respect and admiration for the man, when putting Brands' book down, I had to admit that I wasn't sure anymore. Brands' Roosevelt to me seems moderately egotistical, slightly unbalanced and thoroughly unique in that he didn't conform to what others expected of him. Add to that Roosevelt's intense patriotism and personal insecurity and you have a man who is much more intersting. He ceases to be the face on Mt. Rushmore, and more an object of pity...at least in the humble view of this reviewer. I recommend this book, especially for those who are more interested in getting to know a person than getting to know a president.
Rating:
Summary: Book About Big Teeth Got Bite!
Review: Mr. Brands factual and seamless account of the first Roosevelt in office left me unable to set the book down. Beginning with TR's frail health as a child, Brands showed TR's innocent enthusiasms of American History, most notably his fascination with his "rebel" uncles that served the Confederacy in the Civil War. The love and devotion beset on him by his parents, mixed with no small quantity of favortism, had driven him to great lengths to develop not only his mind, but his frail health too. The Cuban campaign, thought "suicidal" his family, was what started and maintained to this day, his Rough Rider Image that we know is Teddy Roosevelt. Brands gives a most astonishing account of TR's capacity for diaries. Most days of his life were astutely recorded, noting thoughts, feelings, ideas. The tragic account of the death of his first wife, then his second marriage to his childhood sweetheart, shows the heart of the man that marked the beginning of the twentieth century. This book gives insightful detail to his brashness, his follies, and respect for office. He single-handedly created the nation of Panama (they were rebels) with the building of the Panama Canal, and tried to get the English Language re-written for the sake of easier spelling. Though serving 7 years in Presidential office, he was only elected once (he was McKinley's Vice President), and refused a re-election based on the fact he considered his first 3 years as rightfully his. Ultimately this left me with what I thought was a greater understanding of his life, his traumas, his accomplishments. Politically he did much in the 20th century to help shape a political arena which in some ways still exist today. A must read for anyone reading about Presidential Biography, or 20th Century development.
Rating:
Summary: Bully! Hurrah!
Review: Surely this is one of the finest examples of human complexity ever recorded by man! Brands, an outstanding writer/historian, lays bare Theodore Roosevelt-- warmonger, peacemaker, elitist, common man, trust-buster, conservative, explorer, soldier. Roosevelt was truly a force of nature, and this book does a fantastic job of showing that. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A cogent and engaging biography
Review: T.R.:The Last Romantic effusively illustrates Theodore Roosevelt's accomplishments and foibles in an intelligent manner. The best biography about T. Roosevelt that I have read. This book and The Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt should suffice as all one needs to know about a most interesting American President.
Rating:
Summary: A Solid, but Uninspired, Biography
Review: The early years of T.R.'s life are well defined and interesting in this solid biography. However, once T.R becomes President things seem a bit rushed. It's almost as if the author lost interest in his subject once he entered the White House. Brands is sympathetic, but even-handed in his assessments of Roosevelt's' strengths and faults. One easily accepts Brands premise that much of Roosevelt's life was spent over-compensating for his early frail health and is as amused as the author clearly is at Roosevelt's occasional macho antics. Brands frequently quotes Roosevelt to good effect and provides some historical background. However, I would have liked to see more of a historical overview during T.R.'s two terms in office as President and especially his run for a third term at the head of the "Bull Moose" Progressive Party. This critical period of T.R. (and the Republican Party's) life does not come across in enough detail or context. Overall, unless you're a T.R. buff or a die hard biography fan, I'd give this 800+ page book a pass. Much better to read his truly excellent biography of Ben Franklin, The First American.
Rating:
Summary: a biography of politics
Review: The first third or so of this book I found very enjoyable. It dealt with TR's early life and the circumstances and events that shaped him as a man-both morally and politically. About a third of the way through however; the book begins to concentrate almost exclusively on TR's political life, covering every bill and move made by himself or his political party. If you like the minute details of political life, you'll like this book. I didn't.
Rating:
Summary: Great Place to Start for fans of Roosevelt
Review: The sheer size of this book is probably going to prevent most people who aren't avid Teddy Roosevelt fans from picking it up, and that's too bad. This is a wonderful book, factually presented and egagingly written that will keep the reader going. And, though it's a biography and HAS to stop when the life of the subject does, it'll leave you wishing that life had lasted a little longer.
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