Rating: 
Summary: A very good book about a very great man.
Review: Theodore Roosevelt is one of my idols- a President who didn't need a war to prove his greatness. TR was a President who dramatically and forever redefined the role of the chief executive in the political process. TR was a President who seemed larger than life somehow. A sickly child, TR was the son of a prominent New Yorker who he lost his wife after she gave birth to their child and fled to North Dakota to become a rancher after having served in the New York State Assembly. He returned to politics to unsuccessfully run for Mayor of New York City, and then became U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, New York City's Police Commissioner, Under Secretary of the Navy, hero of the Spanish-American War, Governor of New York, and then Vice-President and President in 1901. After his Presidency TR explored Africa and South America (nearly losing his life in the process), and then returned to launch one of the most successful third-party Presidential candidacies in history in 1912. Finally he died in 1919, after having lived a life that others can only dream of.David McCullough and Edmund Morris both wrote excellent biographies of TR's early life, but finding a good one-volume story of TR's entire life is a rare thing. Thankfully H.W. Brands is up to the task. He covers all of the bases and includes information about the time and places that shaped Roosevelt's life. Like McCollough, Brands aims more for an informative look at TR's life than a narrative. Those who admire TR as I do will be quite satisfied with this book.
Rating:
Summary: A superb biography;
Review: This book does a masterful job of telling the life story of one of America's most interesting presidents. A comprehensive bio, from birth to death, I can't imagine how it could be improved, unless one were to change the title. (I concede that TR was a romantic, and I concede that my definition of "romantic" might be different from that of the author, but I cannot concieve of a definition of "romantic" that would allow Roosevelt to be declared "the last".) But other than that very minor quibble, I find nothing to object to; the story is told in detail, the writing is very fluid and pleasurable to read, and the author, while obviously very impressed by the subject of his book, nonetheless remains fair: when Roosevelt is in the wrong, the author doesn't hesitate to admit it, as when he (Roosevelt) frequently falls prey to his tendancy to demonize his opposition at every turn, or when he berates an opponent for cowardice for making a compromise that, had Roosevelt himself made it, would have been defined (by Roosevelt) as "statesmanlike". Defnitely the definitive biography of Teddy Roosevelt.
Rating: 
Summary: Captures the essence of TR in 816 pages...
Review: This book does a more than adequate job of painting a vivid portrait of this influential president. The style of writing reflects the subject, and there are many informative stories which depict T.R. at his best and worst. I have two complaints about this book, however. First, although it is always difficult to choose which material to include in such a biography (and Brands does an admirable job in 816 pages) the author focuses too much attention on T.R.'s childhood years, and not enough on the presidential and post-presidential periods. The other complaint is one I commonly have of political biographies--there is not enough detail concerning his motive for entering the political "arena." One minute he is a law student, the next he is consorting with politicans and contemplating a life of politics. There is little discussion on his motives for doing so. Despite these shortcomings, I recommend this book for the reader who wants to view the big picture of T.R. in one volume.
Rating:
Summary: TR.............too soon the President
Review: This book is an engaging, well-crafted study of Teddy Roosevelt. I found the book very pleasant and informative reading. Despite the 800+ pages, it took only a brief time to finish the entire book. The author allows TR to shine through in his own words as well as a generally sparkling narrative. One fascinating conclusion I drew from the book that TR was a man who became president about 10 years too early, then became an old(er) man with his glory days behind him. The last ten years of his life were spent twisting at windmills, bullying friend and foe alike while attempting to regain the power that he willingly gave up after 1909. Allowing a little bit of political opinion, one wonders if we will see similar behavior by the present White House occupant who also will leave a relatively young man. (Something to think about.) Nonetheless, the book is a fine testament to TR's immense talents, ego and passion. TR was a great man, a great president, but not without his flaws.
Rating: 
Summary: Details Ad Nauseam
Review: This is quite a richly detailed biography of Theodore Roosevelt, but is so long-winded, I think even T.R. himself might get bored at times with this story. T.R. is a fascinating, mythical character and one of the great leaders rising from the American republic. Perhaps I cannot become as enthralled with the minutiae of politics as others seem to be, but in my opinion, about one-third of this book could have been edited out without losing the essence of this very energetic and courageous President of the United States. This book is a good effort and worth reading, but not as well-written as it could or should have been.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This is the most enjoyable presidential biography I've read. The level of meticulous research is incredible - but if you're not a historian don't let that scare you. The writing style is fast paced and should appeal to the non-scholar general public. There is really never a dull moment as the 800 + pages fly by. The reader is always kept interested. The book deserves a wide readership and in a more perfect world would be a huge best seller the way McCullough's 'Truman' was a few years back. The essence of T.R.'s fascinating life and times are captured in terrific fashion.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent biography
Review: This is the only biography of TR I've read, so I can't compare it other TR books. But as a biography, it was one of the most well written, highly readable books I've ever read. For a book that is 800 or more pages, it reads very quickly. Despite incredible attention to detail, the author never loses his way. TR comes out looking like a complex, intriguing figure who was able to capture the romanticism of his time and personify it. Highly reccomended.
Rating:
Summary: TR: Last Romantic in the post heroic age
Review: This single volume work on Theodore Roosevelt strives to encompass the energy and drive of Theodore Roosevelt in one volume. This is indeed an energetic undertaking, and the author succeeds admirably. He spends considerable time flushing out a covey of early life formative experiences that profoundly influenced his life, and shaped his views and approaches to problem solving. For everyone sick and disgusted with today's apparent American trend of vicitimization ideology, this book will serve as a brisk wakeup call. Although Theodore was born wealthy and never suffered pecuniary hardships, he nonetheless had his own challenges. He met them head on and always fought to be a winner. In an age that ipso facto celebrates the individual at the expense of the group, and views the role of government and its agents as event facilitators a review of "TR" is refreshing. Today our heros, according to the news, are sportspersons and overnight nouveau riche. The common man, the Willy Loman's of the world, are trampled in the rush to instant megahype success and stardom, itself obtained on the day in, day out hard work of the very people it ignores. TR was a heroic, romantic leader, who worried about the press later (he did sue, and was sued for, libel). There were no opinion polls, much less overnighters. TR sought to identify the issue, address the issue, and resolve the issue as best as possible. This book will also serve as an interesting opening look into Roosevelt's practice of RealPolitik, American style. Roosevelt and WJ Bryan dominated the American political stage for 15 years, and left a legacy that endures today. Roosevelt, although idealistic, was tempered by realism: he sought to maximize his opportunities, identify early his defeats, and cut his losses. The period of the book that deals with the Presidential years may disappoint some; it shouldn't. This one volume work is not intended to delve into the depths of policy making and implementation through the seven and 1/2 years that Roosevelt was President. Rather, it is intended to define that man himself, in order to provide a better understanding of the headline banner issues of Rossevelt's presidencies. If you were to attempt to read one biography of each American President, this is the one to read for TR.
Rating:
Summary: This is a good book
Review: Wow...TR: The Last Romantic is insightful, inspiring, educational and fun! A head-on collision with history, politics, government, diplomacy, leadership, biology, American culture, masculinity and more, as T.R. comes brilliantly to life. 900 pages of sheer delight! I only wish there had been more - I intend to read it again!
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: Wow...TR: The Last Romantic is insightful, inspiring, educational and fun! A head-on collision with history, politics, government, diplomacy, leadership, biology, American culture, masculinity and more, as T.R. comes brilliantly to life. 900 pages of sheer delight! I only wish there had been more - I intend to read it again!
|
