Theodore Roosevelt

Rating:
Summary: Terrific book conveying the remarkable vitality.
Review: Having read _The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt_ by Edmund Morris, I came under the spell of this amazing American and true hero. Unfortunately, Mr. Morris' book stopped at the point of TR entering the White House. I wanted the all the goods. The book certainly delivers. While Mr. Morris' book proved more riveting during TR's early years of overachievement (early 20's), Mr. Miller's book gave a balanced account of the full life. TR had an akward out-of-office second life; this book captures it, thus applying the counter to the pure hero accounted for during his pre-retirement. A great read on a fascinating subject.

Rating:
Summary: The life of the "Man in the Arena," all in one volume
Review: It is probably too much to ask to try to contain the entire life of Theodore Roosevelt in one book. But Nathan Miller does an excellent job of doing so.

While not quite as detailed as Edmund Morris's planned trilogy on the life of Roosevelt (of which two volumes are complete), it is more than sufficient in it's details of most of his life. My only complaint would be that it does not seem to give as much attention to his post-presidential years as I would have liked, but still, anyone reading this will have an opportunity to get to know intimately one of our greatest presidents.

The book is never dull (how could it be considering the subject?), and if you want the entire life of Theodore Roosevelt gathered in one volume, this is probably the best book of its kind.

Rating:
Summary: Dee-Lighted. (to Quote T.R.)
Review: Miller captures the frentic energy and optimism of the president who could be called the living embodiment of the American ideal.

Theodore Roosevelt's life story is a great study in the art of living life fully. For young people particularly, Roosevelt's example can be a valuable lesson highlighting the benefits of taking risks, seizing the initiative, being true to one's beliefs and taking charge of molding one's personna. Simply put, TR's life shows why a can-do attitude has the chance to produce success when applied consistently to life's challenges and opportunities.

TR's incredible rise and success in public life (as well as family, literary and outdoor life) is due much more to his constatly being in a state of forward motion rather than the execution of any long term plans. This very practical man combined this trait with several extraordinary gifts and a charasmatic personality to will himself on the American people over a thirty year period. It is a remarkable story

All of these facts need an able story teller. Theodore Roosevelt has found one in Nathan Miller. Richly researched, the author weaves facts with well reasoned commentary to produce an easily read tome. This is a fun book to read. It is fast paced and thoroughly interesting. In Miller's hands, TR's lively personality leaps from the page and enthuses the reader.

Rating:
Summary: The Personal T.R.
Review: This Biography of Theodore Roosevelt is a very good and well written accounting of the personal side of his life. The book examines his youth, first marriage, and his time in the west in very good detail. The book fails miserably in it's exploration of the time TR spent in the White House. It falls far short of detailing the day to day political manuvering and his interaction with the other national political players. If you are primarily interested in his personal life, this is the book for you. If you are more interested in the compromise and delicate balanceing act of his national political career you should seek out other works. The biography by Henry F Pringle or Willaim H Harbaugh offer a far superior political biography and spend a little less time on the personal life. Because of this failing Miller's bio is not the advertised COMPLETE life. Other bio's are more Difinitive.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: This book is by far one of the best I've ever read! Although I am only 17 I found it to be very well written and intriguing, not in the least bit boring! I was a bit overwhelmed at first when I found out that the book was 567 pages long but as I began to read the book I found the pages going by more and more quickly. A true biography, it goes from his childhood to his death and details his life in politics, his friends, his foes, and the decisions he made as well as why he made them; also includes many in depth looks at the his private life and the events that shaped him. I hadn't read much of anything ,prior to having read this book, about Teddy Roosevelt and now find myself to be as informed as the most fervent admirer of the former president. Don't pass up the opportunity to read this book, I guarantee you'll love it!