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: 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: An absolute masterpiece!
Review: I bought this book due to interest peaked by "Time" Magazine's article written about T.R. as one of the great American's of this century.This book is all you could ever want to know about T.R. Right from the beginning we become aware of T.R.'s incessant patriotism and inherent duty to serve his country. In the middle you'll become enraged at why he won't leave the Republican party alone (or the Democrats, for that matter). But by the end you'll understand that he did it all because he loved his country too much to see it falter (according to his standards, anyway). From his time at Harvard to his cattle-ranching in South Dakota to his New York Governorship to his Asst. Navy Secretary position and finally the Whitehouse, an extremely thorough picture of T.R. is presented. As the book goes towards closure, you get a great sense of why T.R. was one of the greatest presidents, I believe second only to Lincoln (who was T.R.'s idol), this country has ever seen. Through it all, T.R. remained true to himself, he lived to serve the common American, and that was the secret to his success. A marvelous achievement!
Rating:
Summary: Detailed research combined with interesting reading
Review: 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 commonly 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 constructive 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: This is a good book
Review: I found this a good book, but not a great book. I did not enjoy it as much as the Franklin biography by Brands. He certainly had a compelling character to work with who lived in interesting times, and he didn't overdo the growing up pscyhological stuff, although there was some of that covered. Perhaps the biggest problem is that the subject's life was least glorious after he left the Presidency, when he was more jealous and irrational than he was before that.
Rating:
Summary: Clear and well-researched, but not too inspiring
Review: I read this simply because I felt I didn't know as much about Teddy Roosevelt as I wanted to, and this book appeared to be the best choice for remedying the situation. In that sense, this book was a definite success. Brands writes clearly and objectively, although he doesn't have the writing style to create a memorable phrase or an evocative sentence. If he has one overriding thesis concerning Roosevelt, it is that he (TR) was a throwback to the era of romantic heroes, and became popular and effective at exactly the time when America was looking for such a hero. It's a plausible thesis, but it is somehow insufficient to make the book catch fire. The book is a biography as opposed to a political history. If the purpose had been a close examination of Roosevelt's presidency or his accomplishments as a public official, it would have been very different. The time he spent as president is just one 7-year period in his life, and it is treated that way. So those of us who read the book for an in-depth treatment of the Roosevelt era in terms of governmental policies and decisions are likely to be disappointed. Did I come away with a greater appreciation of Theodore Roosevelt after reading this book? Definitely not. Roosevelt comes across to me as one of those politicians (Al Gore is another) who regard the lives of millions of American citizens as nothing more than the clay from which they will fashion their artistic masterpieces. It is the obligation of those millions of citizens to subordinate their own interests to the overriding purpose of creating a noble and heroic nation - "noble" and "heroic" to be defined, of course (in this case), by Teddy Roosevelt. I am appalled that he would have been considered to be the fourth person on Mount Rushmore in the company of Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson. (By the way, it is noteworthy and not surprising that Roosevelt despised Jefferson.) But I don't believe that Brands intended his readers to come away with the same opinion that I developed. He presents the facts as he sees them, and presents them evenhandedly. I think other readers with a more "progressive" political slant than mine will read this book and think TR was a wonderful guy. I haven't read any other books on Roosevelt, so I can't compare this one to anything else. But as a straightforward and unbiased account of his life, this book does a solid and satisfying job.
Rating:
Summary: Clear and well-researched, but not too inspiring
Review: I read this simply because I felt I didn't know as much about Teddy Roosevelt as I wanted to, and this book appeared to be the best choice for remedying the situation. In that sense, this book was a definite success. Brands writes clearly and objectively, although he doesn't have the writing style to create a memorable phrase or an evocative sentence. If he has one overriding thesis concerning Roosevelt, it is that he (TR) was a throwback to the era of romantic heroes, and became popular and effective at exactly the time when America was looking for such a hero. It's a plausible thesis, but it is somehow insufficient to make the book catch fire. The book is a biography as opposed to a political history. If the purpose had been a close examination of Roosevelt's presidency or his accomplishments as a public official, it would have been very different. The time he spent as president is just one 7-year period in his life, and it is treated that way. So those of us who read the book for an in-depth treatment of the Roosevelt era in terms of governmental policies and decisions are likely to be disappointed. Did I come away with a greater appreciation of Theodore Roosevelt after reading this book? Definitely not. Roosevelt comes across to me as one of those politicians (Al Gore is another) who regard the lives of millions of American citizens as nothing more than the clay from which they will fashion their artistic masterpieces. It is the obligation of those millions of citizens to subordinate their own interests to the overriding purpose of creating a noble and heroic nation - "noble" and "heroic" to be defined, of course (in this case), by Teddy Roosevelt. I am appalled that he would have been considered to be the fourth person on Mount Rushmore in the company of Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson. (By the way, it is noteworthy and not surprising that Roosevelt despised Jefferson.) But I don't believe that Brands intended his readers to come away with the same opinion that I developed. He presents the facts as he sees them, and presents them evenhandedly. I think other readers with a more "progressive" political slant than mine will read this book and think TR was a wonderful guy. I haven't read any other books on Roosevelt, so I can't compare this one to anything else. But as a straightforward and unbiased account of his life, this book does a solid and satisfying job.
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: 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: 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!
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