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Author: Edumnd Morris
Title: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
LSU
Rating: 4
Summary: I have come to admire Theodore Roosevelt (TR) as a President, a scholar, a political progressive and an all round interesting guy. I have used the opportunity of summer to read several good books about him over the last couple of years. Most recently, I read The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, the Pultizer Prize winning first volume of Edumnd Morris’ gigantic work about the early life of TR. A sickly but curious child, TR was bookish by nature, fascinated with the natural world and possessed an outgoing personality.
Working through difficult health issues, TR excelled at academics and was admitted to Harvard University. At Harvard, he was thoroughly engaged, both in academics as well as social events. TR concentrated on the natural sciences and eventually on politics in his studies. His father died while he was in college and this major change in his life helped him focus on a career as well as a mate. Marrying the love of his life soon after his graduation from Harvard, he concentrated on law school in New York. An opportunity to enter New York politics derailed his legal education and moved him to Albany. He found his niche in coordinating people and resources toward a public purpose. Many of the people interviewed about TR noted his ability to see quickly through an issue and to plan a course of action. He was insightful, thoughtful and decisive. While these traits did not always make him popular, he was well respected.
TR was a gifted academic in a variety of fields. By age 22 he had written the comprehensive history of the U.S. navy in the War of 1812. Heralded as a monumental effort on both sides of the Atlantic, this book helped cement his reputation as a fine scholar and writer. He wrote about the things that interested him; birds, the west, politics, naval history and geography.
In addition to his interest in politics and science he was eager to see the United States become less isolationist and begin the “spread of democracy” that was to have huge ramifications for over a century in U.S. foreign policy. This eagerness led him to step down from his position as Assistant Naval Secretary and take up a commission as a Lieutenant Colonel in the armed forces. He led a company to Cuba to fight Spain in an effort to free the Cuban population from colonial rule. His heroism as a soldier and leader are legendary.
At the ripe old age of 41 he returned to the national scene and was seen as a contender for the Vice Presidency. Morris’ biography ends just as Roosevelt is elected Vice President. He only holds the office for four days when President McKinley is killed by an assassin’s bullet.
Morris’ book is long ’ 780+ pages and does an admirable job of covering a very active man’s life. The book is quite balanced – there will be no TR worship here. He is quite willing to expose TR’s faults along with praising his accomplishments. I learned a tremendous amount both about TR and about America at the turn of the 20th century. The book was both readable and fun reading and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in American history.
Title: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt
LSU
Rating: 4
Summary: I have come to admire Theodore Roosevelt (TR) as a President, a scholar, a political progressive and an all round interesting guy. I have used the opportunity of summer to read several good books about him over the last couple of years. Most recently, I read The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, the Pultizer Prize winning first volume of Edumnd Morris’ gigantic work about the early life of TR. A sickly but curious child, TR was bookish by nature, fascinated with the natural world and possessed an outgoing personality.
Working through difficult health issues, TR excelled at academics and was admitted to Harvard University. At Harvard, he was thoroughly engaged, both in academics as well as social events. TR concentrated on the natural sciences and eventually on politics in his studies. His father died while he was in college and this major change in his life helped him focus on a career as well as a mate. Marrying the love of his life soon after his graduation from Harvard, he concentrated on law school in New York. An opportunity to enter New York politics derailed his legal education and moved him to Albany. He found his niche in coordinating people and resources toward a public purpose. Many of the people interviewed about TR noted his ability to see quickly through an issue and to plan a course of action. He was insightful, thoughtful and decisive. While these traits did not always make him popular, he was well respected.
TR was a gifted academic in a variety of fields. By age 22 he had written the comprehensive history of the U.S. navy in the War of 1812. Heralded as a monumental effort on both sides of the Atlantic, this book helped cement his reputation as a fine scholar and writer. He wrote about the things that interested him; birds, the west, politics, naval history and geography.
In addition to his interest in politics and science he was eager to see the United States become less isolationist and begin the “spread of democracy” that was to have huge ramifications for over a century in U.S. foreign policy. This eagerness led him to step down from his position as Assistant Naval Secretary and take up a commission as a Lieutenant Colonel in the armed forces. He led a company to Cuba to fight Spain in an effort to free the Cuban population from colonial rule. His heroism as a soldier and leader are legendary.
At the ripe old age of 41 he returned to the national scene and was seen as a contender for the Vice Presidency. Morris’ biography ends just as Roosevelt is elected Vice President. He only holds the office for four days when President McKinley is killed by an assassin’s bullet.
Morris’ book is long ’ 780+ pages and does an admirable job of covering a very active man’s life. The book is quite balanced – there will be no TR worship here. He is quite willing to expose TR’s faults along with praising his accomplishments. I learned a tremendous amount both about TR and about America at the turn of the 20th century. The book was both readable and fun reading and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in American history.