statman's review against another edition
2.0
This is a short book that tells of the story of the Rough Riders, of which Theodore Roosevelt was their leader. They were a volunteer regiment that he put together that fought the Spaniards in the Spanish-American War. It really talks in detail about different individuals in his regiment and battle details. I was hoping to get a broader context of the War and why they formed and the impact they had on the war. It is more of an insider's account but doesn't really help you understand why the Spanish-American War was fought and why people were so willing to fight the Spaniards. So I was disappointed in the book.
tarmstrong112's review against another edition
4.0
Col. Roosevelt's energy and enthusiasm shines in this account of his time as leader of the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War. I enjoyed this account very much, though at times I felt it dragged on in places, it was till very exciting.
Roosevelt does have a highly romanticized view of war, to the point where the wounded men don't make a peep and all the men die valiantly. This view certainly doesn't jive with the sometimes graphic descriptions of the wounds men did suffer written in this book.
Roosevelt does have a highly romanticized view of war, to the point where the wounded men don't make a peep and all the men die valiantly. This view certainly doesn't jive with the sometimes graphic descriptions of the wounds men did suffer written in this book.
mokey81's review against another edition
3.0
It was an ok read. I lost momentum. It wasn't exactly action-packed. But it was fun to read something written by such an important historical figure.
joshuarigsby's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
madoc_mattox's review against another edition
4.0
Occasionally I step outside of my YA and Sci-Fi box, this is a book that interested me because Theodore Roosevelt has been a favorite president of mine to read and learn about. This style of dictating history is not a style I often enjoy, however I believe that knowing I was consuming the perspective of a man I have enjoyed learning about was a nice way of branching into new territory. Lots of detail, it's short in pages but dense. This was not a quick read, but definitely worth it.
acaleyn's review against another edition
3.0
Boy howdy, to see a "red-blooded American"'s point of view at that time period...
http://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/002/081/long-neck-reaction.jpg
http://i1.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/002/081/long-neck-reaction.jpg
msand3's review against another edition
4.0
It's easy to see why Roosevelt rose to such a height of popularity after publishing this book. The entire first third praises the wide variety of men who joined the Rough Riders, listing their various backgrounds, home regions, and skills. He often gives credit to individuals for outstanding efforts or accomplishments while minimizing his own contributions. Yet at no point does Roosevelt seem to engage in false modesty. It's obvious that he genuinely cared for the well-being of his troops. He also clearly understood the Rough Riders to be a type of symbol of democracy itself--men who place aside person prejudices or class differences to come together as a working unit under the command of leaders who earn respect and who are willing to face the same difficulties as the men, but who also acknowledge their natural leadership position within the chain of command. Leaders must be one with their men, but also with a distance that comes with the responsibility of being an officer. They must be firm and never flinching in their discipline, but also empathetic to the needs of the men. They must follow orders, but also know when to break them (in Roosevelt's case, to pay out-of-pocket for extra rations and supplies).
We also get insight into TR's view of masculinity. Real men charge forward without hesitation. They do their duty. And if they are injured, they don't groan and complain like those "realist modern novelists" would have you believe! Instead, they hum "My Country 'Tis of Thee" together in the hospital tent! (Yes, he actually claimed the wounded men did that...) Again, you can tell very quickly why soldiers loved this guy. I also give Roosevelt credit for so highly praising the news reporters who embedded with the Rough Riders, even claiming that Richard Harding Davis was just as courageous as the soldiers. Ol' TR new just what to say to get good press!
The war narrative itself is a bit dry at times, especially compared to the final chapters in which TR describes the landscape of Cuba in gorgeous prose. He certainly had a gift for language, and I found myself wanting to read more of his nature writing after finishing this book. My favorite chapter was actually the final one, in which he describes the men on Long Island mustering out. I can't remember the last time I read such a quintessentially American moment: rugged Southwestern men--fresh from a victorious war campaign--busting broncos, singing songs, and drinking. It sounded pretty amazing. I wish I could have been there to witness it.
We also get insight into TR's view of masculinity. Real men charge forward without hesitation. They do their duty. And if they are injured, they don't groan and complain like those "realist modern novelists" would have you believe! Instead, they hum "My Country 'Tis of Thee" together in the hospital tent! (Yes, he actually claimed the wounded men did that...) Again, you can tell very quickly why soldiers loved this guy. I also give Roosevelt credit for so highly praising the news reporters who embedded with the Rough Riders, even claiming that Richard Harding Davis was just as courageous as the soldiers. Ol' TR new just what to say to get good press!
The war narrative itself is a bit dry at times, especially compared to the final chapters in which TR describes the landscape of Cuba in gorgeous prose. He certainly had a gift for language, and I found myself wanting to read more of his nature writing after finishing this book. My favorite chapter was actually the final one, in which he describes the men on Long Island mustering out. I can't remember the last time I read such a quintessentially American moment: rugged Southwestern men--fresh from a victorious war campaign--busting broncos, singing songs, and drinking. It sounded pretty amazing. I wish I could have been there to witness it.