mdunnbass's review against another edition
I have always heard fantastic things about Teddy Roosevelt. The man was in his day as much of a bigger than life figure as Vladimir Putin is today, except for, you know, the whole murderous KGB/Bond villain vibe. Also, he gave us Teddy Bears and the Forestry Service. So, I wanted to know more about him. This dude Edmund Morris had written a biography of Teddy back in the 70s, and recently wrote another one. I thought, Gee, that sounds really cool, and both got fantastic reviews. I'll read one. Instead of what I was expecting, I got an hour by hour account of the man's presidency. Hour By Hour Account. It was mind-numbing. Not Recommended
statman's review against another edition
3.0
it is not completely obvious, but this book is the second in a sequence of biographies about TR. I did not read the first one and it would have been nice to have done that before reading this one. This book just covers his presidency, from the day he was sworn in after the assassination of McKinley to Taft's inauguration day when he left the White House. Nicely done book that covers the 7 year time period.
aschepis's review against another edition
5.0
This brilliant second volume of Roosevelt’s life covers his two terms in the presidency. Although the ending is never in doubt as we march towards Roosevelt’s dignified exit from power I couldn’t help but feel a pit in my stomach when the time finally came
acarman1's review against another edition
4.0
This volume marked a triumph for me in that I realized recently I had already read books 1 and 3 of the trilogy. Now I have read them all. Edmund Morris is a very engaging writer who can make even the minutiae of international diplomacy and backroom political dealing read with urgency. Theodore Roosevelt really comes alive in these pages as the true force of nature he was. Strong emphasis is given to his focus on balance in international relations and his drive to establish the United States on the world scene as a first rate power. The bulk of the book deals with his quest to establish the Panama Canal and all the wheeling and dealing that went with that. But his involvement with civil rights, conservation and fighting the excesses of big business are also dealt with thoroughly and in a fascinating fashion. Those who mourn the loss of Roosevelt's equestrian statue outside the Natural History Museum would do well to note that the modern United States has turned its back on all his most cherished ideals: social protections for the poor and working class, rules regulating big business, clean politics, environmental protections and a firm commitment to international alliances. I think Roosevelt would be more dismayed by that than by what happened to a statue of him.
If there is a drawback to this book, it is that Morris does tend to get a little too celebratory at times and give short shrift to Roosevelt's errors. The discussion of his horrific persecution of the Brownsville soldiers, his move away from Booker T. Washington in an attempt to win votes in the white supremacist South and the dirty deals he cut to get the Panama Canal done is very quick and tends to be accompanied by excuses rather than simply admitting Roosevelt was wrong. In particular, the discussion of Brownsville and also the abuses of American soldiers in the Philippines would have allowed an opportunity to notice that TAFT and not Roosevelt correctly assessed the situation and urged his chief to do the right thing, but Roosevelt could not countenance the embarrassment of the "good old boys" running the military. Morris does admit that TR, for all his great qualities, was still a man of his time with the racial and ethnic prejudices of a wealthy white man in NYC, but these could have been explored more to give a little balance to the picture. Roosevelt, warts and all, as it were.
Still all in all, this three-volume series IS the standard on Theodore Roosevelt. Despite being hulking books, they are well worth the time to read and anyone serious about understanding the life and legacy of our 26th president would do well to look at them. Put the time in rather than look for caricatures. The real man was even more impressive.
If there is a drawback to this book, it is that Morris does tend to get a little too celebratory at times and give short shrift to Roosevelt's errors. The discussion of his horrific persecution of the Brownsville soldiers, his move away from Booker T. Washington in an attempt to win votes in the white supremacist South and the dirty deals he cut to get the Panama Canal done is very quick and tends to be accompanied by excuses rather than simply admitting Roosevelt was wrong. In particular, the discussion of Brownsville and also the abuses of American soldiers in the Philippines would have allowed an opportunity to notice that TAFT and not Roosevelt correctly assessed the situation and urged his chief to do the right thing, but Roosevelt could not countenance the embarrassment of the "good old boys" running the military. Morris does admit that TR, for all his great qualities, was still a man of his time with the racial and ethnic prejudices of a wealthy white man in NYC, but these could have been explored more to give a little balance to the picture. Roosevelt, warts and all, as it were.
Still all in all, this three-volume series IS the standard on Theodore Roosevelt. Despite being hulking books, they are well worth the time to read and anyone serious about understanding the life and legacy of our 26th president would do well to look at them. Put the time in rather than look for caricatures. The real man was even more impressive.
adamhecktman's review against another edition
5.0
The current administration could learn a hell of a lot from Teddy Roosevelt and his administration.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
This volume is much more focused on politics than The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, which is to be expected because this is the volume that covers TR's years as president. I found this book every bit as easy to read as the first, but I'm more interested in TR as a person, which is why the book got 4 stars instead of 5. I just don't seem to retain the political facts as well as I do the personal anecdotes.
I think my favorite part of the book was when Morris quoted TR as describing a dull-minded ambassador as having a brain that ran on "eight guinea pig power."
I think my favorite part of the book was when Morris quoted TR as describing a dull-minded ambassador as having a brain that ran on "eight guinea pig power."
tarmstrong112's review against another edition
4.0
This is probably the best volume on the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. However, when I compare it to the first volume in the trilogy by Edmund Morris, it doesn't hold up as well. The first volume was endlessly entertaining, fast paced and full of energy, much like Roosevelt himself. I found this volume to drag on at times, delve into the details maybe a bit too much. This hampered my enjoyment of the book. Especially when I compare it to the first volume. Whether it is fair to compare this volume to it's predecessor may be unfair, but as the second part of a trilogy, naturally the comparisons are going to happen.
If you are looking for an overview of the Theodore Roosevelt presidency, look no further. It's fantastic in that regard. Just do note that it can be very dry at times.
If you are looking for an overview of the Theodore Roosevelt presidency, look no further. It's fantastic in that regard. Just do note that it can be very dry at times.