The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

My first reaction after completing this Pulitzer Prize novel from 1980 was "Wow". Not "wow, this was a great book" (which it was, more on that later), but "wow, what an incredible human being." Let's just say I now have a new hero. Like most Americans, I knew what could be described as the "Cliffs Notes" version of the life of Theodore Roosevelt - a few sporadic highlights from his life, and the fact that he was one of the four faces on Mount Rushmore. And, I mean, if he's on Mount Rushmore, he had to have been one of the "good ones". Right?This book details his life from his birth, up until he's nominated as William McKinley's Vice President in 1901. In other words, before he got to the White House. For starters, let's just say that this man was simply incredible. I don't see how he could possibly have done all of the things that he did throughout his life. The man had unorthodox energy and drive, simply couldn't sit still, and even when his ventures were less than 100% successful, he always took his shortcomings in stride, and relished the learning experiences that these lessons would provide.Born in New York City shortly before the beginning of the Civl War, he was fortunate to be brought into the world by an affluent, yet very kind and loving family. Money was never a concern for the Roosevelts, yet this family was tenderhearted and very socially progressive - something you tend to not associate with wealth and privilege, especially over a century ago when there weren't as many laws about to protect the under privileged.I simply can't go into detail in terms of all of the paths and directions this man pursued. I confess I get exhausted just thinking about the man's life. To be somewhat brief, he was fortunate to receive a Harvard education, began life as an amateur zoologist, travelled to Europe with his family a few times, frequently took trips out to the wild west and started a cattle ranch, became the police commissioner of New York, served as the Assistant Secretary to the U.S. Navy, became the Governor of New York, and charged up San Juan Hill with his team of Rough Riders during the brief Spanish American War - with no military background nor experience. And he managed to write about five or six books (the first while he was still a teenager). All of this before he became Vice President, which he was only 42 years old when he assumed the office.In addition, author Edmund Morris also spends a lot of time detailing Roosevelt's personal life as well. Strangely, the focus on his family life does diminish as the book progresses, and you have to wonder if this is simply because the man had so many irons in the fire of his life. Particular detail is paid to his courtship of his first wife, Alice. This affair could have made a beautiful book in and of itself. Roosevelt, in addition to being such a fastidious task master, he had a brilliant way with words. Whereas his voice and tone was a bit high pitched and annoying (he's one of the first Presidents to have his actual voice recorded for history), he had a masterful command of the English language, and reading his prose and observations were delightful. Many times during my reading, I would break out in laughter while reflecting on his observations - especially when describing callous people (he briefly described one adversary as "mainly wind". I don't know why I find that so humorous, but I'll probably steal that line sometime. I must! ) So his wooing of his first bride was a delight to read about as well, and the two were very much in love.Of course, any life is bound to contain some sort of tragedy, and Roosevelt's is no exception. While his wife was giving birth to their first child, she died due to complications. To compound the tragedy, Roosevelt lost his mother on the exact same day, which happened to be Valentine's Day. He would never really recover from the incident, and refused to even talk about his departed wife throughout the remainder of his life. Ironically, his second wife was a friend of his before he married Alice, and whereas their early relationship was more platonic, there were definitely hints of courtship. Edith Carow would bear Theodore five more children during their life together, and whereas they were deeply in love as well, you can't help but wonder if his first marriage still held a grasp on his heart that he could never quite let go.This books moves at a very fast pace. It simply has to, when you consider all of the avenues that Roosevelt pursued, yet it never feels rushed and is always such a delightful read. Each chapter in this book seems to take such an abrupt turn in the man's life, that you feel like you're reading about the lives of many men rather than just one. It helps, as mentioned before, that Roosevelt was such a purveyor of decency. As soon as he takes over as Police Commissioner of New York City, he sets out to clean up and clean out all of the corruption. He even goes as far as to stop the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Not very radical by today's standards, but he always met up with several walls of opposition throughout his crusades, yet he was never daunted by anything. The man knew what he was doing was right.About the only flaw that I saw in the man's character, was he seemed to believe that the Anglo-Saxon race was the most pure, and therefore, tools such as war were necessary to keep such standards at a high rate. There should be some amount of forgiveness in retrospect, however, as this was just common thinking at the time (along with such things as not giving women the right to vote - which he opposed). This behavior may have lighted an inner fire of passion which help set up Cuba's independence from mother Spain, which is where the Rough Rider phase enters the story. Too much detail for me to go into here, but again, a fascinating story within a story.Morris would go onto to write two more retrospectives on the live of TR. One about his presidency, and the last one on the life after the presidency. Although those two volumes don't have quite the reputation as this one, they're still regarded very highly in the literary community, and I have added them to my ever growing list of books to read in the future.

A wonderfully written biography that manages the difficult task of giving excruciating detail, yet doing so in a way that is engaging to read. The subject is himself a unique and exhilarating man, whom the author allows to speak for himself, as I'm sure Roosevelt would appreciate. Meticulously cited, thoroughly researched, and always clear about where we have to speculate due to lack of documentation.In short, I laughed reverently many times reading this and will likely return to it for some of my favorite moments. Highly recommend for admirers of Roosevelt or simply history buffs.

loved the book read it severial times

Theodore Roosevelt... Harvard graduate, historian, New York state assemblyman; rancher, Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy; Commanding officer of the "Rough Riders;" war hero; Governor of New York; Vice President, and then President of the United States. All of these accomplishments by the time this extraordinary man reached 42 years of age. Theodore Roosevelt's historical achievements are indeed most impressive!In his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt," biographer Edmund Morris masterfully chronicles the life of this mercurial, complex, and paradoxical man who became the 26th President of the United States.Morris's brilliant narrative depicts Theodore Roosevelt as a man who towered over his world. Yet who would have guessed at future greatness for this, the oldest son of one of New York's wealthiest and most respected families? A sickly child, afflicted with constant bouts of asthma and chronic diarrhea, he is seen by his parents as a child "with the mind, but not the body..." for high achievement. But the young Roosevelt senses his own potential for greatness and resolves to strive mightily to achieve it...Throughout his life, TR is a man of many paradoxes. Largely self-educated, he eventually attends Harvard University, from which he graduates magna cum laude in 1880 with a Phi Beta Kappa key in one hand and a membership in Porcellain, Harvard's most prestigious social club, in the other. The son of a wealthy philanthropist, he eschews the traditional, genteel, upper-class lifestyle in favor of the rough-and-tumble of New York politics. A member of the Republican party, he champions progressive reform. By age 26, he has served two terms in the New York state assembly; has earned the begrudging respect of his colleagues; and has authored several significant pieces of reform legislation.After the death of his first wife, Alice Lee Hathaway Roosevelt, and his mother, Mittie (both women die on the same day, in the same house) TR flees New York, heading to the harsh, uncompromising Dakota Badlands to earn his living as a cattle rancher and writer of history books. Here, in this barren country, a startling transformation takes place. The thin, sickly youth of sallow skin and frail constitution becomes the muscular, tanned, robustly healthy man known to history."The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" vividly demonstrates how this intensely energetic politician used his forceful personality in the cause of badly needed reform at all levels of American government. As Morris points out, Roosevelt puts his personal stamp on nearly everything he undertakes. As Civil Service Commissioner during the Harrison administration, he publicly - some say bumptiously - investigates claims of graft and corruption within the Civil Service. He alienates many colleagues, but achieves lasting results. During his tenure, the Civil Service expands dramatically, despite fierce political opposition. The same holds true for TR's tenures as president of the New York City Police Commission (1895-97) and Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1897-98.)In 1898 a series of unexpected events propels TR to national prominence. When war breaks out between the United States and Spain, TR asks for and receives commission in the New York National Guard. Soon he has assembled a tough group of cavalrymen called the "Rough Riders" - friends from his days at Harvard and in the old west. On July 1, 1898, TR and his grizzled band of soldiers will enter the pantheon of American heroes at a place in Cuba called San Juan Hill...After the Spanish-American War, TR returns to New York and runs for Governor. After a tough, closely fought campaign that features former "Rough Riders" endorsing their candidate, TR is elected by a razor-thin margin of 18,000 votes out of nearly 1.1. million votes cast. TR will only spend a year in the governor's mansion, though. By 1900, New York's "old pols" have had enough of Roosevelt's attempts to force progressive reforms through a recalcitrant, conservative New York legislature. Considering TR "too dangerous" to keep on as governor, they make an arrangement to get Roosevelt on the national ticket. McKinley agrees, and an Roosevelt enthusiastically becomes McKinley's running mate.In November 1900, McKinley easily wins re-election and Theodore Roosevelt becomes Vice President of the United States. Ten months later, on September 6, 1901, at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, President William McKinley is gunned down by a young anarchist...Not since I read William Manchester's two-volume "The Last Lion" biography of Winston Churchill have I read a book that's as good as "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt." Make no mistake: this book is as good as biography gets! Here is the powerfully eloquent story of one of the most gifted and controversial men of the twentieth century, and perhaps even of all time."The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" reads almost like a novel. I haven't found a single part of this book that I would classify as "dry" or boring. In fact I found it pretty hard to put down once I started reading it. Part of the reason for that, I suppose, is because TR's life was so darned fascinating to begin with; but give Edmund Morris his due. He has told the story of Theodore Roosevelt with tremendous style and panache."The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" is a fair and balanced biography, although Edmund Morris displays an obvious affection for his subject. Morris combines an intellectually stimulating and literate historical narrative with brilliantly insightful historical analysis. Roosevelt's less attractive qualities - his impulsiveness, his emotionalism, and his attempts at self glorification among others - all receive full coverage in this masterful book.Edmund Morris has written an extremely readable, highly entertaining, and factually sound biography. In "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt," he completely captures the essence of this towering early twentieth century figure, making him totally relevant to today's readers. "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" is a biography that's indeed very well worth reading!

I know quite a few people that did not read this book and went to the next in the series. This book is excellent and needs to be read to fully appreciate the man.

An absolutely fantastic read about the life of a one in a generation individual.This is such an inspirational book, the man has lived so many lives within one that ended too soon.I can't recommend this book enough to anybody, it is just fantastic.

Superb in-depth story of a complex and fascinating man. The gold standard

This book is excellent for three contrasting reasons; primarily it is a detailed, accurate and revealing biography of, arguably, one of the finest statesmen of all time; secondly reading the book gives you a sense of a young Roosevelt's drive and ambition which inspires the reader to lead a more purposeful life; finally it is an exceptional historical piece which contextualizes the rise of Roosevelt within the second half of 19th century.I've read the book twice now and I'm sure I'll be picking it up again in the future.

The book arrived which is a positive however even after purchasing a new one on-purpose I received one with scuffs and folds to the edges and with the front cover being slightly too small for the book which is a shame due to it being a Christmas present.

A good read. Not as good as the Caro Johnson biography but interesting insight into the US social and political landscape in the late 19th century (I've only got that far!) A long book.