The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

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!

In more than 700 pages of text in this book, there is hardly a dull page. The main reason for this, of course, is TR's fascinating, energetic life. He was -- in no particular order -- an amateur naturalist of note, a decorated soldier, an historian, a rancher in the Badlands, a government officer pushing for reform in the civil service, Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, a state assemblyman, New York's Governor, and finally Vice President. It would be difficult to write a dull book about such a man.

But Morris deserves some credit as well. I've read several other biographies of Roosevelt, and while many of them are quite good -- even great -- this is the best. I believe Morris's style as well as his control of the material is the best explanation for this. Much of the writing is beautiful. Even Morris doesn't approach it in his other books.

But here Morris shows a poet's gift for metaphor and simile. In explaining how reserved, emotionally stunted men like Henry Adams, Thomas Reed, and Henry Cabot Lodge put up socially with the rambunctious Roosevelt, Morris writes they "...grew dependent upon [Roosevelt's] warmth, as lizards crave the sun." There are numerous examples like this in the book.

While "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" should probably be described as a political or historical biography, one doesn't need to have the slightest interest in either to enjoy it. Roosevelt's own ambition and energy, the circumstances of his life, and Morris's writing will drive anyone's interest.

Starting with Theodore's birth and ending with the death of President McKinley, thereby making Vice-President Roosevelt the youngest (still) President ever, this book covers every aspect of Roosevelt's life and his ascent in politics .

We see him change his mind over and over in college about what career he will pursue. We witness him attempting to win over the heart of Alice and later her death while in labor on the same day as his mother's death from cancer.

We follow his rapid political career. First as state assembly man, then as federal Civil Service Commissioner, then New York City Police Commissioner. Also well documented and are his years as Governor of New York, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (his passion) and finally his short stint as Vice-President.

More than anything else, we see Theodore Roosevelt the human. His personal triumphs and defeats. His loves (hunting, reading, writing and reforming) and his dislikes (corruption, ignorant people who have more power than him). We also see him at his happiest and his darkest days.

As a former resident of North Dakota, I always heard about Theodore Roosevelt while growing up. After reading this first part of the planned trilogy, I feel like a close personal acquaintance. I almost feel like a friend.

I knew very little about Roosevelt going into this book and I can't understand why, as a New Yorker, I never learned about this most remarkable New Yorker in school. Children should learn his story - it's an exciting adventure that could ignite a lifelong love of history in a child.

In my opinion, the thing that makes "The Rise..." great is that Edmund Morris worked so hard to convey his enthusiasm for his subject through his writing. His fascination with TR is contagious. I caught it immediately and am so glad that I did.

Roosevelt was simply amazing. A true Renaissance Man. He overcame childhood illness with sheer will and determination. He authored books on subjects as wide-ranging as naval history, ornithology, the West. He took the New York Assembly by storm at 23. He was (to name a few things) a rancher, a mayoral candidate, a reformer, a police commissioner, an assistant Secretary of the Navy. And then came the Spanish-American War and his heroic stint as leader of the Rough Riders. He was semi-reluctantly drafted to be McKinley's Vice President and "The Rise..." takes us up to the days after an assassin's bullets felled McKinley and Roosevelt was (at 42) on the brink of the Presidency as McKinley hovered near death.

I can't imagine the 21-year wait for "Theodore Rex" - it is a luxury to jump seamlessly from this book to its sequel, as I have.

Although there is so much to this book, one thing I found particularly interesting in terms of the insight it offered into Roosevelt's maturity, wisdom, ambition and keen awareness of how to use the media came from his days as a New York Police Department Commissioner. There was a rarely enforced Sunday Excise Law which prohibited the Sunday sale of alcoholic beverages. Roosevelt sought to enforce the law without exception. It caused an uproar - he was absolutely hated by some (yet loved by others - temperance groups). But he wanted to expose corruption in the ranks and he was savvy enough to realize that sometimes any publicity is good publicity. And he was giving a lesson to legislators as well. "Roosevelt argued that honest enforcement of an unpopular law was the most effective way to bring about its repeal. Legislators should think twice about passing laws to favor some voters, then neglecting them to please others." (p.520) The lawmakers were trying to have it both ways, in passing a law to gain favor with the pro-temperance rural vote yet not enforcing it in order to cater to the tavern owners and those opposed to the law. Roosevelt exposed their scheme and cleaned up the ranks of the police department in one fell swoop. And he kept his name in the papers, gaining widespread notoriety.

"The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" is a wonderful book that richly deserved all the accolades it received. Morris makes other very talented biographers pale in comparison. You will love this book.

If after you are done, you can't wait to read more about TR you should consider reading T.W. Brands the Last Romantic to complete the story of TR's life.

Morris' research appears to be first-rate, and instead of voicing his own opinions on TR (whatever they may be) he allows his subject to speak for himself. The fact that Morris has written this biography in a style that the average person can understand helps immensely. He has not written just a bald recitation of facts; he has apparently been given access to Roosevelt's private journals, as well as similar documents from people who knew or worked with him. The result is, for all intents and purposes, a look inside the mind of one of the greatest political and historical figures of the early twentieth century.

I was halfway through this book when I realized that I wanted to know more about TR as told by Morris. Accordingly I went out and bought the next volume, "Theodore Rex". Without even opening it I can feel sure that it will be just as good a book as this one. But according to the blurbs and reviews on the back cover, that book only covers Roosevelt's presidency. I hope that Morris is hard at work on a third volume covering TR's post-presidential years, and that it will come out soon.

There is only one thing wrong with this book, but it has nothing to do with its contents. Apparently the folks at Modern Library (the paperback publishers) are skimping on quality. As I read the book, the front cover on my copy started to tear at the spine, and I had to tape it to stop it from tearing any further. Normally, once I finish a book I put it on Amazon's Marketplace so someone else can buy and enjoy it. Not this time; I would be ashamed to send this to anyone.

Because of that I would say, do buy this book - but if at all possible get the hardcover edition.

In terms of research, Morris' study of Roosevelt is of monumental proportions. Personal correspondence, diaries, letters, public papers, books by Roosevelt, and books about Roosevelt all form the sea of sources that Morris successfully and impressively navigated.

I'm very happy that, like so many other people, I waited to read 'Rise of TR' after 'Theodore Rex' was published, as I don't think I would have been able to wait to continue reading Morris' account of this amazing man's life and accomplishments.

Great biographies manage to both give you insight into the subject but also illustrate the times, and Morris does a phenomenal job of both. He colorfully describes TR's private and public lives, including the death of his first wife, his stint as NYC Police Commissioner, his journeys to the Badlands, and his time as Secretary of the Navy.

Through first hand accounts we are made to really understand Roosevelt and his mannerisms, his moods, and his passion. Morris is able to connect all of the varied aspects of TR's life -- his environmentalism, his war-like impulses, his reformer nature.

This is a vivid, compelling biography that gives you the measure of a great, great man. Morris is not a prolific writer, but he is a gifted one.

"The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt" richly deserves the honor of being one of the finest biographies ever written. It is a gold standard of the biographical genre as it manages to deftly and expertly balance scholarship with entertainment.

Along with David McCullough's equally excellent "Truman" this certainly stands as required reading for anyone interested in Presidential history in specific and American History in general. Purchase this. You will not be dissappointed.

Morris is essentially spinning a yarn, telling the tale of an astounding and unbelievable character who, incidentally, happened to be a real person. Morris writes like a great epic novelist, and Teddy Roosevelt is the perfect protagonist.

The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, and its sequel Theodore Rex, are unlike any other biographies I've read. They move quickly and flow freely, and come off like a great action adventure. These are biographies for lovers of the genre, yes, but also for those who would think they couldn't stomach cracking the spine on one.

Beginning with he President's New Year's Day Reception of 1907, the book quickly jumps back to a very youthful TR. In the following pages we read of the close relationship between TR and his father. We read of the father who, by example and word, taught TR his greatest virtues of honesty, social responsibility and concern for others. It was this father who drove him through the streets of New York to get him over his asthma attacks as well as the one who told him that he "had the mind, but not the body" and that he must build his body. When TR was contemplating a scientific career, it was this father who told him that he could pursue such a career, "if I intended to do the very best that was in me; but that I must not dream of taking it up as a dilettante", but that he would have to learn to live within his means. Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.'s payment of a substitute during the Civil War left his son with a sense of guilt which could only be assuaged by his own military service. We learn of the shattering effect that this father's death had on the Harvard student. As president, TR would remark that he never took any serious step without contemplating what his father would have done.

Much attention is given to the "Roosevelt Museum of Natural History" assembled by the young taxidermist. This was the first of three career paths considered by TR, scientific, which he abandoned, literary, which supported him for much of his life, and political, which became his life work.

We learn of TR's loves, both of Edith and Alice. We learn of how TR pursued love with the same vigor and intensity that he pursued everything else which he desired. The death of his mother and Alice on Valentine's Day, 1884, which drove him into ranching in Dakota, would be almost as shattering as the death of his father.

There are details of TR's young life of which I had been unaware, prominent among them are his extensive travels in Europe and the Middle East.

In the course of this book we see the step by step maturation of TR from the snobbish Harvard freshman to the inclusive leader which he later became. College, romance, politics, ranching and war all played their parts in the development of the character of TR.

During his political career, TR's outlooks on issues developed, but his core values never wavered. From his first caucus meeting, uncompromising honesty was a trademark of TR's character and his demand from others.

TR always walked a tight rope between independence and party loyalty, earning both the support an enmity of reformers and the organization alike.

After having established himself as an unrelenting foe of corruption during his service on the U. S. Civil Service Commission and the New York Board of Police Commissioners, his appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Navy enabled TR to act on the world stage. Taking advantage of Secretary Long's frequent and extended absences, TR prepared the Navy for its spectacular successes in the Spanish-American War., a war which TR had worked so hard to bring about.

The war gave TR the opportunity to pay his inherited debt by service in the Rough Riders. Organizing a volunteer cavalry of westerners, Indians and Ivy League athletes, TR had to work to get his men equipped and to the front. Their heroic charge up San Juan Hill is the stuff of which legends are mad and TR made his legend as a Rough Rider.

Exploiting his martial glory, TR road into the Governor's mansion where he continued to walk the fine line between independence and party loyalty. His successes he won and the enemies he made lead him to the vice-presidency.

I have mentioned just a few of the highlights of TR's young life, but this book covers many more. Morris employs a talent to tell the details without becoming bogged down. Read "The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt" to learn of TR's early life and character and then bring on "Theodore Rex".

My enjoyment of the book was enhanced considerably by consulting numerous internet sites for information about TR and other characters in the book. Such sites contain photos, voice clips, film clips and other valuable materials. The book itself has only a few pictures, and does not always place characters in the larger context of the 19th and 20th centuries. I was able to create a coherent picture of Roosevelt for myself, by listening to his strange voice, and mentally projecting it onto that toothy face from various pictures. Furthermore, I consulted the internet to supplement my limited knowledge regarding Elihu Root, John Hay, JP Morgan, Philander Knox, Booker T. Washington, Alice Roosevelt, and many other important people who made appearances in the book. Having pictures, film clips, voice recordings, and bios at my fingertips made reading the book much more enjoyable.

Morris starts right at the beginning, addressing the turmoil that helped shape Teddy during the American Civil War and the political infighting that Roosevelt blamed for the death of his father. A son of privilege, Morris doesn't shrink from the advantages Roosevelt had during his life, and he's more than willing to address Roosevelt's mistakes as well as his successes. But Roosevelt was such a driven man, he managed to overcome his mistakes and be consistently successful for most of his life.

Morris has done a great job of packing this volume with information without making it overly wordy. Instead it's an easy read that fairly flies by. I'm looking forward to reading _Theodore Rex_.

It immediately gripped me with brilliant vignettes from his childhood and each stage of his life. These childhood and adolescent views were my favorite as Roosevelt became a person shaped by the pursuit of principles and determination to overcome incredible obstacles. If you need personal inspiration in facing your own mountains, here is a life you can adapt as a historical mentor even if your political or social views differ.

You can almost here Roosevelt in the pages saying, "These were the days the politics was great fun." Indeed, the volume convinced me that Roosevelt loved to have fun.

You have my recommendation to add this book to your library as one of the best Presidential biographies you might ever own.

Here's a sample of this interplay, with Morris describing the young man Roosevelt approaching his new house, Sagamore Hill. "As Roosevelt drew nearer, its newness and rawness became more apparent. The mustard-colored shingles had not yet mellowed, and the green trim clashed with florid brick and garish displays of stained glass. However, flowers were clustering around the piazza, last year's lawn's had come up thick and velvety, and spring rains had washed away the last traces of construction dirt. Roosevelt might be excused a surge of proprietary emotion." Highly recommended.

Even if you normally shy away from historical works, I urge you to take this one on. It'll be the quickest and most enjoyable 800 pages you've ever devoured in your life. TR's story will stick with you for years to come.