Theodore Rex

I enjoyed this book. Roosevelt was an interesting person, full of contradictions. He was a man of action, but he loved to sit and read. He was definitely pro-America and wholeheartedly endorsed the Monroe Doctrine, but he also worked hard for peace. He was a family man, but his relationship with

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his oldest daughter remained a complicated one.

I learned a lot about the Roosevelt presidency from this book. I had no idea how close the US came to war, first with Germany and England and later with Japan. I also didn't realize that Roosevelt had tried to move towards civil rights, but faced such stiff opposition that he almost provoked another civil war. I did realize that he was the founder of the conservation movement in government and that he was a social reformer, but it was great to read the details.

My biggest complaint is that while I felt like I got a really good picture of Roosevelt, some of the other players remained a little shadowy. He just sort of dropped these Cabinet members in and didn't give much background of who they were, what they did before serving with the president, and how everyone fit in together. I got a lot of names, all right, but it was hard to keep them all straight. I also think there should have been more in there about McKinley's death and his assassin.

But overall, it is worth reading and I recommend it, especially if you are interested in US history. The author felt that Roosevelt was the most important president since Lincoln, and when I look at all his accomplishments, I might just have to agree. 4 stars.

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Until reading Theodore Rex and Morris' earlier volume, I didn't understand how pivotal a figure Roosevelt was to 20th century history. I was expecting a 2nd volume not quite as lively as the first, but Morris didn't disappoint; this book is very good.

Morris's research is voluminous, and I have no standing to challenge his interpretation of the facts; however, I don't care much for his style. He leaves out necessary "back-story" for many of the political episodes -- which are central to the book -- and is confusing in the explanations he does

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attempt to give. Also, he is overly fond of his lyrical locutions, and archly elite in his vocabulary and phraseology.
Is he cherry-picking quotes to make Roosevelt seem more "Progressive" than he really was? Or is that the genuine TR philosophy?

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This is the second book in Morris' trilogy on Roosevelt's life. I read the first, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, a few years ago and rated it 4.5 stars. This one didn't reach that height for me. The impressive research, attention to detail, and smooth writing are all the same, but as this volume

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dealt with Roosevelt's time as President, there was a lot of information I couldn't keep straight about various bills, Executive Orders, politicians, etc. Still, Morris paints a vivid portrait of T.R. as a transformative figure not only for his party but for the nation. And I very much enjoyed the glimpses into his private life and family.

I look forward to reading the final volume, following T.R. post-Presidential years, later this year.

3.75 stars

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I have to confess, I never quite got people's fascination with TR until I read this book. Morris does a good job of giving back ground information, and he is a good story teller. Informative and Interesting. I can't say he made TR my favorite president, but I know why he is on Rushmore now.

If you

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like well written autobiography, or early 20th century American history, you should thoroughly enjoy this book.

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He got in trouble for his style with Dutch, and it is presaged here. His putting himself inside TR's head drove me crazy. Too much detail and not enough overarching theme.

This is an incredible read. One of my favorites.

Good...but not Great...

This book is a good read for those who would like more background on TR. I was impressed with the research that went into the book but some parts fell flat with added bits of information with no follow up about the story later in the book (i.e. TR's daughter was discussed

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many times and there was no follow up on her later in the book.)

Overall a good read and kept me intrigued throughout the entire book!

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a very positive presentation.

This was a great biography of Roosevelt's time in office. I throughly enjoyed reading it and can't help but recommend it.

Edmund Morris begins Theodore Rex, the second installment of his biographical trilogy, within hours of where he ended of The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. The prologue shows Roosevelt's journey first to Buffalo then escorting his slain predecessor's body to Washington for a public memorial. Morris

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transitions to the main text of the biography when Roosevelt's main duty as President changes from "Chief Mourner" to Chief Executive, and the book then be divided in two corresponding to Roosevelt's two terms.

The first section of the book, detailed the first three and a half years of Roosevelt's presidency and is the strong section of the book. Morris not only relates Roosevelt's innate political skill in dealing with older and more conservative members of the GOP in Congress he had to interact with, but also his belief that as President he needed to do things none of his predecessors had done including cultivating a relationship with the press on an unprecedented scale. Morris' goes into great detail about both domestic and foreign topics that Roosevelt dealt with, in particular battling trusts and Panama. Throughout this period, Roosevelt also outmaneuvered any possible rival for the Republican nomination in 1904 then got elected in dominating fashion.

After the election of 1904, the book's second section begins and there seems to be a shift that becomes noticeable as one reads. While the first section of the book is full of action, the second is sedate by comparison. As Morris explains in the book, because of the way Congress met basically all of 1905 was void of the anything meaningful happening on the domestic front while Roosevelt was active in foreign affairs. But even though this in mind, the fact that not until late 1907 or early 1908 does there seem to be as much activity as what happens in the first section. A important reason is that Morris' touches upon Roosevelt most enduring legacy, his conservationism in establish national parks and monuments for future generations.

By the end of the book, Morris has imparted that the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt has transformative not only for the office but Constitutionally as well to the consternation of long-time legislators who believed Congress should have more power than the President. However Morris never outright states this, instead he gives all the evidence of this throughout the book giving the reader a clear picture of this transformative period in American history. If you are interested in Theodore Roosevelt, early Twentieth Century politics, or American history in general I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

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It's not often one closes a monumental tome wanting more, but then, TR was the sort of president voters wanted to keep in office. Morris covers Roosevelt's personal, political and physical activities from 1901 - 1908 with grace and breadth. Turning to the next of Morris's TR books, Colonel

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Roosevelt, as soon as I post this review.

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To read the first in Edmund Morris' biographical series on Theodore Roosevelt ("The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt"), one might be left with the feeling that it was inevitable that Teddy someday become President. Individuals from his German tutor while he studied abroad to those who came into contact

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with him while he fought policy corruption in New York City, not to mention the men who served with him in the Spanish-American War.

With "Theodore Rex," though, we see a man who is thrust into the Presidency without the opportunity to prepare mentally, as others had through the fire and course of a national campaign.

And yet, after a first term as Governor of New York, it became apparent that those who controlled New York's political machine would not allow Roosevelt another reform minded term. His name bandied around as a candidate for Vice President, Roosevelt was flattered, but convinced that he would be useless, bored, and stagnate. To Roosevelt, a man who above all was in perpetual motion, becoming Vice-President would doom him to irrellivence and uselessness. Unlike today, when Dick Cheney and Joe Biden have exercised greater responsibility and power than any Vice President in memory, the Office of the Vice President at the turn of the 19th century wasn't "worth a bucket of spit," at least to Roosevelt. It took wounded pride to change his mind--hearing that Senator Mark Hanna and President William McKinley did not want him on the ticket, he let supporters know he that he would serve if the Convention selected him.

Little did he know how short his term as Vice President would be. In the ides of September, President McKinley was shot by an assassin and Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States.

That's almost before the book even gets started.

Morris' writing is, as in the first book in the series, novel-like. Theodore strides through his world like a giant, negotiating peace between the Japanese and Russians, supporting the secession of Panama in order to obtain a shorter path for the Panama, building and sending the Great White Fleet, ending a miners strike involving a quarter of a million workers, appointing three Supreme Court Justices, including the great dissenter, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and hosting Booker T. Washington, the first time a black had been invited to dinner with a President at the White House.. Perhaps the only difference between this and the first book is that in feeling. Where the first tells was the life of an ambitious adventurer, "Theodore Rex" is the story of a man under constant scrutiny, on whom the stakes are significantly increased. At times I couldn't help but wonder if it was also the change in the type of documents that Morris is able to rely upon, utilizing more official and government documents than in "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt."

Ultimately, "Theodore Rex" is a fascinating look at one of America's most ambitious, most popular, and most effective Presidents. Coming to power at at time when American power and wealth was growing and as yet unfathomed, Roosevelt took every advantage given to him to expand American power and influence. Morris' "Theodore Rex" is entertaining, education, and compelling, especially for a Presidential biography.

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This is excellent. Theodore Roosevelt is one of the most complex, intriguing and ultimately enigmatic characters in American history. HIs larger than life persona and tendency to active exploits masks his thoughtfulness, and deep intellect. Morris does an excellent job of sorting through the mass

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of data thrown off by this one-man hurricane and providing a clear narrative of the important themes and events of this slice of Roosevelt's life.

This is helped by his decision to follow many different threads chronologically. Rather than have a section on the Panama Canal, another on financial policy, another on foreign policy, etc., all these are interleaved, along with many others. This gives an idea of what it was like for those living with Roosevelt, to have all kinds of different things going on around them all the time. It also helps to bring depth to Roosevelt's character, because he dealt with all this and much more, usually deftly.

Two things struck me. First, the racial politics. I was amazed at how often this was a real issue. Partly, this was because the Republican party of Roosevelt's time was dependent on black votes, and yet white Southerners were an powerful block in Congress. It was really surprising to me how often these two political realities came into conflict.

Second, there is an incident where the US almost went to war with Imperial Germany, and only Roosevelt's tact and quick thinking averted this. Historians have flatly said that he lied about this, until very recently, when previously classified and secret documents from multiple sources have come to light. I have another Roosevelt book in my queue, The River of Doubt. The cover copy mentions that many contemporaries flatly refused to believe his adventure and said that he lied, until recent studies have verified his account. It's amazing to me that, given Roosevelt's history and character, so many people have been so willing to dismiss his statements. How many other presidents have been so insulted, and then vindicated?

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This is a thick book that included a lot of information about the Roosevelt administration. An excellent read if you have a lot of time on your hands and if you are a Roosevelt fan, if not then don't waste your money.

Readable thorough undertaking about another enigmatic president.

Morris is an excellent writer, detailing the life of a very unique man.

I Got very interested about Theodore Roosevelt because of this book. I really enjoyed reading this and I am looking forward to read Colonel Roosevelt.

Morris continues his stellar (one day will be) trilogy of TR's life. This one is just as well written as his first volume, and should have won a similar prize. Great biography of one of the most important presidencies of the 20th century. One gripe: the new fangled reference system. Who decided to

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get rid of proper endnotes? Bastards.

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Like the first book in Morris's series, this volume is massive. It may be a long and slow read, but it's absolutely fascinating--an intimate portrait of a complex yet brilliant man. This covers his terms as president, beginning with McKinley's assassination and ending with Taft ascending to office.

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Roosevelt made many grand strides in conservation, diplomacy, and establishing America's Navy, but nothing is ever in black or white. I had no idea of the drama that went into the Panama Canal, complete with an American-sponsored rebellion to create Panama. Roosevelt's views on race seem backward to our modern thinking, but he was a man of his time and did treat minorities with more fairness than others... and suffered politically for it. He was the first president to invite a black man, Booker T. Washington, to dinner at the White House, and it caused an outrage. He greatly admired the Japanese as a growing military power and saw them as a potential threat to American interests in the Philippines and Hawaii, and so he sent out a Great White Fleet to show off American naval power. He also contributed to a horrible injustice in Brownsville, Texas, when black troops were accused of a riot based on very false evidence and sheer racial stereotype.

Morris's portrayal is fair. He shows the brilliance and the belligerence of Roosevelt. As an author doing research, I found the book to be fantastic. I took many, many notes.

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Edmund Morris's Theodore Rex begins with William McKinley's assassination and Roosevelt's ascendancy to the presidency and continues through the end of T.R.'s second term with Taft's inauguration. Written in a prose style full of direct quotations, Morris's writing flows like a narrative. Morris's

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non-judgemental portrayal of personalities, which does not discriminate between his subjects' greater and lesser personality traits, coupled with the political intrigue of the era, makes for a fantastic true story.
Having not yet read either of Morris's other Theodore Roosevelt biographies, I cannot judge how this volume fits into the series, but it is more than capable of standing on its own. Morris's research is exhaustive, with 169 pages of notes following his narrative for those interested in following his research. Though a later biography of Roosevelt's presidency may appear, this will remain a monumental work and a go-to volume for historians of T.R.'s time in the highest elected office in the United States.

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A good portrait of an energetic President. For me, though, Morris didn't quite bring Roosevelt to life. The book is often at a high level, missing the personal details.

> Roosevelt ordered simplified spelling of some three hundred frequently used words. Such changes, he argued, were "but a very

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slight extension of the unconscious movement which has made agricultural implement makers and farmers write plow instead of plough … just as all people who speak English now write bat, set, dim, sum, and fish, instead of the Elizabethan batte, sette, dimme, summe, and fysshe."

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This was really well written. I'm coming to truly appreciate Roosevelt as a master politician and as someone who truly enjoyed life to the fullest. He was definitely a different breed of Republican than what we see today. (He initiated some of the first labor laws, set natural resources above

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profit and he was the first President to dine with a man of color in the White House. That last decision almost cost him his second term.)

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Teddy Roosevelt set the agenda for twentieth-century America. After assuming the presidency because of an assassination (McKinley), Roosevelt provided a successful progressive trajectory for the coming century. Because of him, America prospered and prospers still.

He impacted just about every major

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area with his touch. He helped start the area of land conservation. He introduced legislation to improve transportation by ending the railway trust. In foreign policy, he mediated negotiations to end the Russian-Japanese War and won a Nobel Peace Prize for it. He was called the greatest American president since Abraham Lincoln. Indeed, in terms of impact of twentieth-century presidents, he shares company with only Ronald Reagan and his cousin Frankline Roosevelt.

As a part of a biographical trilogy, Morris tells the tale of his presidency from when Roosevelt found out he was president (in a well-told and interesting introductory chapter) all the way to Roosevelt’s departure from the White House after handing the reigns to Taft. Roosevelt’s gregarious personality is difficult to capture because of its outsized strength; however, Morris seems equal to the task and often quotes TR to provide vivid and intimate access to the genius.

Are you interested in how America transitioned from a gilded age of nineteenth century sputtering to the bustling giant that it is today? You have to go through the masterful Teddy Roosevelt. Do you want to learn about him? If you do, you have to go through his masterful biographer Edmund Morris. Do you want to master his rise? Read the entire masterful trilogy.

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