Theodore Rex

This is the second in a three part biography of TR. I devoured Volume 1 and ordered this before I finished so I wouldn't have to stop. I have already purchased volume 3 even though I am only a couple hundred pages into volume 2. Wonderful research, superb writing. I am learning a lot about the history of my country within the context of a story about an amazing, brilliant energetic man. A man of his time, a man for the ages. We owe him a debt of gratitude.

Unlike other presidents, I decided to read a multi-volume biography of Theodore Roosevelt because he seemed like one of America's most interesting presidents. I can now say confidently that he is THE most interesting president America has ever had. Sui generis (unique). "Theodore Rex" is every bit as good as "The Rise of T.R." (see my review here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2WQYWY7GWKD67?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp). The chief difference is that "The Rise" covers a much more exciting period of Teddy's life. In "Theodore Rex," Morris rediscovers the Roosevelt family, who largely went missing in the last third of his first volume. After disappearing as a toddler in "The Rise," Alice reappears as a 17-year-old ready to become the most interesting first daughter America has ever had. Making an appearance for the first time are T.R.'s right-hand men, William Loeb (who we learn had already been serving Teddy for three years) and later Archibald Butt.The 22 years between Morris's volumes did not lessen his penchant for using obscure words (my favorite- "macrocephalic"), Latin, (Morris's favorite- "de ipse") and foreign words (M's favorite- du roi). The one that bothered me the most was "Nipponese." I have read countless books on Japan, but I have never seen that word used to refer to Japanese. Nevertheless, dictionary dives are a small price to pay for such beautiful prose. Morris has few equals when it comes to painting a scene. The footnotes are just as copious, but less crucial than the previous volume. Sadly, they have been reformatted in such a way as to make it more difficult to link them to the text referred to.I have not made plans to read Morris's final volume ("Colonel Roosevelt"). After finishing my basic survey of America's most important presidents, I plan to read "River of Doubt" and then "Alice."

This second book in the series by Edmund Morris on the life of Theodore Roosevelt focuses on his two terms as President of the United States. Roosevelt did not actually serve two terms as President, at least not as we recon it today. His first term was in his ascension to the Presidency when William McKinley was assassinated only six months into his second term. TR thus was elected in his own right as President to only one term. Recognizing the custom that a President only serve two terms in office, (the 22nd amendment limited the President to two terms had not been enacted yet) TR vowed upon his election to President in his own right that he would not seek a second term. The fact that he remained true to his word even though he was extremely popular and could have been reelected easily to a second term is an indicator of the character of Theodore Roosevelt.Roosevelt was a political paradox. As a Republican he favored a strong national defense and was responsible for modernizing and increasing the size of the United States Navy. He also strongly favored capitalism and was against any hints of socialism in any form, yet he was pivotal in ushering out the era of laissez-faire economics and fought for stronger government regulation of business through the new Interstate Commerce Act, of which he was a major driving force. In direct opposition to Republican doctrine both of his era and today, he favored a much stronger centralized government.Above all, Roosevelt was both a man of strong character and moral values, and he was a man of action.

In depth history of Teddy Roosevelt's presidency. I learned much about him, and the reasons for what he did. The sportsman and love of the outdoors comes through very strong, which explains why he established so many national parks. He was also unbiased in race relations, being the first person to invite a black man (Booker T. Washington) to dinner at the White House. He also imposed his will on a southern town that forced out their black postmaster. Roosevelt closed the town's post office "until a new postmaster could be found" and forced the townspeople to go 30 miles for their mail. Not surpisingly, they relented.TR also got into a fist fight on his way to Washington DC after McKinley's assassination. Could you imagine that happening today?

I am not a fan of biographies at all, but I bought this first of three books on the recommendation of a friend whom I trust implicitly. I was not disappointed. In fact, I was quite surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book and before I was even halfway through this first book, I bought the other two books that make up this trilogy of a biography. These books are the best, across all literary categories, I have read in years.

Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris is a very good book detailing the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. It is a well-written, informative and detailed work outlining the effect that Roosevelt had upon both the office of the President and the United States.Theodore Roosevelt was a politican of firm views. A supporter of the market system, who nevertheless saw its flaws and inequities, he worked to reform a system which seemed stacked in the favour of cartels and monopolies. A Republican who was not afraid to challenge his own party on a variety of issues - although this ultimately caused problems and storred up resentments for the future - and was willing to use his undoubted popularity to appeal to the wider electorate in order to bring about change. A conservationist and a global statesman whose actions and measures preserved millions of acres of wilderness, but who was also one of the driving forces behind that great monument to industrial progress, the Panama Canal.Overall, an excellent book examining the extraordinary presidency of a remarkable man.

Edmund Morris writes an excellent book on Theodore Roosevelt's presidency. He comes across as probably the best U.S. President.being probably more Democrat than Republican in his ideas and used Congress to get those ideas passed as well as using executive powers to by-pass Congress when necessary. He was not anti-business, just against businesses using their power unfairly, and he was not pro-labour per se, just wanted labour to be treated fairly. He set the U.S.A. on course to become the world power that it now is.A book is well worth reading, giving and insight to Roosevelt's opinion of Germany and Japan that were becoming aggressive and an interesting episode is the tactics used to put a stop to illegal Japanese immigration.

The definitive biography of Theodore Roosevelt. Lyrical, detailed, engaging. But also insightful and accurate. Well written.

Charts TDR's presidential years. Detailed, yet compelling read, look at President Roosevelt, the highs and the lows. Yet I doubt we will see the like of him again. Excellent history and essential reading.

a really eloquent and all encompassing humorous biography of America’s most solar president and his weltanschauung of strength