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The Rough Riders
The Spanish-American War of 1898 was brief but decisive, marking the United States as a world power, Theodore Roosevelt as a national hero, and the Rough Riders as a legendary force in winning the independence of Cuba from Spain. This volunteer cavalry regiment was one of the most colorful ever assembled, with lawyers, cowboys and ranchers, actors and musicians, hunters an...more
Paperback, 316 pages
Published
November 1st 1998
by UNP - Nebraska Paperback
(first published 1899)
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This book was a very interesting and easy read. Former President Roosevelt tells a very vivid tale of his time during the Spanish-American War. It is easy for one to feel Roosevelt's genuineness while he takes us through the journey.
The book begins with the one-day President discussing the idea of war with Spain and the possibility of assembling a volunteer regiment. The language and way with which Roosevelt discusses war and it's supposed inevitability is indicative of the time at w...more
The book begins with the one-day President discussing the idea of war with Spain and the possibility of assembling a volunteer regiment. The language and way with which Roosevelt discusses war and it's supposed inevitability is indicative of the time at w...more
This book was written in a style that reminded me of a play by play sports announcer. Teddy chronicles how he helped prepare men and horses by training, assembling, and transporting for war. It contained profiles of many of the men with whom he served in Cuba in the war with the Spaniards. A recurring theme was the waste, ineptitude and bureaucratic red tape of government and military leadership in Washington.
Teddy reflected the racial opinion of his day when he said "the col...more
Teddy reflected the racial opinion of his day when he said "the col...more
64. Roosevelt, Theodore. ((1858-1919). THE ROUGH RIDERS. (1899). ****. This history of Roosevelt’s raising a volunteer regiment to fight in the Spanish-American War reads like a commentator’s coverage of a football game. It rates the four-star rating only because of its importance as an American document. It is quite obvious that Roosevelt approached this mission as he would have approached a yacht race. He managed to recruit over 1,000 men to form a fully volunteer force that was eager...more
I enjoyed this short book quite a bit. There were three things that really struck me.
First, Roosevelt's approach to war was extremely interesting. It was very much an adventure to him. Although there was absolutely no need for this war, he considered it a just cause, and he openly promoted it. The war was an opportunity for men to prove their mettle, and he was proud when his men did. So it was very much an adventure, something to be celebrated in his mind. But at the same time, he di...more
First, Roosevelt's approach to war was extremely interesting. It was very much an adventure to him. Although there was absolutely no need for this war, he considered it a just cause, and he openly promoted it. The war was an opportunity for men to prove their mettle, and he was proud when his men did. So it was very much an adventure, something to be celebrated in his mind. But at the same time, he di...more
Truly a diarist view of a very short war. Roosevelt describes in engaging detail the campaign against Spain in Cuba as he saw it. The book details the many issues with transportation to Cuba, while in Cuba, and in leaving Cuba. It also describes a leaders' worries about supplying food to his troops and ensuring the health of his troops after battle. Roosevelt also provides details of soldiers and officers wounded and killed in action, and this is what feels most like a diary. He also discusses t...more
This is a very detailed and descriptive account written by Theodore Roosevelt himself of the military campaign of the "Rough Riders", a volunteer force headed by Lieutenant Leonard Wood and Second Lieutenant Roosevelt who were pressed into military service during the war with Spain fought in Cuba. The nation had become outraged with the blowing up of the battleship Maine in a Cuban harbor. This brought great indignation to the American people and a cry for war to drive the Spanish fr...more
History as it was being made - told in a racey, contemporaneous style by one of the most interesting Americans of all time. Theodore Roosevelt, despite having already been chairman of the New York police borad and under secretary for the Navy, raised a volunteer regiment to help fight in the Spanish-American War. His cavalary troopers were christened the "Rough Riders" by the popular press and although Roosevelt initially hated the name it rapidly stuck. His re-telling of the raising ...more
This is a fantastic account of the details throughout the formation of the Rough Riders, their journey to Cuba, and of the ensuing fight. The details really are what makes this a valuable read, especially the accounts of how the Rough Riders assimilated with the "Regulars" and of the simple realities of fighting and dying in war, to include the hardships of surviving disease and drastic conditions. Although most of the substance of this book is rife with masculine talk of honor and b...more
Giving a vivid account of the author's participation in the Spanish-American war, this book so captivated the imagination of the American people that it got Teddy the Vice-Presidential nomination and set him on the path to Mount Rushmore. He tells this story well. Had a great gift for narrative - had a wonderful ability to create a sense of time and place. The reader feels as if he is with Teddy, experiencing these events himself - the descriptions are so vivid, the account so detailed, so "...more
Three things make this a significant work to read: First, it is adventure written from the pen of one of our most colorful former Presidents. Second, it covers a portion of a war (Spanish-American) that has significantly fewer entries than other wars. Third, it's short. The only thing that keeps me from fully embracing it is the shortcoming of Teddy R. as its narrator. With any first-person memoir, it will be biased, and you have to fully trust all of the author's information. Roosevelt se...more
Pretty good read. I was interested in the little "war" we fought w/Spain down in Cuba, so this book may be a 'niche book.' Roosevelt is a better writer than most writers banging about nowadays and claiming to be pros. The book has a nice, logical flow, and it was quite easy to read. I am ignorant about Roosevelt's life other than the major, noted achievements (Panama Canal, conservation, etc.), but one thing this book has done for me: it has instilled much respect for this man's use of...more
Without doubt, Teddy Roosevelt is one of the most loved and most controversial/complex Americans to serve as POTUS. TR was fully a romantic, and his enthusiasm of life and thirst for adventure explode off the page in his account of the Rough Rider regiment's exploits in the Spanish-American War.
TR, like many men of his day, hungered for the opportunity to try themselves in battle as their fathers did the Civil War. These desires coupled with the belief in the necessity of America...more
TR, like many men of his day, hungered for the opportunity to try themselves in battle as their fathers did the Civil War. These desires coupled with the belief in the necessity of America...more
I remember learning something in school about the Rough Riders and Teddy Roosevelt. But I couldn't tell much else.
This book is about the development of the voluntary group of cowboys, farmers, college men, mountain men, and military men that make up the Rough Riders. I had no idea this group of horse riders actually fought. I just remember seeing pictures of men on horses and never thought more of it as far as I can remember.
Anyway, this little book is about the American ...more
This book is about the development of the voluntary group of cowboys, farmers, college men, mountain men, and military men that make up the Rough Riders. I had no idea this group of horse riders actually fought. I just remember seeing pictures of men on horses and never thought more of it as far as I can remember.
Anyway, this little book is about the American ...more
Much of Roosevelt's narrative is involved with the the various elements of energy , character and willingness of the Rough Riders ..after a interesting description of the independent character of his volunteers. Descriptive battle scenes with bullets whizzing overhead and many deprivations from lack of almost everything to sustain life ( no food , clothing ,shelter , medicine..you name it) . Nonetheless an interesting account of the Spanish -American War as microcomed in Cuba
I didn't actually read this--just scanned through it and looked at the pictures. It looked interesting and maybe I'll actually read it one day, but I did enjoy the parts that I read. This is such a little-studied war, and we should remember it is the event that really brought the US onto the world stage. There were many conflicts, but we only seem to remember the Rought Riders.
Also, I was surprised the TR wrote so much. Just another one of his many accomplishments.
Also, I was surprised the TR wrote so much. Just another one of his many accomplishments.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know much about the Rough Riders beforehand, but now I feel like I do. I always have a hard time imagining battle scenes, so my favourite parts of the book were those about the training and the different men. Roosevelt truly loved those he served with. It added a depth of humanity to Roosevelt that I had never thought about before.
Nobody will ever accuse Teddy Roosevelt of being too humble; that's for sure. This is a really fascinating account of the Spanish-American War, and an obviously self-aggrandizing campaign document for Roosevelt. It's also an interesting snapshot of what happened to the cowboy after the closing of American frontier. (Hint: he found fertile hunting grounds abroad.)
This book was interesting because it showed how much Theodore Roosevelt (a well-to-do aristocrat) respected the determination and nationalistic pride that not only men of his social class had but the "common man" as well. He also described some of battles during the Spanish-American War so clearly it really was a crystalizing read.
Captivating first-hand account by Roosevelt. He tells how he organized a group of volunteer cowboys and indians to help liberate Cuba from Spain in 1898. Roosevelt was quite egotistical but also very proud of his fellow gallant soldiers. His historic charge up Kettle/San Juan hill was entertaining. He definitely glorifies war and the men's willingness to fight and die without complaint.
TR comes through more humble than I expected, more motivated to serve. He tells a stirring action tale and allows others to get credit. One can see the President who would shake up the Establishment and define the modern office.
Very interesting to read this book and about the experience 1st hand from Teddy Roosevelt. Not as big of a braggart as I was expecting and spent most of the book extolling the men he served with.
Historical novel set in the Spanish American war. Details the story of Roosevelt's Rough Riders 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry unit.
Michael Taylor
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Shelves:
theodore-roosevelt,
spanish-american-war
An interesting book which reads much like a diary. If you are expecting an analytical book of the invasion of Cuba, you need to go somewhere else. TR has an engaging writing style, but he does like to put the best face on everything.
Very interesting from a historical perspective. Gave it 3 stars because it reads a bit like a military report so it can be a little bit slow moving at times.
Roosevelt was the finest officer of the Spanish War. He said so himself.
Teddy was the man.
I know it was the style at the time, but Teddy wrote a book where everyone was great and brave and America is perfect and ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz.
Teddy was a great man but a boring writer. Only gave it 2 stars because not too many writers have accomplished what he did and not too many Asst. Secretary of the Navy's would quit their job to become a "Volunteer" Colonel in a war.
Teddy was a great man but a boring writer. Only gave it 2 stars because not too many writers have accomplished what he did and not too many Asst. Secretary of the Navy's would quit their job to become a "Volunteer" Colonel in a war.
Teddy's own take on his part in the Spanish-American War. Not a lot of vainglory here; a quite honest, realistic, sometimes humorous account of the group and its experiences. A nice surprise for anyone who hasn't read anything written by T.R.; his somewhat naive yet very winning patriotism and enthusiasm shine through this book.
It's not that often that we get an insight into a future leader of America. Teddy is way too excited about the glories of battle, but our future president shares his standards, a model for John ?Wayne movies. An interesting aside is that the Rough Riders were integrated by late 19th cent standards - they included American Indians.
I asked Ike to read this so I can talk to him about the reality of soldiers' attitudes. TR made it sound like that these RR didn't complain about the heat, lack of food, lack of supplies, poor planning, or anything. Just a great group of guys who went to Cuba did some killing and came home happy.
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Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), also known as T.R., and to the public (but never to friends and intimates) as Teddy, was the twenty-sixth President of the United States, and a leader of the Republican Party and of the Progressive Movement. He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York...more
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“It was a pleasure to deal with a man of high ideals, who scorned everything mean and base, and who possessed those robust and hardy qualities of body and mind, for the lack of which no merely negative virtue can ever atone.”
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“Then there was Micah Jenkins, the Captain of Troop K, a gentle and courteous South Carolinian, on whom danger acted like wine. In action he was a perfect gamecock.”
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