The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Modern Library Paperbacks)
by Edmund Morrispublished
November 2001
by Modern Library
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binding
Paperback, 920 pages
literary awards
Pulitzer Prize for Biography/AutoBiography (1980)
isbn
0375756787
(isbn13: 9780375756788)
description
Described by the Chicago Tribune as "a classic," The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt stands as one of the greatest biographies of o...more
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Read in January, 2007
Teddy Roosevelt ranks among the most colorful characters in American history. We all have heard of the charge of Roosevelt's Raiders up San Juan Hill. But who knows that Teddy once captured a horse thief? Who knows that Roosevelt was a prolific writer, and somewhat of an expert scientist? Teddy ranks alongside characters such as Alexander the Great, George Armstong Custer and Kit Carson as people one wonders, "How did they do so much in a single life?"
Edmund Morris is one of ...more
Edmund Morris is one of ...more
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Read in January, 2004
I'm a fiction reader, mostly; this was one of the efforts I made at reading some non-fiction after hearing Edmund Morris in an interview on a talk radio station. He was immensely impressive--so well spoken, so literate, so knowledgeable about, it seemed, nearly everything.
The book was as good as I had hoped, full of wonderful detail of Theodore Roosevelt's personal life. This first of (3?) books by Morris on Roosevelt was on his formative years--the love of his parents, the love of his fami...more
The book was as good as I had hoped, full of wonderful detail of Theodore Roosevelt's personal life. This first of (3?) books by Morris on Roosevelt was on his formative years--the love of his parents, the love of his fami...more
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Read in January, 2007
It is hard to believe this is not fiction. Roosevelt led an amazing childhood and early life, one that is not to be believed.
Aided by Morris' lively writing, this book follows TR from birth until just before he becomes President. It is not only a great picture of the precocious, intellectual, and multi-talented Roosevelt, but a good look at what America was like in the late 1800s and delves into alot of history that gets glossed over in school.
While this is the first book of a planned ...more
Aided by Morris' lively writing, this book follows TR from birth until just before he becomes President. It is not only a great picture of the precocious, intellectual, and multi-talented Roosevelt, but a good look at what America was like in the late 1800s and delves into alot of history that gets glossed over in school.
While this is the first book of a planned ...more
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This book has been on my to-read list for a very long time, largely because it has so many pages and the content is incredibly dense. I finally buckled down and read it; I am immensely glad that I did. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt is a masterpiece of a biography that - though long - is never tedious. Even as larger-than-life as Roosevelt is, Morris manages to express these characteristics while maintaining Roosevelt’s humanity. I liked Roosevelt before I read this book, and now I ...more
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Read in January, 2006
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt is an outstanding biography written about one of America’s most unique personalities. As the name suggests, this is written about TR’s early life and the experiences that shaped the man.
As a child, Theodore Roosevelt overcame early physical aliments to become a man who had incredible stamina and a strong constitution.
And throughout the rest of the book, Morris portrays a man largely unaffected by his wealth who developed a voracious appetite for re...more
As a child, Theodore Roosevelt overcame early physical aliments to become a man who had incredible stamina and a strong constitution.
And throughout the rest of the book, Morris portrays a man largely unaffected by his wealth who developed a voracious appetite for re...more
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I always like the "rise of" biographies because that's where I feel I am in my life. I had always turned up my nose at Teddy Roosevelt but after reading this I really admire him as a great man who made the most of his life. He coped with horrible tragedy (wife and mother died within 24 hours of each other). I don't particularly agree with his politics (he didn't like Jefferson, and leaned toward the progressive/liberal side of the spectrum) but I still am grateful that he became our pr...more
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Read in June, 2008
An incredible book about an incredible dude. Teddy has vaulted to the top of my favorite presidents list. More about the book? Its been in print for 30 or so years, and still sells well.
Having just finished this book, my curiosity is piqued to see how mature 40 year old Theodore orchestrates the office of the presidency having earned the infamous title of "madman" from a contemporary.
Having just finished this book, my curiosity is piqued to see how mature 40 year old Theodore orchestrates the office of the presidency having earned the infamous title of "madman" from a contemporary.
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
politically inspired and the energetically slothful
Dee-Lighted!
What an amazing person TR was. I keep thinking maybe he was just born at the right time and that is how he makes himself look so good all the time, but maybe that personality could do it today. This book covers his birth up to his vice-presidency. An amazing and very readable account which I would recommend to any couch potato seeking inspiration.
What an amazing person TR was. I keep thinking maybe he was just born at the right time and that is how he makes himself look so good all the time, but maybe that personality could do it today. This book covers his birth up to his vice-presidency. An amazing and very readable account which I would recommend to any couch potato seeking inspiration.
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Read in October, 2008
I already reviewed this one but through a complicated set of circumstances seem to have done so on Cindy's account. Still not sure how that happened... but here is was:
Technically I'm still in the midst of this 800-pager, but it's going to have to go incredibly wrong to unstar itself. Good history is only good history if it's well told, and this is that.
Just shared the role of Teddy with 3 other people in a play. Idon't see any other way it could be done - not schizophrenia, just leve...more
Technically I'm still in the midst of this 800-pager, but it's going to have to go incredibly wrong to unstar itself. Good history is only good history if it's well told, and this is that.
Just shared the role of Teddy with 3 other people in a play. Idon't see any other way it could be done - not schizophrenia, just leve...more
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Read in October, 2008
Theodore Roosevelt was a man to measure all men against, but better than that...he was a great leader who took this country to new heights, even before he became president. This exhaustively researched tome is an account of the first 43 years of his life.
As with any biography, it has the danger of becoming dry and boring, but Morris never lets that happen. My only complaint is that periodically the narrative was hindered by Morris's reviews of Roosevelt's books that he wrote (he wrote a lot...more
As with any biography, it has the danger of becoming dry and boring, but Morris never lets that happen. My only complaint is that periodically the narrative was hindered by Morris's reviews of Roosevelt's books that he wrote (he wrote a lot...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in September, 2002
Wow, I had no idea he accomplished so much, and yet when he was young, he was sickly and not thought to have much promise. Definetly he pushed himself and just goes to show what perserverance can get you! This book is from his birth to the beginning of his presidency.
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Read in October, 2008
Technically I'm still in the midst of this 800-pager, but it's going to have to go incredibly wrong to unstar itself. Good history is only good history if it's well told, and this is that.
Just shared the role of Teddy with 3 other people in a play. Idon't see any other way it could be done - not schizophrenia, just level of activity.
(I don't like to go partisan in a book review, but while I fully understand Sen. McCain's hero worship of TR, you sir, to paraphrase a line from another ...more
Just shared the role of Teddy with 3 other people in a play. Idon't see any other way it could be done - not schizophrenia, just level of activity.
(I don't like to go partisan in a book review, but while I fully understand Sen. McCain's hero worship of TR, you sir, to paraphrase a line from another ...more
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This is the book I recommend most often to people who say they don't read. Biography at its very best, it reads like fiction, and at a fast clip. That it is all true is probably what earned it a Pulitzer. The author is not in love with his subject, and sometimes has to look sideways at him to understand what happened with this remarkable life. Reading this book helped me define a quality common with many great leaders, including TR, MacArthur, George Patton...they all looked up to their fath...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
DW Lambert
Ahhh, TR was THE MAN! This book rocks, I couldn't put it down. This guy either had the most serious case of little man syndrome ever or was just born with supernatural skills (energy, memory, self-confidence). Precocious does not begin to describe him. Little TR kept a large museum of natural history with specimens he collected from around New York (as like an 8 year old), despite being a sickly kid with asthma he turned himself into a pugilist who gleefully jumped in the ring with the badde...more
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Read in November, 2008
I'm so glad I picked this up in the weeks leading up to the election. It was particularly interesting because the Republicans had talked about TR quite a bit at their convention. The funny thing is, TR is just about as different from George W. Bush and today's Republican Party as you could get.
Morris tells the completely engrossing story of Theodore Roosevelt's youth and early political career, all the way up to his short vice presidency. TR led a fascinating life and the way Morris write...more
Morris tells the completely engrossing story of Theodore Roosevelt's youth and early political career, all the way up to his short vice presidency. TR led a fascinating life and the way Morris write...more
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Masterful. This thing reads like a novel, with real-life events that rival the best fiction. T.R. has to be one of the most fascinating characters of the 19th century (you'll notice that I didn't include him in the 20th for this book-it ends just as he is being notified of McKinley's assassination and his ascendency to the Presidency in 1901). Larger than life, T.R. (don't you dare him "Teddy"!), rises above a birth of privilege, with Edmund Morris firmly in control of the narrative al...more
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This is the best Bio I've ever read. Actually laugh out loud funny all the way through! Miller's writing is second only to his understanding of Teddy - This first volume takes us to McKinley's assasination. The second volume doesn't hold the same excitement as the first, but is still a must read.
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This book took me FOREVER to read!!! I haven't taken so long to read a book in I don't know how long. Sheesh. Having said that, it was decent. I found the most interesting parts about his childhood and his time in the wild west, as opposed to the various political parts of his career - what meetings he chaired, or who he ousted as police commissioner of NYC or his time as mayor...but if you like those details and stories, this book is full of them.
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Read in July, 2008
As I read this, which only covers Roosevelt's life through his early 40s, I wonder if any of our current national leaders have read it and are ashamed by their lack of vision, drive and courage. Yes, he was pretty much an ego maniac, but what an amazingly brilliant person--an accomplished writer, a visionary, someone who stood up against corruption against his own political party. He walked his talk. The most amazing part was that as assistant secretary of the navy, having just built up the navy...more
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Read in October, 2008
An excellent read... this volume covers birth to his ascension to the presidency. He overcame childhood weakness and illnesses through pure determination and hard work. Fought for Civil Service reform in the New York Assembly, became a rancher in the Dakota Badlands, fought corruption as a New York City Police Commissioner, prepared the country for war as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, led the Rough Riders in Cuba in the Spanish-American war, became Governor of New York, and was successf...more
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