Theodore Roosevelt

by William Roscoe Thayer

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Genres: Biography, History, Presidents

528 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1919

About the author

William Roscoe Thayer (1859–1923) was an American author and editor who wrote about Italian history.

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passionate Biography of a Passionate Man

Thayer was an historian and personal friend of Roosevelt and makes no apology for his ‘Intimate Biography’. This biography may not be as objective and thorough as a complete biography from a more distant perspective might, but it is loaded with praise of a great man and great American.
Most interesting to me was the fact that this biographer was contemporary with the subject and brings his own personal insight, and obvious bias to the story. The writing is erudite and compelling, the references learnèd. His pointed criticism of Woodrow Wilson’s dithering is scathing, you want to spit; fully vindicates Barbara Tuchman’s assessment.
I’ve long been been an admirer of Theodore Roosevelt – often make reference to his ‘man in the arena’ speech he made in 1910 at the Sorbonne – but knew little of his history and why his bust is one of the Mount Rushmore Four. This biography gives something of the reasons why.
Now onto Edmund Morris Trilogy.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book. I love to read about the stories of the early adventures in the jungles, and the adventures of early exploration provides a good overview of how much harsher life was back then and about the many tragic events that occurred during Theo’s many adventures.

Not a lot of autobiographies provides such a realistic and honest overview of one’s life. It’s obvious that Theodore was a man of many complexities and experiences. I would definitely read another book about him.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This version of Theodore Roosevelt's biography is very good for a quick summary of his life. The only reason one star was removed is that because there's much that isn't included and is lacking important details. If there's anyone who is interested in a quick summary of TRs life, I would recommend this book. Alternatively, Roosevelt's autobiography would also be a recommendation.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Marks!

I don't give 5 stars on principle, unless an exceptional author drags them out of me with compelling skill. WRT was an author of similar calibre in his field to the statesman he has thus eulogised.

[DONA LEE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of an outstanding leader

Although the wording was hard to follow at times, the story of Teddy Roosevelt is amazing and inspiring. I often thought his life and times were surprisingly similar to our present day.

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

Some things like San Juan Hill were glossed over but a fair amount of new information than I did not know. The personal insights and one on one accounts were insightful to know the real man. And Thayer was a contemporary.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography of our last great Republican president.

[Caroline B · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is ideal if you know very little about Roosevelt, and would prefer to wade through irrelevant opinions instead of actually learning about the man

[Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thayer does the great man justice in his elegantly written biography. Roosevelt is described with such passion, which no doubt he inspired in many, and eloquence that you feel personally affected by his story and death. Thankfully he does not go into too much detail of the politics; instead neatly summarises them, and leads with enlightening and exciting stories. The missing star is my greedy response to wanting even more of these tales! This book is sure to influence you to try and be more honest, industrious, and idealistic like 'The Great American' did to many in his day.

[Jeffrey David Hoeper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but somewhat biased

Thayer does not try to hide that he was a close friend of Roosevelt (though they apparently did have some political differences). Thus, this book presents Roosevelt as a gigantic, Promethean figure in American life and letters. Don't read it for a balanced view of the man. Read it for its passionate intensity and advocacy. The final chapters on Roosevelt's post-presidency are especially compelling.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this especially in contrast to two newly published book reviews where he's called a "war loving martinet". I think if it weren't for T Roosevelt, we'd all be speaking German today.