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Teddy Roosevelt: American Rough Rider
Before Teddy Roosevelt earned his reputation as a strong, masculine hunter, explorer, and Rough Rider, he actually endured a sickly childhood. That’s just one aspect of his life covered in this handsomely illustrated biography, which follows his transformation into a disciplined athlete and one of the world’s best-known public servants and politicians. Renowned author John Garraty uses quotes from Roosevelt throughout, giving readers direct contact with the man’s colorful personality. In addition, Garraty masterfully eliminates confusing details, while emphasizing the significance of Roosevelt’s actions as he deals with opposing faction. He emerges as the first modern President and a great statesman.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
John A. Garraty
150 books7 followersJohn Arthur Garraty was an American historian and biographer. He specialized largely in American political and economic history.
Garraty earned an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College in 1941 and completed his doctorate at Columbia University in 1948. During World War II, he served in the United States Merchant Marines as a swimming instructor. He taught at Michigan State University for 12 years before joining the Columbia University History Department in 1959. Garraty also served as the president of the Society of American Historians. He retired from teaching at Columbia in 1990.
An author of many textbooks, Garraty's works include the college and high school history textbook The American Nation, later editions of which were co-written with Mark C. Carnes. Among Garraty's other works were many biographies, and Garraty was one of the general editors of the American National Biography, a project which he completed in his retirement.
Garraty earned an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College in 1941 and completed his doctorate at Columbia University in 1948. During World War II, he served in the United States Merchant Marines as a swimming instructor. He taught at Michigan State University for 12 years before joining the Columbia University History Department in 1959. Garraty also served as the president of the Society of American Historians. He retired from teaching at Columbia in 1990.
An author of many textbooks, Garraty's works include the college and high school history textbook The American Nation, later editions of which were co-written with Mark C. Carnes. Among Garraty's other works were many biographies, and Garraty was one of the general editors of the American National Biography, a project which he completed in his retirement.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 5, 2017
"Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind."
Give me anything Teddy Roosevelt and I am there.
Silver spoons may open the door to prosperity, but in Teddy's case, it was more likely filled with some kind of elixir to impart strength with the hope of a therapeutic effect. Born into a wealthy Manhattan family in 1858, Teddy suffered with debilitating bouts of asthma that robbed him of a healthy childhood. His father chose not to coddle the ailing Teddy but to build up a solid resistance through relentless exercise. "You must make your body." And so Teddy did. Boxing seemed to add a tough crust to the already crusty Teddy.
Intense stamina, developed from an early age, served Teddy well into his adult life. He fought crime and corruption as police chief in New York City and became a highly visual leader of the reform element making vast changes in the slums of Albany. But nothing compares to the personal battles that find their way to one's front door. Both his wife and his mother died on the very same day in 1884 after Alice Lee had just given birth to their daughter, Alice.
Grief turned to the dusty roads of the West and it found Teddy in a log cabin on Chimney Butte Ranch near Medora, North Dakota. The Dakota Badlands toughened Teddy even more. When a loud-mouthed fool called him "Four Eyes", Teddy picked himself up from his chair and knocked the fool out cold and gained the respect of the ranching community. One thing was for sure, Teddy never wanted to be labeled a fool nor a coward.
Teddy married Edith Kermit Carow in December of 1886 and went on to have six children. Edith seemed to have a great understanding of the fiesty Teddy. In 1898 Teddy went to San Antonio to recruit soldiers for the Rough Riders in fighting Spain over Cuban independence. You can close your eyes and see Teddy in uniform galloping up San Juan Hill.
Politics called once again to Teddy as he became Vice President under McKinley. McKinley's neutral stance compelled Teddy to describe McKinley as "no more backbone than a chocolate eclair." But all that would change after McKinley's assassination and Teddy becomes President.
John Garraty presents a well-written overview of Teddy's life within these 178 pages. It's a short, swift adventure into the highlights of a remarkable man who turned the corner into a modern presidency. Controversial in nature and success, Teddy did leave quite a mark.
Give me anything Teddy Roosevelt and I am there.
Silver spoons may open the door to prosperity, but in Teddy's case, it was more likely filled with some kind of elixir to impart strength with the hope of a therapeutic effect. Born into a wealthy Manhattan family in 1858, Teddy suffered with debilitating bouts of asthma that robbed him of a healthy childhood. His father chose not to coddle the ailing Teddy but to build up a solid resistance through relentless exercise. "You must make your body." And so Teddy did. Boxing seemed to add a tough crust to the already crusty Teddy.
Intense stamina, developed from an early age, served Teddy well into his adult life. He fought crime and corruption as police chief in New York City and became a highly visual leader of the reform element making vast changes in the slums of Albany. But nothing compares to the personal battles that find their way to one's front door. Both his wife and his mother died on the very same day in 1884 after Alice Lee had just given birth to their daughter, Alice.
Grief turned to the dusty roads of the West and it found Teddy in a log cabin on Chimney Butte Ranch near Medora, North Dakota. The Dakota Badlands toughened Teddy even more. When a loud-mouthed fool called him "Four Eyes", Teddy picked himself up from his chair and knocked the fool out cold and gained the respect of the ranching community. One thing was for sure, Teddy never wanted to be labeled a fool nor a coward.
Teddy married Edith Kermit Carow in December of 1886 and went on to have six children. Edith seemed to have a great understanding of the fiesty Teddy. In 1898 Teddy went to San Antonio to recruit soldiers for the Rough Riders in fighting Spain over Cuban independence. You can close your eyes and see Teddy in uniform galloping up San Juan Hill.
Politics called once again to Teddy as he became Vice President under McKinley. McKinley's neutral stance compelled Teddy to describe McKinley as "no more backbone than a chocolate eclair." But all that would change after McKinley's assassination and Teddy becomes President.
John Garraty presents a well-written overview of Teddy's life within these 178 pages. It's a short, swift adventure into the highlights of a remarkable man who turned the corner into a modern presidency. Controversial in nature and success, Teddy did leave quite a mark.
February 10, 2020
Hardly a biographical work, nonetheless it is an interesting refresher course for those who have read a number of biographical works about Teddy. It is more like what one would expect to read in a history book about the early 20th Century.
May 29, 2013
John Garraty's biography "Teddy Roosevelt: American Rough Rider" is a quick summary biography of America's 26th President. Garraty highlights the life of TR from his days in the Dakotas through the end of his life & the battles he fought for both personally, on the battlefield & politically as well. The book itself is relatively short & an easy read & while not necessarily being for an audience looking for an in-depth look at Roosevelt's life, it does do a decent job highlighting the life of this dynamic & sometimes larger than life figure in US History.
October 22, 2016
I was able to connect with President Teddy Roosevelt through the tale of his sickly youth to his viral and active adulthood. Teddy Roosevelt embodied the American bravado and spirit that this country needed in the early 20th century. He is a fascinating man and this book brings forth his persona and life. I treasure this book and hope my son will readit one day.
November 11, 2014
This was a student recommendation... which is the only reason I'm reading it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews