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utahmomreads's review against another edition
5.0
After reading the fabulous and fascinating "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" by Morris last year, I was anxious to continue the journey. Roosevelt's life leading up to the presidency of the United States was in constant motion and excitement and the first volume of the biography reads the same way.
"Theodore Rex" deals only with the 7 1/2 years of Roosevelt's presidency. I became completely engrossed in the political atmosphere at the beginning of the Twentieth Century and Roosevelt's actions and reactions as the president. I found it especially interesting that many of the political issues of 2010 were issues in 1907 too. Politics doesn't really change very much.
As president, Roosevelt, who many feared would be a warmonger, negotiated peace between other countries and kept the U.S. out of war. He demonstrated to the international community a willingness to action if necessary which often resulted in peaceful settlements. He "built" the Panama Canal. He negotiated settlements during labor disputes; broke up trusts; called for conservation of natural resources (the first federal land grab which resulted in many of our best known and beloved National Parks); built a much stronger navy; and cleaned up and regulated the food industry. He also brought so much more power to the executive branch and beefed up the federal government. While I believe he believed that he was doing the best thing for the United States, I personally think he may have lacked the foresight to think about the consequences of such a strong post when he was no longer filling it.
Again, Morris delivers a readable and enjoyable tome of the amazing life of Theodore Roosevelt.
"Theodore Rex" deals only with the 7 1/2 years of Roosevelt's presidency. I became completely engrossed in the political atmosphere at the beginning of the Twentieth Century and Roosevelt's actions and reactions as the president. I found it especially interesting that many of the political issues of 2010 were issues in 1907 too. Politics doesn't really change very much.
As president, Roosevelt, who many feared would be a warmonger, negotiated peace between other countries and kept the U.S. out of war. He demonstrated to the international community a willingness to action if necessary which often resulted in peaceful settlements. He "built" the Panama Canal. He negotiated settlements during labor disputes; broke up trusts; called for conservation of natural resources (the first federal land grab which resulted in many of our best known and beloved National Parks); built a much stronger navy; and cleaned up and regulated the food industry. He also brought so much more power to the executive branch and beefed up the federal government. While I believe he believed that he was doing the best thing for the United States, I personally think he may have lacked the foresight to think about the consequences of such a strong post when he was no longer filling it.
Again, Morris delivers a readable and enjoyable tome of the amazing life of Theodore Roosevelt.
mogar_pogar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.25
noranne's review against another edition
3.0
I hovered between 3 and 4 stars on this one. It was good, but it was also pretty slow. And I found the way he glossed over certain events very disconcerting. I know for the sake of making a book he's not going to be able to include every thing, but there were a few times when a throwaway parenthetical or aside contained pretty pivotal information. Also found the focus on Alice Roosevelt to be a little weird. Just the tone of it. Authordude was really obsessed with her figure at a couple points.
Anyway, overall it was a very interesting look into a dynamic and historical Presidency. Also made me nostalgic for days when both the GOP and the Dems had seemingly logical and thought-out platforms. And not at all nostalgic for the days when people were racist little shits.
Anyway, overall it was a very interesting look into a dynamic and historical Presidency. Also made me nostalgic for days when both the GOP and the Dems had seemingly logical and thought-out platforms. And not at all nostalgic for the days when people were racist little shits.
kathlgpa's review against another edition
4.0
This was very in-depth. I don't think it is something casual readers would want but I am committed. I think I enjoyed the first book, [b:The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt|40929|The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt|Edmund Morris|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1586402749l/40929._SY75_.jpg|40514],more as it documented his life and career up to his presidency. I'm not sure why I didn't enjoy this one as much.
I did enjoy some of the parts of his presidency such as his conservation of natural resources. Of course I enjoyed reading about the Panama Canal and Russo-Japan war, but the almost war with Britain and Germany in the Atlantic was something I had never heard of. I also learned of the more upsetting Brownsville Affair.
In a few years when I have the mental endurance again I will read the third book about his post-presidency life.
But in general I think a one book more general biography would be more enjoyable. I'm looking forward to both [b:Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt|1970527|Lion in the White House A Life of Theodore Roosevelt|Aida D. Donald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1191088526l/1970527._SY75_.jpg|1973751] and [b:The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey|78508|The River of Doubt Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey|Candice Millard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430014768l/78508._SY75_.jpg|980007] to read at some point in the future.
I did enjoy some of the parts of his presidency such as his conservation of natural resources. Of course I enjoyed reading about the Panama Canal and Russo-Japan war, but the almost war with Britain and Germany in the Atlantic was something I had never heard of. I also learned of the more upsetting Brownsville Affair.
In a few years when I have the mental endurance again I will read the third book about his post-presidency life.
But in general I think a one book more general biography would be more enjoyable. I'm looking forward to both [b:Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt|1970527|Lion in the White House A Life of Theodore Roosevelt|Aida D. Donald|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1191088526l/1970527._SY75_.jpg|1973751] and [b:The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey|78508|The River of Doubt Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey|Candice Millard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430014768l/78508._SY75_.jpg|980007] to read at some point in the future.
titleswithtess's review against another edition
Possible I will return to this! Just very dense for my intended light reading purposes.
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
4.0
Theodore Roosevelt is officially my favorite President and Morris's biography was a thorough and engaging look into his Presidency.
spitzig's review against another edition
5.0
Great. Both the book and the man. Show Roosevelt as President.