The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt (2001) - Plot & Excerpts
TED OF ALL TRADES, MASTER OF ALLEdmund Morris ought to consider this new title for his next revised edition of this jam-packed book, so full of information and anecdotes that the reader would surely agree to the change a short time into the literary adventure. As thorough as the beginning of this biography might be, its ease of reading entices many who might otherwise shy away from so long a tome.As I seek to expand my knowledge of some key historical figures, I chose to tackle the three volume Morris biography of Theodore Roosevelt. I sought not only to learn from what Morris garnered in his extensive research, but also to examine some of the key themes on offer, drawing threads throughout to see how Roosevelt's life developed and the way in which it was captured. Morris takes the reader through a thorough examination of the man from many facets, allowing those who digest the tales to attain a multi-dimensional picture of the man known to many a Teddy. Through his presentation of a few themes--the ongoing thirst for knowledge, dedication to family, and a passion for politics--Morris depicts Roosevelt as both a man of many complexities and one who is closely tied to those around him, and succeeds in selling this idea to the author in this first tome.The first Volume, reviewed here, encompasses the life of Theodore Roosevelt from his birth in 1858 through to 1901. Morris lays the groundwork of the first theme, thirst for knowledge, early and often, by depicting young Teddy as an avid reader and naturalist whose young life was shaped by parents able to offer him many extravagances due to their wealth, including European vacations and tutored study. Young Roosevelt quenched this thirst by examining much around him and writing his own versions of tomes and reports, some of which he presented to family members while others he kept for himself. As he grew older and left home for Harvard, Roosevelt continued to dedicate himself to his studies, but also opened his mind to social clubs and the interaction with many of those around him, learning both from books and the lives of his acquaintances. His continual interest in new and exciting things led him to invest in cattle herds in the Wild West and piqued his interest enough to run for (and win a seat in) the New York State Assembly. There, Roosevelt's social demeanour opened new doors as he sought to expand his knowledge and permitted his climb to positions of power swiftly and with ease. With the partisan nature of politics and the Ward bosses always confounded him, Roosevelt used what he knew and his ever-present desire to tackle new challenges to wrestle with the political beast from a young age. He was, as Morris explores in one poignant chapter, the youngest candidate for Mayor of New York at the time and had no qualms running in this election against well-founded opponents. Morris also explores a dedication to family, which stemmed from Roosevelt's early years. A sickly child, weighed down with asthma and other ailments, the young Roosevelt remained bedridden for a time. This sedentary life surely stoked the fires of the aforementioned knowledge seeking, but also helped Teddy develop a strong foundational interest in family. As a young man, when he met and married young Alice Lee, Roosevelt dedicated himself to his bride and sought to keep her abreast of his activities. As with many politicians (even today), the need for a dutiful wife who allows a husband to also delve into the political world forced Lee to accept Teddy's busy life. Teddy's life took on a new direction when Alice announced she was with child, forcing the young Roosevelt to prepare for the busy life of fatherhood. When, two days after the birth of his daughter, Roosevelt suffered the double inequity of Alice's death as well as that of his mother, Roosevelt entered a slump that no past familial foundation could cure. Morris explores how Roosevelt dedicated himself to new adventures, perhaps to bury the pain, in hopes of finding himself anew. An old flame, Edith Carow, returned to his life and soon they rekindle the love they shared, helping to pull Roosevelt from his slump. Married for a second time, Roosevelt soon becomes a father numerous times over and this rejuvenation helps him become the family man he strove to become, matching Theodore Roosevelt Senior (eventually 'the first' after Edith gives birth to a son). While the focus shifts away from family, Morris returns to the topic on occasion, perhaps to assure the reader that Roosevelt is not alone on this adventure, even if his family was not central in the numerous narrated activities.As with many, the allure of politics was too strong for Roosevelt to ignore. Seeing its manifestation at an early age, Roosevelt watched his father negotiate through some of New York City's power brokers and how the game was played, its rule constantly changing. Winning office at a young age, Roosevelt sought to effect change of his own with his quick wit and attention to detail. While not always successful in his political ventures, he made a name for himself and did persuade many to follow his lead. Morris explains that Roosevelt stepped out of his father's shadow and forged new ground, all in an attempt to make a name for himself and better represent those within the GOP with strong ideas and reformist ways. His desire to look for new ways to tackle old issues helped develop his reform ideological stance, which was not always embraced openly by New Yorkers, voters and politicians alike. Yet, as Morris explores, these views never stopped gaining momentum and Roosevelt soon became a man to watch and a king maker in key state and national campaigns. As head of the Civil Service Commission under President Harrison, Roosevelt cut his teeth on the numerous issues of patronage riddling the federal bureaucracy. Butting heads with many in positions of power, Roosevelt forges ahead with his reform ideas and, oddly enough, is able to outlast the wave away from Harrison's obliteration after one term in office and stays on to serve Grover Cleveland, a quasi-ally from his time as an assemblyman. Taking his reform ideas to a position on the NYPD, Roosevelt becomes a feared man by beat cops and locals alike. When President McKinley calls for his return to the upper echelon of the federal bureaucracy, Roosevelt relishes the chance, offered Assistant Secretary of the Navy. There, he helps formulate key policy on ridding Spain of its imperial gems (namely Cuba and the Philippines), while flexing the muscle of the American military. Morris posits all this helped the United States draw a line in the sand and exemplify its interest in playing a role as a hegemonic power. All this in an effort for Morris to depict Roosevelt as a political animal, building a stronger foundation as the path to the White House becomes a little clearer. The final chapter of the volume focuses on this struggle to give up the reins of power in Albany and consider playing McKinley's running-mate in the 1900 election. Great storytelling by Morris depicts the frantic struggle of the Party, the potential candidate, and the delegates at the Convention. When Roosevelt agrees and eventually becomes VP, his rise to power, though deemed neutered, is only beginning.Of note, it is highly amusing to see what might have been the first example of the United States backing a group who would eventually go on to seek its annihilation. Cuba, freed from Spanish control, would one day rise up and seek to push the United States out of its life, under the well-known dictator, Fidel Castro. One need only say bin Laden and Hussein to draw the other two parallels, both of which entangled the US Military in useless wars. Alas, two ranchers at the foundation... need I say more?In this opening volume, one cannot offer enough kudos to Mr. Morris for his excellent work. I am eager to see where this is going and what lies in store for the reader and those figures who play a key role in Theodore Roosevelt's life.
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt is the first volume of a trilogy by Edmund Morris that comprises the biography of United States President Theodore Roosevelt. The remaining volumes, Theodore Rex and Colonel Roosevelt were completed over the following thirty years. It was a massive undertaking, but based on my reading of the first volume it was well worth the time spent.Morris covers the time from Roosevelt's birth through his ascendancy to the Presidency in the Rise. It includes the Roosevelt family history starting with his parents influence, his turbulent childhood illnesses, education, involvement in politics and accomplishments in politics that prepared him to be one of the most influential presidents of the modern era. Specific topics include the philosophy of Theodore's father, mother, and his family. His passion for learning despite severe illness is well documented. Most important was his relentless development of both his mind and his body. He reportedly read the equivalent of one book per day and his many sojourns in the western "Badlands" were a testament to his physical strength.Morris examines his life as a young politician driven by a sense of public duty and stewardship, and captures multiple aspects of the events that shaped his character and public persona. His oratorical ability was amazing and the charisma that he developed through his relentless pursuit of his goals was demonstrated again and again. Morris touches upon events from early childhood, education and hobbies, travels in Europe and Africa, New York legislature, frontier life, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the Rough Riders and victory in Cuba, and his time as Governor of New York. The detail of his development as a reformer from days on the Civil Service Commission and as Police Commissioner in New York City through to his term as Governor of New York sets the stage for what will become a continuing theme as he moves onto the national stage. His campaign skills, both in support of McKinley's first term and during his Vice Presidential campaign were tremendous.Overall this is one of the most impressive Presidential biographies that I have read. It truly deserved the award of both the Pulitzer Prize and the 1980 National Book Award in Biography.
What do You think about The Rise Of Theodore Roosevelt (2001)?
I'd always known Teddy Roosevelt was kind of like Davy Crockett, Charles Bronson, and set of encyclopedias wrapped up into one dude, but this book had tons of kickass details new to me. Like, he was kind of the first government official to push for an air force, 13 or 14 years before the Wright brothers even got their first plane in the air. He rounded up dangerous outlaws in the wild west, was a badass boxer, could read 2 or 3 books a day, even on a cattle drive, and the Rough Riders thing, which we learned about when we were kids, was way cooler than I had thought. Leading a ragtag group cowboys, Indians, blacks, Ivy League graduates, and all dudes in between, they smack the shit out of the Spaniards who had every advantage over them. I think they may have just been defeated by Teddy's sheer Old Spice commercial manliness. The book ends right when he is vice president and gets the message that the president has succumbed to his wounds. There is lots of stuff like that in this book, which is why I don't give it five stars. Too many chapters ended with someone making some prophetic remark like, "If that young whipper snapper keeps up like this, why by god, he just might be president one day." Since this was originally conceived as a novel or play (I can't remember which), there is sure to be a little more drama than necessary, and it kind of got on my nerves sometimes, but the subject matter was so incredible badass that it's hard to screw up the book. The next volume is called Theodore Rex, which again is a little dramatic, don't you think?
—Clint
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 the best writers of historical non-fiction that I have come across, and I highly recommend this book, and its companion volume, "Theodore Rex", to readers.
—Marcel
My life has been saved and rebuilt by books, and this is one of those books. Though I love this story. I love it not for the typical reasons that one might be inspired by the life of President Theodore Roosevelt. My older sister bought me this book in 1981, a few days after my father died, and I read it several years later as a teen boy on a church youth ski-trip to Glorietta, New Mexico. I could not afford the rich boys’ sport of skiing, so while the rest of the group went either skiing or shopping, I hiked up the mountain by myself, found a commanding viewpoint, and, as the puffy snow fell around me, I read about the life of TR-- from the time of his birth to his becoming the youngest President of the United States after the assassination of President McKinley. I was fascinated by TR’s life growing up in Oyster Bay, New York. He was a sickly and asthmatic boy who was tired of being weak, so he started a program of strength training and exercise in which he transformed himself into a man-- strong of body and spirit. TR, as a boy, was a naturalist who collected flora and fauna and drew detailed pictures of the natural world that surrounded him. He read a book a day and went on to write nearly forty books of his own. TR graduated law school and embarked upon a promising career in politics. Most memorable to me was that TR knew suffering. Like me, his father died while he was a teenager and, a few years later, his wife and his mother died on the same day, in unrelated misfortunes. After his wife’s, death, TR, in his early twenties headed west to remake himself yet again. He said, “Black care rarely sits behind a rider whose pace is fast enough.” He never mentioned his first wife’s name ever again.Little did I know, as I read the book, that I would eerily imitate TR’s life. My father died when I was young, and I would also become a young widower who had to reshape himself and save himself from shipwreck in his early twenties. Where TR turned west and to hunting, I turned to books. I never became important (as I once dreamed), and I regret TR’s leading America away from it foundation as a Republic and toward the path of Empire, but I will always salute the young man who had the courage to overcome shipwreck and to reshape himself against the odds. Thus, he became my role model and this book became one of the most influential that I ever read. It is in this spirit that I fondly remember this book, one of the greatest biographies ever written, and commend it to the world.April 6, 2013Here are links to my reviews of other presidential biographies. Washingtonhttp://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...John Adamshttp://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...Theodore Roosevelthttp://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...Franklin Roosevelthttp://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...Harry Trumanhttp://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
—Steve Sckenda
