A ripping good yarn. ( )

This book was as full of life as its subject. Theodore Roosevelt is one of those larger than life characters one reads about in the history books. This book brings him fully to life. From his early days as a sickly little boy to his transformation as a robust and energetic politician, this book tells the complete tale. It recounts the tragic story of his first wife, Alice, and her untimely death, which plunged Theodore into grief, so much so that he erased all trace of her from his diaries, letters, and scrapbooks, and omitted her name from his memoirs. It tells the story of his love for his country, and how he worked for her as Governor of New York and later as its President. Post-presidency, Theodore didn't limp into retirement. He undertook two strenuous journeys to Africa and to South America, collecting specimens for museums and writing articles for newspapers. At the conclusion of the book, the reader feels a sense that this was a life well lived. ( )

There are a number of good books about Theodore Roosevelt. Mornings on Horseback focuses on his early life, while Theodore Rex covers his years as president. Just last year, Douglas Brinkley's The Wilderness Warrior, which focused on Roosevelt's support of the conservation movement, was published. However, I knew relatively little about Roosevelt and wanted a book that provide an overview of his life. Miller's biography fit the bill nicely.

Roosevelt led an interesting life. I have to think that Roosevelt is a biographer's dream. He was a larger-than-life character who moved from an action-packed childhood to a career as a tenacious New York politician to a heroic turn as a member of the Rough Riders to an unexpected rise to the presidency. In between he wrote a number of books, shot big game, and had a large and active family. Clearly, there is plenty of fodder for a biographer.

Miller took this raw material and turned it into an interesting and coherent story. He includes plenty of relevant and interesting details without belaboring any single stage of the president's life. He helps us understand how the context shaped Roosevelt's actions and how Roosevelt shaped the political landscape during his presidency and for the remainder of his life. While this book made me want to read some of the other more focused Roosevelt biographies, it also stands on its own as a readable overview of a remarkable life.

4271 Theodore Roosevelt A Life, by Nathan Miller (read 11 Feb 2007) This was a fun book to read, even if it told little new. It is overly admiratory of its subject, who loved war, got so excited at times he was almost maniacal, and talked a more progressive line than he acted. The political history is always fun to read about, and TR's personal life is full of interest--as David McCullough's masterful Mornings on Horseback (read by me 13 Mar 1983) long ago made me realize. This book was very easy to read and there is not a dull page in it. ( )

Theodore Roosevelt ! ( )