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| Theodore Rex (Modern Library Paperbacks) | 
| Author: Edmund Morris
Publisher: Modern Library
Category: Book
List Price: $17.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  201 reviews
Sales Rank: 5561
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 792
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.4
ISBN: 0812966007
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.911
EAN: 9780812966008
ASIN: 0812966007
Publication Date: October 1, 2002
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Amazon.com Review
In this lively biography, Edmund Morris returns to the gifted, energetic, and thoroughly controversial man whom the novelist Henry James called "King Theodore." In his two terms as president of the United States, Roosevelt forged an American empire, and he behaved as if it was his destiny. In this sequel to his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Morris charts Roosevelt's accomplishments: the acquisition of the Panama Canal and the Philippines, the creation of national parks and monuments, and more. "Collaring Capital and Labor in either hand," Morris writes, Roosevelt made few friends, but he usually got what he wanted--and earned an enduring place in history. Morris combines a fine command of the era's big issues with an appreciation for the daily minutiae involved in governing a nation. Less controversially inventive, but no less readable, than the Ronald Reagan biography Dutch, Theodore Rex gives readers new reason both to admire and fault an American phenomenon. --Gregory McNamee
Product Description
Theodore Rex is the story—never fully told before—of Theodore Roosevelt’s two world-changing terms as President of the United States. A hundred years before the catastrophe of September 11, 2001, “TR” succeeded to power in the aftermath of an act of terrorism. Youngest of all our chief executives, he rallied a stricken nation with his superhuman energy, charm, and political skills. He proceeded to combat the problems of race and labor relations and trust control while making the Panama Canal possible and winning the Nobel Peace Prize. But his most historic achievement remains his creation of a national conservation policy, and his monument millions of acres of protected parks and forest. Theodore Rex ends with TR leaving office, still only fifty years old, his future reputation secure as one of our greatest presidents.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 196 more reviews...
 Dull and disappointing October 29, 2008
I have twice tried to get through this book, but I'm finally giving up for good. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Morris) was a spectacular book, so I really wanted to like this one, too. I don't know what happened, but both Teddy and Morris got incredibly dull this time around. The book just moves at a painfully slow pace and includes way too much irrelevant detail.
 A Whirwind Hits the White House October 26, 2008
Edmund Morris has devoted a rather large book to only little more than 8 years of Theodore Roosevelt's life. In his second book of the three part treatise of Theodore Roosevelt's life, Morris has to deal with a great amount of activity of a hands down most energetic President ever.
Mr. Roosevelt remains to this day, the youngest President ever to hold office. Following the death of William McKinley, he took over the helm of government. It was Teddy who ushered America into the ranks of the world's great powers. Roosevelt, who was McKinley's assistant Secretary of the Navy later expounded the virtues of a dominant and large Navy. Teddy also saw the need for a Navy that would dominate not only in the Atlantic but also the Pacific oceans.
Hence the building of the Panama Canal in which Roosevelt was instrumental in the revolution in the Colombian province of Panama. Later with the Army Corps of Engineers under the leadership of Teddy Roosevelt would construct the engineering wonder of the world with the making of the Panama Canal.
Roosevelt not only was a flag waving proponent of "Speak softly and carry a big stick", he indeed did act silently as in his warning to Germany against forcibly collecting debts owed it by Venezuela, which he backed up his warning with Naval exercises off Puerto Rico. This was his way of enforcing the Monroe Doctrine.
TR also gained a reputation as a peacemaker. He was instrumental in negotiating the terms to end the Russo-Japanese War which earned Roosevelt the Nobel Peace Prize.
Later his "big stick policy" carried through with his great White Ship Armanda traveling around the World.
In domestic affairs Roosevelt became known as a trust buster who indeed did try to contain the large bank robber barons and cartels that became prevalent in the late 1800's unto the 20th Century.
Just in outlining Roosevelt's achievements is a task. He was indeed tireless. Everything was a challenge, and he never sat back and rested. It was always full steam ahead.
Edmund Morris' prose reads like a novel. His research and due diligence is well known. He indeed is a perfectionist. His books are well researched as can be seen as to how long it takes to write these excellent scenarios.
I am looking forward to the later years of Theodore Roosevelt. If it was anything like the first two books, we are in for a treat.
Very worthy effort that leaves me wanting more, not less, October 11, 2008
Don't misunderstand, this was a very good book, but it left me a little flat, because it wasn't--long enough. I know, 772 pages is plenty long, but 220 pages of that are notes and index.
The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (Modern Library Paperbacks) by the same author, covering the years of his life up to the presidency, seemed to complete a more detailed portrait of that phase of TR's life. This book seemed to brush over the eight presidential years in watercolor fashion, much like the jacket portrait of Teddy at repose in soft focus.
Still, this is a very worthy effort that leaves me wanting more, not less, about this amazing "dynamogenic" man who as President just devoured the landscape around him (literally and figuratively), and seldom stood at repose in soft focus.
It is not a wonder that Ronald Reagan found Roosevelt his model for governing, and it is clear that after Lincoln and Washington, Roosevelt must stand as the President guiding his country through the most perilous times with the strongest hand.
An Excellent Portrait of a Great President October 7, 2008
Edmund Morris's second book in a projected three volume set about Theodore Roosevelt is an excellent tome, meticulously researched and extremely well-written. The years are pivotal in American history, from 1901 through 1909 as America becomes more involved in world affairs. Roosevelt was a larger than life character in his interests and ambitions. Morris makes superb use of TR's papers and other documents to render an accurate portrait of one of America's most beloved and energetic presidents. He makes ample use of the archives of Roosevelts observes like John Hay, William Howard Taft and others. Roosevelt was the youngest president and the books bursts with his mesmerizing accomplishments such as Western conservation, author, monopoly busting, Republican advances in race and labor as well as his quiet sponsorship of a revolution in Colombian province called Panama - where he later built that little canal. This was in an era when "Progressive" meant forward thinking rather than the socialist-left wing concept of today. He mediated war between Russia and Japan, bringing the office of the Presidency into international affairs.
A Window into Roosevelt's Presidency July 16, 2008
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it difficult to put down and on the rare occasions I did, I could not wait to pick it up again. Morris managed to bring back to life a pivotal period in the history of the United States through the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. While reading, I always felt as though I was standing by T.R.'s side simply watching the events unfold. Morris' storytelling style made for easy reading.
I felt the highlights were in his handling of the Anthracite Coal Strike, the Northern Securities scandal, and the origins of the "Teddy" Bear, among others. However, the opening sequence detailing his journey to Buffalo, NY following the assassination of McKinley provides a fantastic jumping off point for the fast-paced presidency he was about to take on.
Reading a book like this really makes a person long for the honest, hard-working political figures of the past. It makes modern-day politics look even more corrupt by comparison.
Bottom line: do yourself a favor and read this book.
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