( 8 reviews )
-
Posted: Dec 28 2008
H.W.Brands is, in my opinion, a writer in the class of David McCullough, but he is more. He is one of the premier historians of American history currently writing. Most of his books have been concerned with the 19th century, but recently he has extended his scope to the 20th century with a biography of FDR. Being a great historian, as well as a great writer, allows him to infuse his works with the background gathered from a career devoted to the study of American history. In contrast, some biographers devote several years to a subject and then move on. Brands is able to do more because his command of American history is greater. Brands covers all of TR's life, from birth to death. He shows how he shaped the modern version of the American presidency and how his progressive platform, while not completely implemented during his presidency, has become the fundamental basis for the interaction between the US government and the people. When most men of his age and experience would have been content to direct a war from afar (in his case as assistant secretary of the navy at the start of the Spanish American War), he formed his own volunteer regiment and personally led then to glory and would have received the Medal on Honor were his political enemies not afraid of the increased acclaim and power that it would have brought him. Brands shows TR as a man obsessed with his conception of right and wrong, as a man who saw only black and white and one who came to believe that those who did not believe as he did, did so for nefarious reasons. Brands shows TR to be a mass of contradictions. He loved the navy, yet was always seasick. He saw war as the most noble of man's callings and as a means of testing ones self, yet for all of his bellicose nature he also received the Nobel Peace Prize. He was an ardent conservationist, yet he reveled in killing all sorts of animals, from birds in his youth, to bigger game as he grew older. He hated political bosses, but aligned with them when he had to in order to further his political career. Brands has produced a very partisan biography, but one that does not shy away the less endearing aspects of TR's character. In some respects TR never matured beyond that of a 12 year old. He reveled in war and the great deeds of warriors in the way of a typical 12 year old. TR thirsted for glory in spite of the anguish that it gave to those he left behind. In my opinion, this was a manifestation of a selfish and immature streak that marred his character. He not only went to war, which was patriotic and therefore understandable and quite laudable, but he also went on long trips (vacations and expeditions) leaving his wife to worry about his safety (because he delighted in testing himself by placing his life in danger) and to care for their 6 children without his support. He hunted bears and braved all sorts of natural calamities in his many trips to the west. He hunted in Africa (for almost a year) and braved the wild Amazon. His expedition to the Amazon was the first to chart the River of Doubt, renamed Rio Roosevelt in his honor and almost died during the trip. He was even in danger on his more sedate travels, being almost assassinated on a campaign trip and almost lost his life due to a trolley accident. He reveled at placing himself in danger, but only realized the torment that this gave to those who loved him when his own sons fought in the First World War. I liked the book and highly recommend it to students of American history and to those who like a good biography. I learned a lot. It is a testament to Brands partisan but comprehensive approach, that the negative aspects of TR's character actually made me respect him somewhat less than I did before reading this book.
-
Posted: May 17 2008
I am very pleased to add this book by Brands to my T.R.collection. He gave me more insight to Roosevelt's life as a man, a husband, a father and a President. A very good, informative read.
-
Posted: Apr 5 2007
I grew up being a fan of Theodore Roosevelt. His energy, unabased patriotism, and concern for the people all attracted me. As time went on and I learned more of him that admiration slowly receded. Nowadays, I can admire his energy but his patriotism I realise was over the line, border line jingoism. His 'concern' for the people caused him to ignore and reinterpert the Constitution in ways favorably to actions he wanted to take. That said, Mr. Brands has not done a particularly interesting book. The style of writing is breezy and almost tabloid in style. Details are often lacking and opinions are injected without indentifing themselves as such. In stark contrast to Theodore Rex by Mr. Morris, this book seems to be a lightweight. Little concern is apparent in Mr. Brands writings concerneing the damage TR was doing to both the nation and Constitution with his cavaliar attitude in governing the nation. If you want to know about TR's decision making at critical junctions in history or indepth background to such, this is not the book for you. Mr. Morris' book is far better then this Hollywood style tome. At best this book might be a TR primer, for sure it is not the best book on the subject.
