A Book-Lover's Holidays in the Open

by Theodore Roosevelt

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel

406 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1916

About the author

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., also known as T.R., and to the public (but never to friends and family) as Teddy, was the twenty-sixth President of the United States, and a leader of the Republican Party and of the Progressive Movement.

He fathered Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a daughter.

He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York, historian, naturalist, explorer, author, and soldier (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his role at the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War).

Roosevelt is most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" persona.

Reviews

[Joel Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm no good at writing reviews but I have to share a couple of my favorite quotes from this book:

Regarding books:
"If a man is not fond of books, to him reading of any kind will be drudgery. I most sincerely commiserate such a person, but I do not know how to help him."

Regarding the northern boreal landscape I grew up in:
"...the vast and melancholy boreal forests, where the winter-time always brings with it the threat of famine, where any accident to the solitary wanderer may mean his death, and may mean also that his body will never be found. In the awful loneliness of that forest there are stretches as wide as many a kingdom of Europe to which for decades at a time no man ever goes. In the summer there is sunlit life in the forest; flowers bloom, birds sing, and the wind sighs through the budding branches. In the winter there is iron desolation; the bitter blasts sweep from the north, the driven ice dust sears the face, the snow lies far above a tall man's height, in their icy beds the rivers lie fixed like shining steel. It is a sombre land, where death ever lurks behind the traveller."

[Nancy Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of essays on ecology, hunting, and the wild. Only one essay mentions books, in which he suggests that you read whatever you want. His essay on the lion, the elephant, and the horse is interesting.

It's surprising how sexist, racist, and classist TR was. He makes several comments on the obligation of women to procreate, and the obligation of Native Americans to "civilize" themselves.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the misleading title, as the book is really a collection of stories and essays, one (tiny) chapter of which bares the same title as the book. Nevertheless, I remain fascinated by Theodore Roosevelt, and while some of the commentary was dated and somewhat offensive to modern eyes, I enjoyed the passages that recounted his travels. The stories from the American southwest were jaw dropping, they were my favorite.

If you aren't a fan of TR, his own writing will most likely be tough to swallow, but if you have been hooked by a biography or two, his books can be great supplementary material.

[Daniel Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, so glad the local library was featuring it's old and rare book collection this month or I would've never read this. Any history, political science, or anthropology need would probably enjoy this book.

[Ross Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a dinner soliloquy from TR - erudite, opinionated, and engaging.