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Theodore Roosevelt in the Field
Never has there been a president less content to sit still behind a desk than Theodore Roosevelt. When we picture him, he's on horseback or standing at a cliff’s edge or dressed for safari. And Roosevelt was more than just an adventurer—he was also a naturalist and campaigner for conservation. His love of the outdoor world began at an early age and was driven by a need not to simply observe nature but to be actively involved in the outdoors—to be in the field . As Michael R. Canfield reveals in Theodore Roosevelt in the Field , throughout his life Roosevelt consistently took to the field as a naturalist, hunter, writer, soldier, and conservationist, and it is in the field where his passion for science and nature, his belief in the manly, “strenuous life,” and his drive for empire all came together.
Drawing extensively on Roosevelt’s field notebooks, diaries, and letters, Canfield takes readers into the field on adventures alongside him. From Roosevelt’s early childhood observations of ants to his notes on ornithology as a teenager, Canfield shows how Roosevelt’s quest for knowledge coincided with his interest in the outdoors. We later travel to the Badlands, after the deaths of Roosevelt’s wife and mother, to understand his embrace of the rugged freedom of the ranch lifestyle and the Western wilderness. Finally, Canfield takes us to Africa and South America as we consider Roosevelt’s travels and writings after his presidency. Throughout, we see how the seemingly contradictory aspects of Roosevelt’s biography as a hunter and a naturalist are actually complementary traits of a man eager to directly understand and experience the environment around him.
As our connection to the natural world seems to be more tenuous, Theodore Roosevelt in the Field offers the chance to reinvigorate our enjoyment of nature alongside one of history’s most bold and restlessly curious figures.
Drawing extensively on Roosevelt’s field notebooks, diaries, and letters, Canfield takes readers into the field on adventures alongside him. From Roosevelt’s early childhood observations of ants to his notes on ornithology as a teenager, Canfield shows how Roosevelt’s quest for knowledge coincided with his interest in the outdoors. We later travel to the Badlands, after the deaths of Roosevelt’s wife and mother, to understand his embrace of the rugged freedom of the ranch lifestyle and the Western wilderness. Finally, Canfield takes us to Africa and South America as we consider Roosevelt’s travels and writings after his presidency. Throughout, we see how the seemingly contradictory aspects of Roosevelt’s biography as a hunter and a naturalist are actually complementary traits of a man eager to directly understand and experience the environment around him.
As our connection to the natural world seems to be more tenuous, Theodore Roosevelt in the Field offers the chance to reinvigorate our enjoyment of nature alongside one of history’s most bold and restlessly curious figures.
472 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 29, 2019
This is the sixth biographical book that I have read about Theodore Roosevelt, and it says something about Roosevelt's protean and multifaceted character that there is seemingly no limit to the number of books that can shed light on this most amazing of men. You would think that Edmund Morris' magisterial three volume biography of Roosevelt would have encapsulated everything one would want to know about TR, but you would be wrong.
This book examines the life of Roosevelt strictly from the point of view of his activities and interests as a naturalist, hunter, and conservationist. At first blush, those would seem to be mutually exclusive pursuits, but Roosevelt brought them all together. On his various expeditions, he was not only hunting big game but also collecting specimens for both the National Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History (his father was one of the founders of the latter). Along with his guns, Roosevelt always took a considerable number of books (for his African safari, he had them bound in pigskin so they would endure the rigors of the trip) and his writing materials, filing numerous articles about his adventures.
Roosevelt published 44 books (!), 17 of which dealt with conservation or hunting. Canfield uses copious references from Roosevelt's many writings to weave the tale of his excursions: trips as a youth to Loantaka, Europe, and the Adirondacks; trips as a young man to Maine, the Midwest, and the Badlands; trips to Yellowstone and Yosemite as a president; trips to Africa and the Amazon in his later years, along with a number of smaller hunting or fishing excursions.
Canfield, editor of "Field Notes on Science and Nature", is eminently positioned to understand and relate the scientific aspects of Roosevelt's work and writings as a naturalist. Although he does write about Roosevelt's political and military activities, those are primarily as markers so that we understand the time frame in which Roosevelt's various excursions are taking place.
The more I read about Theodore Roosevelt the more amazed I am about all that he was able to do in his 60 short years. The vigor of his mind, body, and personality were almost overwhelming. It is highly appropriate that his visage is carved into Mt. Rushmore; perhaps only a natural monument of that size is big enough to contain him. We shall not see his like again.
This book examines the life of Roosevelt strictly from the point of view of his activities and interests as a naturalist, hunter, and conservationist. At first blush, those would seem to be mutually exclusive pursuits, but Roosevelt brought them all together. On his various expeditions, he was not only hunting big game but also collecting specimens for both the National Museum of Natural History and the American Museum of Natural History (his father was one of the founders of the latter). Along with his guns, Roosevelt always took a considerable number of books (for his African safari, he had them bound in pigskin so they would endure the rigors of the trip) and his writing materials, filing numerous articles about his adventures.
Roosevelt published 44 books (!), 17 of which dealt with conservation or hunting. Canfield uses copious references from Roosevelt's many writings to weave the tale of his excursions: trips as a youth to Loantaka, Europe, and the Adirondacks; trips as a young man to Maine, the Midwest, and the Badlands; trips to Yellowstone and Yosemite as a president; trips to Africa and the Amazon in his later years, along with a number of smaller hunting or fishing excursions.
Canfield, editor of "Field Notes on Science and Nature", is eminently positioned to understand and relate the scientific aspects of Roosevelt's work and writings as a naturalist. Although he does write about Roosevelt's political and military activities, those are primarily as markers so that we understand the time frame in which Roosevelt's various excursions are taking place.
The more I read about Theodore Roosevelt the more amazed I am about all that he was able to do in his 60 short years. The vigor of his mind, body, and personality were almost overwhelming. It is highly appropriate that his visage is carved into Mt. Rushmore; perhaps only a natural monument of that size is big enough to contain him. We shall not see his like again.
December 20, 2015
Teddy was by far the best US president ever.
In a holistic point of view, Teddy still is the best, greatest US president ever. Not only someone who could deal with diversity, he would manage to be in touch with the real world. In terms of history, Candice Millard 's book, River of Doubt, can't be beaten.
In a holistic point of view, Teddy still is the best, greatest US president ever. Not only someone who could deal with diversity, he would manage to be in touch with the real world. In terms of history, Candice Millard 's book, River of Doubt, can't be beaten.
June 7, 2020
There are few figures in American history more extensively studied than Theodore Roosevelt. It’s easy to see why - the larger than life character chronicled his life in extensive detail, providing the biographer a wealth of material. But where most volumes on TR use his exploits in the backcountry as color for the main narrative, here they take center stage. “Theodore Roosevelt in the Field” expertly weaves contemporaneous journals, letters and Roosevelt’s later books to bring the reader into the wilderness with the Bull Moose himself, providing a detailed but hagiographic chronicling of his many hunting trips and expeditions, from his early trips to the proving grounds of the Badlands to the bloodbath - er, safari - through Africa.
The ethics of Roosevelt’s hunting habits are jarring, and even Roosevelt’s contemporaries criticized the volume of game taken. To his credit, Canfield does address the issue, putting his conquests at odds with his desire for conservation. This excellent book’s main fault is that the latter gets short shrift.
The ethics of Roosevelt’s hunting habits are jarring, and even Roosevelt’s contemporaries criticized the volume of game taken. To his credit, Canfield does address the issue, putting his conquests at odds with his desire for conservation. This excellent book’s main fault is that the latter gets short shrift.
October 6, 2017
Even thought the man has been dead for 99 years I stifled some emotion as I reached the last chapter, the chapter of his death. Theodore Roosevelt is a prime example of a man who became great by going through great tragedies. He met challenge head on. He did not shrink from danger, but became a better man because of it. And we may become better men because of him and others like him. May his resolve pass on to us. Mayhap the iron that was in our forefathers bones might still be buried deep within our own. Embracing the grind and doing hard things might bring it out.
February 21, 2019
I will admit that I am a bit obsessive about TR. Its not hero worship but it is fascination with a very complext and interesting human being. I have read a number of biographies about TR. Canfield's book provides a different perspective -- a lens through which to see the many aspects of his career -- politician, soldier, naturalist, hunter, rancher, President. Canbfield shows man who delighted in the hunt. Its not just about shooting animals. But it is about the process of seeking them out. This is a lens that can be usefully applied to the many different aspects of TR's career and life.
August 30, 2020
Awesome insights into the role of naturalist to Teddie’s overall identity. Wonderful detailed stories of the development of his interest beginning at a very young age. Canfield also remarks on the tension between TR as hunter and as conservationist. He chronicles the gradual and incomplete shift in his views on hunting. Excellent use of TRs notebooks and journals, including many plates of pages from these books. Fun!
August 16, 2018
For those of us that love TR, this is a must read. Mr. Canfield’s approach, from the view of Roosevelt on his many adventures, shows a unique side. It’s a perspective that is key to really appreciating him at the core.
August 25, 2017
TR has always been one of my favorite historical figures, and this view into his life only solidified that opinion. I find him an absolute dynamo of a man, from his involvement in naturalism and science, to his military career, political doings, and general chutzpah. This book not only exemplifies these traits, but also adds deeper looks into the man himself through the addition of TR's own personal notes and thoughts. Fascinating!
February 16, 2017
Not quite a memoir, but not a biography. Using the handwritten field notes and putting them in context, we understand the naturalist side of Theodore Roosevelt. In these trying times for environmentalists and as a reminder to those who see the federal government as a hinderance to development, this is a good source and a reminder of why we have national parks, monuments, and refuge areas. Canfield has done a wonderful job of putting the field notes in relationship with not only the times, but in terms of Roosevelt's personal inclinations.
April 23, 2017
If this book was a novel, Theodore Roosevelt would be considered an unbelievable character. Canfield focuses on one aspect of Roosevelt's life - that of the outdoorsman. From a child who had his own "museum and zoo" to rancher - soldier - conservationist - hunter - and explorer, TR embraced nature with the same ferocity with which he embraced life.
An added bonus in the book - photos of TR's journals, notes, and letters are interspersed throughout the chapters. Brings the reader closer to the man behind the myth.
An added bonus in the book - photos of TR's journals, notes, and letters are interspersed throughout the chapters. Brings the reader closer to the man behind the myth.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews