Theodore Roosevelt: The Rough Riders and an Autobiography

by Theodore Roosevelt, Louis Auchincloss (Editor)

Reformer, rancher, conservationist, hunter, historian, police commissioner, soldier, the youngest man ever to serve as president of the United States--no other American public figure has led as vigorous and varied a life as Theodore Roosevelt. This volume brings together two fascinating autobiographical works. The Rough Riders (1899) is the story of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, the regiment Roosevelt led to enduring fame during the Spanish-American War. With his characteristic elan Roosevelt recounts how "these grim hunters of the mountains, these wild rough riders of the plains," endured the heat, hunger, rain, mud, and malaria of the Cuban campaign to charge triumphantly up the San Juan Heights during the Battle of Santiago. In An Autobiography (1913), Roosevelt describes his life in politics and the emergence of his progressive ideas. Surveying his career as a state legislator, civil service reformer, New York City police commissioner, assistant secretary of the navy, governor, and president, Roosevelt writes of his battles against corruption, his role in establishing America as a world power, his passionate commitment to conservation, and his growing conviction that only a strong national government and an energetic presidency could protect the public against the rapacious greed of modern corporations.

Genres: History, Biography, Military History, 20th Century, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

864 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2004

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

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finally gave up on this book when I ran out of renewals on it from the library. The Rough Riders part of the book went fairly quickly and was interesting. The Autobiography part was also interesting, but much drier due to the political nature of it and the writing style of the times. Roosevelt explains many of the decisions he made, the political battles waged to get legislation through, and include exerpts from correspondence with acquaintances. I wish I could have slogged through the whole thing, but I feel I read enough to get the gist.

[Ian Connel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy was a badass. That said, the political career stuff gets tedious by the end. I did not finish all of it and I doubt I will, but I still enjoyed what I read.

Is there any wonder America can even consider idiots like Trump, Clinton, and Sanders? Because we can't stand the details, even when they're from the best president we have ever had.

This guy wore thick glasses and never let anybody tell him no. That alone is epic. But his absolute fearlessness in the face of armies, mobs, and myopia, often at the same time, is inspiring. Worth a look if you like real life heroes.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know it was the style at the time, but Teddy wrote a book where everyone was great and brave and America is perfect and ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz.

Teddy was a great man but a boring writer. Only gave it 2 stars because not too many writers have accomplished what he did and not too many Asst. Secretary of the Navy's would quit their job to become a "Volunteer" Colonel in a war.

[Ivor Armistead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating firsthand account the formation and exploits of the “Rough Riders” by Roosevelt whose energy and initiative seem boundless. He is among the most interesting figures in the history of The United States.