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The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America
From New York Times bestselling historian Douglas Brinkley comes a sweeping historical narrative and eye-opening look at the pioneering environmental policies of President Theodore Roosevelt, avid bird-watcher, naturalist, and the founding father of America’s conservation movement.
In this groundbreaking epic biography, Douglas Brinkley draws on never-before-published materials to examine the life and achievements of our “naturalist president.” By setting aside more than 230 million acres of wild America for posterity between 1901 and 1909, Theodore Roosevelt made conservation a universal endeavor. This crusade for the American wilderness was perhaps the greatest U.S. presidential initiative between the Civil War and World War I. Roosevelt’s most important legacies led to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and passage of the Antiquities Act in 1906. His executive orders saved such treasures as Devils Tower, the Grand Canyon, and the Petrified Forest.
In this groundbreaking epic biography, Douglas Brinkley draws on never-before-published materials to examine the life and achievements of our “naturalist president.” By setting aside more than 230 million acres of wild America for posterity between 1901 and 1909, Theodore Roosevelt made conservation a universal endeavor. This crusade for the American wilderness was perhaps the greatest U.S. presidential initiative between the Civil War and World War I. Roosevelt’s most important legacies led to the creation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and passage of the Antiquities Act in 1906. His executive orders saved such treasures as Devils Tower, the Grand Canyon, and the Petrified Forest.
960 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2009
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7076 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Brinkley
112 books402 followersDouglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. The Chicago Tribune has dubbed him “America’s new past master.” His most recent books are The Quiet World, The Wilderness Warrior, and The Great Deluge. Six of his books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
September 19, 2009
Let there be no question who the 'environmental president' was. Brinkley establishes that in meticulous, painstaking detail. I think I now know every bird TR observed, every book on nature he read, every park he created. A monograph would have been enough. Oh, there are great anecdotes and analyses here. But this bordered on Too Much Information. And the problem is that TR was not just a conservationist president. By focusing only on TR's conservationist actions, Brinkley does TR and history a disservice.
For example, Brinkley tells wonderful stories about TR's relationships with Booker T. Washington and Holt Collier, an African-American bear hunter and truly great character. Not a peep about the Brownsville incident though, which is Roosevelt's low point. So, you are left with the belief that TR was the hippest president ever in regards to African-Americans, without a racist bone or tendency. Yet, TR was a product of his time, better than most, but not without issues. Also unintended, I'm sure, is the appearance that TR vacationed more than any other president. It seems so, because that is Brinkley's focus. Not international policy, or trust-busting; but, rather, whether he slept in the open or under cover on his many hunting trips.
And, although Brinkley covers TR from birth with a microscope about his nature forays, he stops abruptly at the end of his presidency. I'm not complaining, mind you, but it's ridiculously inconsistent. TR's African trip still loomed.
I applaud the scholarship, and much of the writing. Yet, I would recommend the many full biographies, which give a fuller picture of the man himself, including his environmental efforts and love.
For example, Brinkley tells wonderful stories about TR's relationships with Booker T. Washington and Holt Collier, an African-American bear hunter and truly great character. Not a peep about the Brownsville incident though, which is Roosevelt's low point. So, you are left with the belief that TR was the hippest president ever in regards to African-Americans, without a racist bone or tendency. Yet, TR was a product of his time, better than most, but not without issues. Also unintended, I'm sure, is the appearance that TR vacationed more than any other president. It seems so, because that is Brinkley's focus. Not international policy, or trust-busting; but, rather, whether he slept in the open or under cover on his many hunting trips.
And, although Brinkley covers TR from birth with a microscope about his nature forays, he stops abruptly at the end of his presidency. I'm not complaining, mind you, but it's ridiculously inconsistent. TR's African trip still loomed.
I applaud the scholarship, and much of the writing. Yet, I would recommend the many full biographies, which give a fuller picture of the man himself, including his environmental efforts and love.
August 20, 2012
So, first of all let me say, I love Teddy Roosevelt. I think I may have an unnatural obsession with him, especially considering the giant mustache he sported which is usually a turnoff for me. His conservationist side is one of the main things that I appreciate about him. That made The Wilderness Warrior a huge draw for me.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't do T.R. justice. First of all, the editing was borderline offensive. I know I shouldn't hold that against the author, but it was awful. There were instances where the same sentences were placed one right after the other in slightly different wording. I'd imagine Douglas Brinkley put them both in there to determine which one sounded better later, but somehow they both made it into the book. Gah. This happened on multiple occasions. I assume it was corrected in later editions, but it definitely took away from my experience with the book. The editor (if there was one) could also easily have done away with about 200 pages of the book and no information that the author wanted to relay would have been neglected.
Somehow the author took one of the most interesting characters in history (IMO) and made him seem dull. Most of the chapters read more like a textbook. Which I suppose would have been fine if that were the point. I prefer my biographies to have a little more life to them. David McCullough's Mornings On Horseback is a great example of a biography done well. I suggest you read that one instead if you're looking to read about Teddy Roosevelt.
The idea of this book was better than it's execution. I was really excited to read about this aspect of T.R.'s life and was thrilled that there was a book dedicated to it. If the author had been able to express his ideas in a more succinct way, it might have been an easier and more interesting read.
Unfortunately, this book just didn't do T.R. justice. First of all, the editing was borderline offensive. I know I shouldn't hold that against the author, but it was awful. There were instances where the same sentences were placed one right after the other in slightly different wording. I'd imagine Douglas Brinkley put them both in there to determine which one sounded better later, but somehow they both made it into the book. Gah. This happened on multiple occasions. I assume it was corrected in later editions, but it definitely took away from my experience with the book. The editor (if there was one) could also easily have done away with about 200 pages of the book and no information that the author wanted to relay would have been neglected.
Somehow the author took one of the most interesting characters in history (IMO) and made him seem dull. Most of the chapters read more like a textbook. Which I suppose would have been fine if that were the point. I prefer my biographies to have a little more life to them. David McCullough's Mornings On Horseback is a great example of a biography done well. I suggest you read that one instead if you're looking to read about Teddy Roosevelt.
The idea of this book was better than it's execution. I was really excited to read about this aspect of T.R.'s life and was thrilled that there was a book dedicated to it. If the author had been able to express his ideas in a more succinct way, it might have been an easier and more interesting read.
December 26, 2009
Bound Miami SunPost November 15, 2009
http://miamisunpost.com/themorgue/200...
The Rough Riding Tree Hugger
Teddy Roosevelt’s Deep Green Militancy
John Hood
There’s a good reason why Teddy Roosevelt’s mug is on Mount Rushmore. Because of all the president’s, he’s the one who’s legacy is large enough to stand alongside the likes of Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson. Like our first president, Roosevelt was a war hero, even if the fight he fought was in but “a splendid little war.” Like Lincoln, Roosevelt had a stoic self-reliance, and he never let the fact that he was born in the lap of luxury dispel the notion that he too knew how to rough it. And like Jefferson, Roosevelt was something of a polyglot, as likely to be writing a biography of Oliver Cromwell as he would be conducting a study in ornithology. More importantly, the rough-riding, 26th President of these United States made of himself a myth that he never once failed to live up to.
Much of that myth, as it were, involves America’s wilds, the birds and the beasts and the fields and the streams and the forests that make this such a bucolic land. And T.R., as he was commonly called, spent the whole of his life ensuring they’d be around forever.
So it is with great good pleasure that we greet Douglas Brinkley’s deliciously eruditious The Wilderness Warrior: Teddy Roosevelt and the Crusade for America (Harper $34.99), a book that is biography in name alone. Sure it’s another in a long line of presidential lives. But Brinkley skews everything to the land, and in so doing shows that Roosevelt was more than just a mythic figure; he was the first Green President.
From the get, T.R. was enamored with nature. Born a mere year before Darwin unleashed The Origin of the Species, Teddy’s life ran completely concurrent with the book, and by age 10 or 11, “the biologist was his touchstone, a Noah-like hero.” Even before that though, Teddy, forced to the country by ill health, had become “a skilled field birder,” and was so touched by wildlife that he “saw the face of God” in a fox.
This was not an instance of a child being taken in by Aesop’s Fables or Mother Goose. In fact, writes Brinkley, “the cuteness of anthropomorphized animals annoyed” the young lad. And “once Roosevelt grasped the concept of natural selection,” he’d study “the anomalies of the natural world” with “a Darwinian eye.”
But Darwin wasn’t the only hero to the boy. Prior to The Origin, Roosevelt would cart around a copy of David Livingstone’s mammoth Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa. And once Thomas Huxley got on board with Darwin’s theorizing (and in fact, became “Darwin’s bulldog”), young Ted placed the British biologist at the top of his to know list. Beyond that there were the 75 works of Irish adventure writer Captain Mayne Reid, “a school tutor turned frontiersman on the Missouri and Platte rivers [who:] wrote about the ‘Wilderness Out There’ in a highly romantic way, as in a cowboy western.” It is that juxtaposition of science and adventure which formed the basis of Roosevelt’s life – and his myth.
Unbeknownst to me, a large part of Roosevelt’s early environmentalism concerned Florida, a state which he frequented often and where he never failed to find joy. Responding to women’s rage for plumage, he turned Pelican Island into a Federal Bird Reservation (and ‘set the stage for the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System’). And Roosevelt’s fondness for herons, terns and ibises would lead him to insist, as president, “that killing one of these Florida exotics was a federal crime.”
Unlike John James Audobon, who traversed our entire state with a paint box in one hand and a gun in the other, Roosevelt was of a more Thoreau-like mind when it came to “the war on the wilderness.” Unlike the hermit of Walden Pond however, Roosevelt did align with the gentlemen hunters of the time. For they were the ones who actually helped preserve great swaths of the Northeast. Part of those initial efforts came about after the founding, with George Bird Grinnell, of the Boone and Crockett Club, that still-existing group that at one time or another had among their members General William Tecumseh Sherman and Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the United States Forest Service.
Brinkley briskly but thoroughly covers it all, until eventually reaching the crescendo we all know: the preservation of some 230 million acres of our most pristine and cherished lands, from Maine to Hawaii. He gets Roosevelt riding alongside the Southwestern bronco busters and cowboys as the Rough Riders take Kettle Hill in the Battle of San Juan Heights. He gets Roosevelt the Governor of New York who was ever ready to throwdown with a bit of wrestling or boxing in the executive mansion. And he gets Roosevelt the strategist, who’d circumvent the world if it meant saving another precious acre.
Mostly though, Brinkley gets Roosevelt the staunch advocate of “the strenuous life.” The man who came “up from asthma” to find himself fit as a fiddle and greeted each day with a robustness few could even fathom let alone duplicate. It’s the portrait of a man who willed himself into myth-hood. And a man who in so doing left the world – wild and otherwise – a much better place.
http://miamisunpost.com/themorgue/200...
The Rough Riding Tree Hugger
Teddy Roosevelt’s Deep Green Militancy
John Hood
There’s a good reason why Teddy Roosevelt’s mug is on Mount Rushmore. Because of all the president’s, he’s the one who’s legacy is large enough to stand alongside the likes of Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson. Like our first president, Roosevelt was a war hero, even if the fight he fought was in but “a splendid little war.” Like Lincoln, Roosevelt had a stoic self-reliance, and he never let the fact that he was born in the lap of luxury dispel the notion that he too knew how to rough it. And like Jefferson, Roosevelt was something of a polyglot, as likely to be writing a biography of Oliver Cromwell as he would be conducting a study in ornithology. More importantly, the rough-riding, 26th President of these United States made of himself a myth that he never once failed to live up to.
Much of that myth, as it were, involves America’s wilds, the birds and the beasts and the fields and the streams and the forests that make this such a bucolic land. And T.R., as he was commonly called, spent the whole of his life ensuring they’d be around forever.
So it is with great good pleasure that we greet Douglas Brinkley’s deliciously eruditious The Wilderness Warrior: Teddy Roosevelt and the Crusade for America (Harper $34.99), a book that is biography in name alone. Sure it’s another in a long line of presidential lives. But Brinkley skews everything to the land, and in so doing shows that Roosevelt was more than just a mythic figure; he was the first Green President.
From the get, T.R. was enamored with nature. Born a mere year before Darwin unleashed The Origin of the Species, Teddy’s life ran completely concurrent with the book, and by age 10 or 11, “the biologist was his touchstone, a Noah-like hero.” Even before that though, Teddy, forced to the country by ill health, had become “a skilled field birder,” and was so touched by wildlife that he “saw the face of God” in a fox.
This was not an instance of a child being taken in by Aesop’s Fables or Mother Goose. In fact, writes Brinkley, “the cuteness of anthropomorphized animals annoyed” the young lad. And “once Roosevelt grasped the concept of natural selection,” he’d study “the anomalies of the natural world” with “a Darwinian eye.”
But Darwin wasn’t the only hero to the boy. Prior to The Origin, Roosevelt would cart around a copy of David Livingstone’s mammoth Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa. And once Thomas Huxley got on board with Darwin’s theorizing (and in fact, became “Darwin’s bulldog”), young Ted placed the British biologist at the top of his to know list. Beyond that there were the 75 works of Irish adventure writer Captain Mayne Reid, “a school tutor turned frontiersman on the Missouri and Platte rivers [who:] wrote about the ‘Wilderness Out There’ in a highly romantic way, as in a cowboy western.” It is that juxtaposition of science and adventure which formed the basis of Roosevelt’s life – and his myth.
Unbeknownst to me, a large part of Roosevelt’s early environmentalism concerned Florida, a state which he frequented often and where he never failed to find joy. Responding to women’s rage for plumage, he turned Pelican Island into a Federal Bird Reservation (and ‘set the stage for the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System’). And Roosevelt’s fondness for herons, terns and ibises would lead him to insist, as president, “that killing one of these Florida exotics was a federal crime.”
Unlike John James Audobon, who traversed our entire state with a paint box in one hand and a gun in the other, Roosevelt was of a more Thoreau-like mind when it came to “the war on the wilderness.” Unlike the hermit of Walden Pond however, Roosevelt did align with the gentlemen hunters of the time. For they were the ones who actually helped preserve great swaths of the Northeast. Part of those initial efforts came about after the founding, with George Bird Grinnell, of the Boone and Crockett Club, that still-existing group that at one time or another had among their members General William Tecumseh Sherman and Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the United States Forest Service.
Brinkley briskly but thoroughly covers it all, until eventually reaching the crescendo we all know: the preservation of some 230 million acres of our most pristine and cherished lands, from Maine to Hawaii. He gets Roosevelt riding alongside the Southwestern bronco busters and cowboys as the Rough Riders take Kettle Hill in the Battle of San Juan Heights. He gets Roosevelt the Governor of New York who was ever ready to throwdown with a bit of wrestling or boxing in the executive mansion. And he gets Roosevelt the strategist, who’d circumvent the world if it meant saving another precious acre.
Mostly though, Brinkley gets Roosevelt the staunch advocate of “the strenuous life.” The man who came “up from asthma” to find himself fit as a fiddle and greeted each day with a robustness few could even fathom let alone duplicate. It’s the portrait of a man who willed himself into myth-hood. And a man who in so doing left the world – wild and otherwise – a much better place.
April 17, 2021
I always wondered why Teddy Roosevelt's face was on Mount Rushmore. Now I don't. He belongs there at least as much as the others there and I owe that knowledge to this book.
Wilderness Warrior is an account of the life-long naturalist who gave us most of our National Parks, Monuments and game reserves. From his precocious youth, Teddy (he hated that name) was captivated by nature and driven with a desire to know, record and collect the plants and, in particular, the animals of our world.
With a zest for life and action, TR burst into every room he entered with such enthusiasm that all were swept away. Never afraid of confronting entrenched power, as President he relentlessly put the office to use saving wild places for the future as an environmentalist far ahead of the movement we know today. He belongs on Mt. Rushmore not only for this work but also because he had a special affection for the Badlands and Black Hills area.
Never one to let physical discomfort keep him from action, he was always out front in the wild, looking for big game, but at the same time sensitive to the flowers and birds around him.
This is one big book but I was never bored in the 800 pages because TR's life is so fascinating, action filled and associated with so many colorful characters of a type that has largely disappeared. Never one to be pompous, TR loved to associate with outdoorsmen and the quirkier the better. He'd sit right down at the campfire and trade adventure stories until the flames died down. Similarly, there was always time at the White House for a visit from a friend in from the West. He was an affectionate friend of John Muir and John Burroughs. Brinkley's accounts of Roosevelt's vacation escapes from the White House are hilarious reading. The man in many ways remained a fun-loving child and was a wonderful father and husband.
To top it off, Roosevelt was an outstanding writer, author of several respected books on wildlife and right at home with the leading authorities on wildlife at the time.
I was set straight on TR's Cuban experience during the Spanish American War. Though full of chest-pounding Americanism, he was a bold and respected leader of the Rough Riders, displaying courage and compassion for his men that kept them at his side long after the war was over.
Wilderness Warrior is great history, vivid and affecting. I challenge anyone to read this book and not turn the last page with a close bond to TR, a man to whom we owe so much and of whom most these days (including me until now) know very little.
Wilderness Warrior is an account of the life-long naturalist who gave us most of our National Parks, Monuments and game reserves. From his precocious youth, Teddy (he hated that name) was captivated by nature and driven with a desire to know, record and collect the plants and, in particular, the animals of our world.
With a zest for life and action, TR burst into every room he entered with such enthusiasm that all were swept away. Never afraid of confronting entrenched power, as President he relentlessly put the office to use saving wild places for the future as an environmentalist far ahead of the movement we know today. He belongs on Mt. Rushmore not only for this work but also because he had a special affection for the Badlands and Black Hills area.
Never one to let physical discomfort keep him from action, he was always out front in the wild, looking for big game, but at the same time sensitive to the flowers and birds around him.
This is one big book but I was never bored in the 800 pages because TR's life is so fascinating, action filled and associated with so many colorful characters of a type that has largely disappeared. Never one to be pompous, TR loved to associate with outdoorsmen and the quirkier the better. He'd sit right down at the campfire and trade adventure stories until the flames died down. Similarly, there was always time at the White House for a visit from a friend in from the West. He was an affectionate friend of John Muir and John Burroughs. Brinkley's accounts of Roosevelt's vacation escapes from the White House are hilarious reading. The man in many ways remained a fun-loving child and was a wonderful father and husband.
To top it off, Roosevelt was an outstanding writer, author of several respected books on wildlife and right at home with the leading authorities on wildlife at the time.
I was set straight on TR's Cuban experience during the Spanish American War. Though full of chest-pounding Americanism, he was a bold and respected leader of the Rough Riders, displaying courage and compassion for his men that kept them at his side long after the war was over.
Wilderness Warrior is great history, vivid and affecting. I challenge anyone to read this book and not turn the last page with a close bond to TR, a man to whom we owe so much and of whom most these days (including me until now) know very little.
March 8, 2019
Thank God for forward looking nature loving Theodore Roosevelt! In this well documented and well written book readers follow the evolution of Teddy Roosevelt from young ornithologist to hunter to a man committed to the preservation of America’s natural wonders, antiquities, and many species of animals, birds, and fish.
Although this is a long book, the subject matter is fascinating. Roosevelt’s larger than life personality comes through. He is such a remarkable man. And so many of the National Parks we enjoy were created through his efforts. He and his staff were not afraid to take on large logging organizations, mining corporations, and railroads to preserve our heritage.
Although this is a long book, the subject matter is fascinating. Roosevelt’s larger than life personality comes through. He is such a remarkable man. And so many of the National Parks we enjoy were created through his efforts. He and his staff were not afraid to take on large logging organizations, mining corporations, and railroads to preserve our heritage.
April 1, 2023
This book is a biography of Theodore Roosevelt that focuses on his lifelong interest and passion in preserving wild areas and the creatures that inhabited them. Most of the National Parks, Monuments and National Forests he created were in the west as there were fewer people, but he did also create east of the Mississippi. It is well researched and written and the author’s writing style makes it an enjoyable read. I recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in the history of the expansion of the preservation of the natural wonders in our country.
January 30, 2024
This one has been on the shelf for way too long. Everything one would ever want to know about our National Parks, Forest Reserves, bird sanctuaries, wildlife, and the man responsible for putting these aside for "the benefit of the people" is included in this book. From a young age, Teddy Roosevelt (TR) was fascinated with wildlife. He would collect and study specimens, amassing so many that he started his own boyhood museum of natural history. He would go on to build an incredible list of accolades: Harvard graduate, New York State Assemblyman, Governor of New York, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Rough Rider, Vice President, and of course, President of the United States. He was a Medal of Honor recipient, Nobel Prize recipient, the first President to leave the Country. Despite this impressive resume, his lasting legacy will come from the land he set aside for the enjoyment of "our children and our children's children." During his tenure as President, he saved more than 234 million acres of American wilderness. This includes 150 national forests, 51 bird reservations, 18 national monuments, 5 national parks, and 4 game preserves. He didn't do it all alone. He had powerful and passionate people in his corner that shared his love for the wilderness.
I have no doubt that our four greatest Presidents are currently enshrined at Mt. Rushmore (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt). Without Roosevelt's "accidental presidency," taking over after the assassination of President McKinley, the state of the United States today would most likely be much different. Although our National Parks had been established by Grant through the preservation of Yellowstone, we would have much less land free from over-timbering, production, and many more species would likely be extinct without the foresight and efforts of TR. Our parks and forest reserves may have come to fruition, but not at the rate which TR set them aside. He was the right person, in the right role, at the right time.
It was a fascinating read - loaded with people, places, and dates. It is the perfect book for anyone that appreciates a good hike in the woods.
I have no doubt that our four greatest Presidents are currently enshrined at Mt. Rushmore (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt). Without Roosevelt's "accidental presidency," taking over after the assassination of President McKinley, the state of the United States today would most likely be much different. Although our National Parks had been established by Grant through the preservation of Yellowstone, we would have much less land free from over-timbering, production, and many more species would likely be extinct without the foresight and efforts of TR. Our parks and forest reserves may have come to fruition, but not at the rate which TR set them aside. He was the right person, in the right role, at the right time.
It was a fascinating read - loaded with people, places, and dates. It is the perfect book for anyone that appreciates a good hike in the woods.
Want to read
April 30, 2019**********************
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy Egan
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy Egan
March 17, 2010
Theodore Roosevelt has become a popular subject for biographers the past few years. Two more volumes (the third volume of Edmund Morris's massive trilogy and Doris Kearns Goodwin's first door-stopper after Team of Rivals) are due within the next year. With all the words expended on TR, it should be difficult to find anything new and noteworthy to say. Douglas Brinkley pulls off this neat trick by addressing a subject near and dear to Roosevelt's heart: conservation. He uses TR's life from the little boy in Manhattan fascinated by a seal at a local fish market to the president who preserved thousands of acres of wilderness to show his growing environmentalism. As a boy, Roosevelt learned taxidermy as a way to study birds he would shoot; as president, his favorite form of recreation was a day of birding, competing with others to identify the most birds in the Washington area. Brinkley does not avoid his larger-than-life subject's flaws; he could be quite high-handed in his dealings with others (he was not good at negotiations with Congress, preferring to force measures through in such a way that his wishes were often ignored toward the end of his presidency) and his need to sometimes show off just how much he knew on a subject. Also addressed is TR's reputation as a bloodthirsty hunter. In Brinkley's telling, he was not that savage; as he grew older and learned more about different ecosystems, he hunted less and observed more. Above all, it is his resourcefulness in going around an often hostile Congress to create new national parks, the first national forests and bird sanctuaries that a new dimension of his heroism is revealed.
So why only four stars? This book is the most indifferently edited one I have read in some time. Facts that a non-history professor would know are mixed up, commas sometimes come after the month, not the day of that month and some points Brinkley wants to make are repeated more than necessary. This book is over 800 pages in length; it could have easily been 100 pages shorter without the loss of anything of value. An unfortunate drawback, yet it does not detract from the magnificence of Brinkley's achievement. TR would be proud.
So why only four stars? This book is the most indifferently edited one I have read in some time. Facts that a non-history professor would know are mixed up, commas sometimes come after the month, not the day of that month and some points Brinkley wants to make are repeated more than necessary. This book is over 800 pages in length; it could have easily been 100 pages shorter without the loss of anything of value. An unfortunate drawback, yet it does not detract from the magnificence of Brinkley's achievement. TR would be proud.
August 13, 2009
Looking forward to this. A very good (and prolific) writer, and a subject I feel some kinship with. My grandfather met Teddy and Taft about 100 years ago. He was impressed that they seemed like regular, unassuming guys. My grandfather took more pride in his adopted country (as seems typical) than many natives. Also interested in the conservation angle. .....Update: Terrific!!! A unique personality, tied to the birth of the movement to conserve the American wilderness. Shows why TR is remembered, and most of his contemporaries of note forgotten by the person on the street.
May 30, 2016
Never read anything by Brinkley before and this was quite a treat. Living in Utah, I am surrounded by beautiful national parks, monuments, and forests that are part of T.R.'s enduring legacy. This book was a fascinating journey through nature conservation history and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
May 28, 2022
3.25 stars
President Theodore Roosevelt was a bird lover, a lover of nature in general, and also a hunter. As president from 1901- 1909, he created numerous national parks and monuments and expanded more; he brought in laws protecting birds, as well as created hunting seasons and licensing. He admired Darwin and his theories. He did a lot for conservation in the United States in the early 20th century.
Sadly, I also felt he was very contradictory due to his joy of hunting (including trophy hunting!) Yes, he did a LOT for conservation, but that was dimmed (in my opinion) by his love of hunting, particularly big game, in many cases just to put the animal’s head on his wall. Even in some of his parks, he still allowed hunting, but only of predators, not prey. This was a very long book at just under 1000 pages, so there were times I lost interest. I did learn some interesting things, too – I didn’t know “teddy bears” were named after him (but he didn’t like being called “Teddy”, either).
President Theodore Roosevelt was a bird lover, a lover of nature in general, and also a hunter. As president from 1901- 1909, he created numerous national parks and monuments and expanded more; he brought in laws protecting birds, as well as created hunting seasons and licensing. He admired Darwin and his theories. He did a lot for conservation in the United States in the early 20th century.
Sadly, I also felt he was very contradictory due to his joy of hunting (including trophy hunting!) Yes, he did a LOT for conservation, but that was dimmed (in my opinion) by his love of hunting, particularly big game, in many cases just to put the animal’s head on his wall. Even in some of his parks, he still allowed hunting, but only of predators, not prey. This was a very long book at just under 1000 pages, so there were times I lost interest. I did learn some interesting things, too – I didn’t know “teddy bears” were named after him (but he didn’t like being called “Teddy”, either).
January 1, 2014
Theodore Roosevelt once said, "we regard Attic temples and Roman triumphal arches and Gothic cathedrals as of priceless value. But we are, as a whole, still in that low state of civilisation where we do not understand that it is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest or a species of bird or mammal."
He was, and remains, without question the most environmentally-friendly, conservation-minded President America has ever had. Whilst he has been known to history largely as a fanatical big-game hunter, that was only one part of the kaleidoscope of his personality. He was an obsessive ornithologist, an author of respected naturalist books, an acknowledged expert nationwide on birds, cougars and wolves. In his early years he was a rancher and deputy sheriff in North Dakota. He lectured on evolution and Darwinism, and happily shunned East Coast Gilded Age society to associate with wolf-catchers, cowboys, rangers, trackers and backwoodsmen. He considered himself a born-again Westerner.
In his eight years in the White House, Roosevelt created 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reservations, 4 national game preserves, 6 national parks, and 18 national monuments, saving for the nation and posterity such wonders as the Grand Canyon, Utah's Rainbow Bridge, the Petrified Forest of Arizona, the Pueblo cliff dwellings of Colorado. He was a founder of the New York Zoological Society, the organisation behind the Bronx Zoo, and a driving force behind the programme to breed bison in captivity and reintroduce them to the Great Plains.
It's quite a resume when one considers that somewhere amongst all this, Roosevelt did a few things like, I don't know, fought in the Spanish-American War, brokered peace between Russia and Japan, went against the trusts and industrialists of the Gilded Age, created the Panama Canal, passed important legislation such as the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drugs Act. Oh, and inspired the teddy bear.
At nearly 1,000 pages Brinkley goes into Roosevelt's environmental achievements and interests in truly exhaustive detail, and it's testament to authorial skill that this book never flags or fails. I could have done with as much detail on Roosevelt's post-presidential activities as there was on his years before the White House, but that's a minor criticism of what will no doubt be the definitive account of Roosevelt as naturalist and environmentalist.
He was, and remains, without question the most environmentally-friendly, conservation-minded President America has ever had. Whilst he has been known to history largely as a fanatical big-game hunter, that was only one part of the kaleidoscope of his personality. He was an obsessive ornithologist, an author of respected naturalist books, an acknowledged expert nationwide on birds, cougars and wolves. In his early years he was a rancher and deputy sheriff in North Dakota. He lectured on evolution and Darwinism, and happily shunned East Coast Gilded Age society to associate with wolf-catchers, cowboys, rangers, trackers and backwoodsmen. He considered himself a born-again Westerner.
In his eight years in the White House, Roosevelt created 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reservations, 4 national game preserves, 6 national parks, and 18 national monuments, saving for the nation and posterity such wonders as the Grand Canyon, Utah's Rainbow Bridge, the Petrified Forest of Arizona, the Pueblo cliff dwellings of Colorado. He was a founder of the New York Zoological Society, the organisation behind the Bronx Zoo, and a driving force behind the programme to breed bison in captivity and reintroduce them to the Great Plains.
It's quite a resume when one considers that somewhere amongst all this, Roosevelt did a few things like, I don't know, fought in the Spanish-American War, brokered peace between Russia and Japan, went against the trusts and industrialists of the Gilded Age, created the Panama Canal, passed important legislation such as the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drugs Act. Oh, and inspired the teddy bear.
At nearly 1,000 pages Brinkley goes into Roosevelt's environmental achievements and interests in truly exhaustive detail, and it's testament to authorial skill that this book never flags or fails. I could have done with as much detail on Roosevelt's post-presidential activities as there was on his years before the White House, but that's a minor criticism of what will no doubt be the definitive account of Roosevelt as naturalist and environmentalist.
October 4, 2012
This biography of Theodore Roosevelt is an in depth focus on the conservationist. Douglas Brinkley, the author, does an excellent job of capturing Roosevelt's passion for the outdoors which started at a young age. Even the reader of other biographies will learn a lot, including the influence of his "black sheep" paternal uncle who was an early pioneer in the "outdoor" movement, Roosevelt's involvement in the beginnings of the Boone and Crocket club, Field and Stream magazine and his outdoor adventures
The book also examines the policy aspects. The controversy of Roosevelt's work was shown in the sections of the murders of two game wardens appointed by Roosevelt to protect birds in newly designated wilderness sanctuaries and the political backlash against protected land designations that he advocated while others were President and those he did during his Presidency.
Some of the best sections dealt with Roosevelt the conservationist and Roosevelt the hunter, sometimes complimentary to each other and sometimes contradictory--his quotes of Mark Twain's devastating attacks on Roosevelt after a miserable bear hunt in the south were matched by John Muir's respect for Roosevelt's passion and good works while disapproving of his hunting policies
Brinkley was not as strong when he strayed away from the conservationist focus, for example he incorrectly wrote that James Blaine was the subject of the "Rum, Romanism and Rum" speech while it was actually Grover Cleveland who benefited from the backlash against the speech. But all in all, this was a well written fascinating read of a great time in our history
The book also examines the policy aspects. The controversy of Roosevelt's work was shown in the sections of the murders of two game wardens appointed by Roosevelt to protect birds in newly designated wilderness sanctuaries and the political backlash against protected land designations that he advocated while others were President and those he did during his Presidency.
Some of the best sections dealt with Roosevelt the conservationist and Roosevelt the hunter, sometimes complimentary to each other and sometimes contradictory--his quotes of Mark Twain's devastating attacks on Roosevelt after a miserable bear hunt in the south were matched by John Muir's respect for Roosevelt's passion and good works while disapproving of his hunting policies
Brinkley was not as strong when he strayed away from the conservationist focus, for example he incorrectly wrote that James Blaine was the subject of the "Rum, Romanism and Rum" speech while it was actually Grover Cleveland who benefited from the backlash against the speech. But all in all, this was a well written fascinating read of a great time in our history
February 28, 2020
After over a month (!!) of reading, I can say I know A LOT more about Theodore Roosevelt's efforts to conserve and preserve so much of the national parks, forests, and monuments I take for granted.
Brinkley has, once again, produced a tome (817 pages of actual text + more than 100 pages of appendices, notes, and index) on an unbeknownst-to-me eco-hero of the United States. I enjoyed every page of it learning the stories behind some of my favorite parks. I especially enjoyed the detailed discussion of Roosevelt's visit to the towns of Santa Cruz and Felton CA. This is literally my backyard!
The story starts with Roosevelt's youth and the events that likely formed his passion for wildlife and the forests of the United States and ends when he leaves the office of the President. Along the way, I also learned about many of the other wilderness warriors who supported Roosevelt in his preservation efforts. Brinkley's eye for detail and a great story shine when he tells the history of many of the other colorful folks who were instrumental in introducing, inspiring and/or maintaining many national parks/forests/monuments many of us visit yearly.
This book is an investment of time that pays off with a deeper and broader understanding and appreciation for each and every national park/monument/forest/refuge. I'll never wonder why Theodore Roosevelt is memorialized on Mount Rushmore again.
Brinkley has, once again, produced a tome (817 pages of actual text + more than 100 pages of appendices, notes, and index) on an unbeknownst-to-me eco-hero of the United States. I enjoyed every page of it learning the stories behind some of my favorite parks. I especially enjoyed the detailed discussion of Roosevelt's visit to the towns of Santa Cruz and Felton CA. This is literally my backyard!
The story starts with Roosevelt's youth and the events that likely formed his passion for wildlife and the forests of the United States and ends when he leaves the office of the President. Along the way, I also learned about many of the other wilderness warriors who supported Roosevelt in his preservation efforts. Brinkley's eye for detail and a great story shine when he tells the history of many of the other colorful folks who were instrumental in introducing, inspiring and/or maintaining many national parks/forests/monuments many of us visit yearly.
This book is an investment of time that pays off with a deeper and broader understanding and appreciation for each and every national park/monument/forest/refuge. I'll never wonder why Theodore Roosevelt is memorialized on Mount Rushmore again.
October 3, 2009
Drawing on unpublished research on Theodore Roosevelt and the rise of conservationism in America -- no small task, considering the many biographies on Roosevelt published over the last decade -- Brinkley offers a weighty tome that, while shedding new insight into the former president's environmentalism, tends to overwhelm with detail and, according to some critics, underwhelm with substance. Over two decades and more than two dozen books, Brinkley has mastered the art of balancing scholarship and research with readability. In Wilderness Warrior, though, the author's affinity for his subject and the vastness of the literature on Roosevelt get in the way of a message that might have been made clearer with some prudent cutting. This is an excerpt of a review published in Bookmarks magazine.
August 30, 2021
Brinkley’s biography of Theodore Roosevelt from a conservationist a preservationist standpoint is wide-ranging, detailed, and exhaustive, and includes a look at the influences on TR from childhood on that helped make him the greatest environmentalist president. Brinkley doesn’t gloss over TR’s love of hunting, but does show how TR tried stay within a “sporting” ethos and also rationalized some of kills as collecting scientific specimens for museums. For all of Roosevelt’s faults, we owe him a huge debt for all of the wild places and creatures that he helped save, far outweighing the trophy heads he collected. My enjoyment of this book was diminished by the large number of typos and factual errors—most that I noticed weren’t detrimental to the overall quality of the study and its conclusions, but they were distracting and made me wonder if there were other errors that I didn’t catch (for instance, Brinkley states that two of TR’s heroes, Lincoln and Darwin, were both born on February 22, 1803—they were born on the same day, but it was February 12, 1809). Maybe some of the errors resulted from converting the book to Kindle format. My nitpicking aside, this was an enlightening and inspiring read—can’t wait to visit some more National Parks.
August 9, 2023
4.5 Stars, rounded down.
The only thing keeping this from being a 5 Star is simply it’s length. This easily could have been broken up into 2-3 volumes. With that being said, the story being told was incredibly entertaining and informative.
I learned a lot about Roosevelt from an angle different than anything I’ve seen. The author was able to take well known stories about TD’s life and experience and put them into the perspective of nature. This book also taught me about the formation of National Parks, how they were formed and preserved, and who/what called them home. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning about the many animals he observed and hunted, as well as the formation of the Bronx Zoo as a Buffalo breeding ground.
I have to disagree with some other reviews on here that it needs to be focused on Roosevelt and only Roosevelt. The stories of other figureheads and environmentalists at the time are important in giving context to the stories being told here.
I would recommend this to any history buff, fan of Theodore Roosevelt, or nature.
The only thing keeping this from being a 5 Star is simply it’s length. This easily could have been broken up into 2-3 volumes. With that being said, the story being told was incredibly entertaining and informative.
I learned a lot about Roosevelt from an angle different than anything I’ve seen. The author was able to take well known stories about TD’s life and experience and put them into the perspective of nature. This book also taught me about the formation of National Parks, how they were formed and preserved, and who/what called them home. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning about the many animals he observed and hunted, as well as the formation of the Bronx Zoo as a Buffalo breeding ground.
I have to disagree with some other reviews on here that it needs to be focused on Roosevelt and only Roosevelt. The stories of other figureheads and environmentalists at the time are important in giving context to the stories being told here.
I would recommend this to any history buff, fan of Theodore Roosevelt, or nature.
July 13, 2022
A really excellent biography of Theodore Roosevelt from the perspective of his being a naturalist, conservationist, expansionist, and hunter. Delves deeply into the side of Roosevelt that is often only mentioned in passing in other biographies. And the book includes a huge array of colleagues, friends, and sympathizers who help Roosevelt become the first American president to spend tremendous amounts of time (and money) to ensure that the flora and fauna of the U. S. remained for future generations to enjoy.
I highly recommend this read for anyone interested in the environment, nature or animals, or those intrigued by the different National Monuments, Forests, Game Reserves, and National Parks. All thanks to Theodore Roosevelt.
I highly recommend this read for anyone interested in the environment, nature or animals, or those intrigued by the different National Monuments, Forests, Game Reserves, and National Parks. All thanks to Theodore Roosevelt.
May 6, 2024
This history of Theodore Roosevelt focuses on his impact on the environmental preservation of land, forests, and areas of unique beauty in the United States. He was very adept at using his presidential power to thwart attempts by loggers, miners and other private interests in creating public lands. The writing was clear and compelling in this incredibly well researched book. This was a great read!
December 30, 2010
The word "epic" is an epidemic. It's replacing "really cool" in the way we describe things like ice cream and fresh produce. So, when I ascribe the word to this book, I want to emphasize that it is not an accidental attribution. Rather, it is a sincere description of the book's scope. It's epic--phenomenally epic.
So epic that--when I finish books like these--I begin walking around with a chip on my shoulder. People tell me that's how they feel after reading "Gone With the Wind." Investing ample time and energy learning about any one subject (fictive or not) is deserving of praise. So forgive me if, after I finished, I half-expected people on the streets to see me, stop what they were doing and applaud my epic accomplishment.
I originally invested the time because TR is fascinating. Politically and personally, he's a bundle of anomalies. For example, he's the original and most powerful defender of nature conservation and yet spent lots of time hunting, killing and stuffing endangered species for his personal collection of trophies. Additionally, he believed in the commonplaces of mankind (championing civil rights 60 years ahead of the political curve), yet vocally denied worthiness-status to Native and African Americans. He cried out against the emasculation of society, yet was a dear and loving person--wholeheartedly embracing the emotional and aesthetic power of love and beauty (something rarely seen in the political sphere).
It did not take Brinkley a thousand pages to convey these strange and counterintuitive biographies. Rather, it took five. The rest of the time I was just overwhelmed by the sheer breadth of his research. At every turn (e.g., quoting and impacting boyhood journals--discerning and interpreting grammar/spelling mistakes), Brinkley stresses TR's connection to nature. Every incident of natural merit receives attention. I would rarely call it overdescriptive, however. To me, the painstaking diligence seems necessary. Certainly I could have done without the myriad bird lists (every 40 pages or so, Brinkley fills a page with the names of birds TR saw at such-and-such a place), but those bird lists really made me FEEL the lull of ornothology. I don't want to study it, but there's a power in hearing that a president could name every taxonomically accepted species of bird. He could hear a call and instantly know its origin--genus and specie.
Honestly, I couldn't help but compare him to--and, consequently, find myself a little disappointed in--the modern presidency. It seems people only speak in ideals anymore--Carter and Reagan had their morals, the rest had hope, change, profits and deficits. Is it weird to just want a president who can speak authoritatively about birds?
Now that would really be epic.
So epic that--when I finish books like these--I begin walking around with a chip on my shoulder. People tell me that's how they feel after reading "Gone With the Wind." Investing ample time and energy learning about any one subject (fictive or not) is deserving of praise. So forgive me if, after I finished, I half-expected people on the streets to see me, stop what they were doing and applaud my epic accomplishment.
I originally invested the time because TR is fascinating. Politically and personally, he's a bundle of anomalies. For example, he's the original and most powerful defender of nature conservation and yet spent lots of time hunting, killing and stuffing endangered species for his personal collection of trophies. Additionally, he believed in the commonplaces of mankind (championing civil rights 60 years ahead of the political curve), yet vocally denied worthiness-status to Native and African Americans. He cried out against the emasculation of society, yet was a dear and loving person--wholeheartedly embracing the emotional and aesthetic power of love and beauty (something rarely seen in the political sphere).
It did not take Brinkley a thousand pages to convey these strange and counterintuitive biographies. Rather, it took five. The rest of the time I was just overwhelmed by the sheer breadth of his research. At every turn (e.g., quoting and impacting boyhood journals--discerning and interpreting grammar/spelling mistakes), Brinkley stresses TR's connection to nature. Every incident of natural merit receives attention. I would rarely call it overdescriptive, however. To me, the painstaking diligence seems necessary. Certainly I could have done without the myriad bird lists (every 40 pages or so, Brinkley fills a page with the names of birds TR saw at such-and-such a place), but those bird lists really made me FEEL the lull of ornothology. I don't want to study it, but there's a power in hearing that a president could name every taxonomically accepted species of bird. He could hear a call and instantly know its origin--genus and specie.
Honestly, I couldn't help but compare him to--and, consequently, find myself a little disappointed in--the modern presidency. It seems people only speak in ideals anymore--Carter and Reagan had their morals, the rest had hope, change, profits and deficits. Is it weird to just want a president who can speak authoritatively about birds?
Now that would really be epic.
December 18, 2009
Whew-I have finally reached the conclusion of this 950 page (small font, no less!!) behemoth that articulates, at times in excruciating detail, Teddy Roosevelt and his agenda towards conservation. A useful history that ignores everything else in TR’s complex, productive life, this book focuses exclusively on his love of wilderness and his eventual role in shaping environmental policy. The book really excels in its first half, which addresses TR’s pre-presidential life. Here we really appreciate TR as the budding naturalist; the staunch Darwinist who was destined for a career in science. In really effective prose, one can fully appreciate TR not as the progressive stalwart we remember him, but as the premiere naturalist author that initially brought him fame and national acclaim. It is during TRs presidency that the book becomes overly pedantic and highly tedious. One can only go into so much detail regarding TR’s passion for birding before frustration sets in. Also never satisfyingly answered is the paradoxical aspect of TR as a devoted conservationist and an overly blood-thirsty hunter. The author is a TR apologist in this regard; I’ve long since believed it is a relevant contradiction worth exploring. I mean, even as he was blasting irresponsible hunting practices, the dude went to great lengths to shoot everything that moved. (And I think every hunt he ever went on prior to leaving office is given space here.) Still, and importantly, the modern conservation, even preservation, movement owes great allegiance to his progressive environmental policies. There is great coverage of early important environmental crusaders – John Muir, Gilford Pinchot – as well. Still, this book would have been excellent at half its present length (still over 450 pages, mind you) and still achieved its same objective. Nevertheless, given the substantial literature that exists on Roosevelt, this is an important contribution, expanding on the fascinating complexity of this important president and allowing ample space for the beginnings and growth of an important movement.
(Oh, and there were typos in this 1st edition that pissed me off. Gettysburg occurred on July 1, 1873? Who missed that?
(Oh, and there were typos in this 1st edition that pissed me off. Gettysburg occurred on July 1, 1873? Who missed that?
May 31, 2018
Douglas Brinkley has a well-earned reputation of being among the top of the mainstream U.S. historian class, and Wilderness Warrior only further cements this distinction.
It is strange to consider that Roosevelt, born and raised in urban New York, came to so strongly identify with the West. In fact, looking at a map of the federal bird reservations, national forests, and national parks created by Roosevelt reveals that the vast majority were west-far west-of the Mississippi River.
His love affair with the West, shown not only through these land set-asides as president and his trips to Elkhorn Ranch in the Dakota Territory, is perhaps demonstrated by his own words on this region of the U.S.: "The man of the West throughout the successive stages of Western growth has been of the two or three most typical figures. Indeed I am tempted to say the most typical figure in no American life; and no man can really understand our country, and appreciate what it really is and what it promises, unless he has the fullest and closest sympathy with the ideals and aspirations of the West."
The sheer magnitude of what T.R. set aside for future generations to enjoy is incredible to fathom; over two hundred million acres of land were set aside during his time in office.
T.R.'s bird watching tramps throughout the northeastern U.S. were detailed early on in the book, and it is from documentation of this that readers receive an early glimpse of not only his passion for nature (T.R.'s admiration for Darwin and the truths it revealed about the natural world were proof enough of this), but for his desire to be engaging in hands-on, outdoors study of it. His relationship with Forest and Stream editor (and Audubon Society founder) George Grinnell provided ample insight into Roosevelt's love for birds and the outdoors; Grinnell's passion for for conservation also proved vital in shaping T.R.'s future efforts.
From Key West and the Tortugas Keys off the coast of Florida to Klamath Lake and Three Arch Rocks in Oregon, T.R. wasted no effort in ensuring numerous areas were set aside as federal bird reserves. He was a proud participant in what was dubbed the "citizen bird" movement of the early twentieth century. Respected ornithologists such as Frank Chapman and George Grinnell were left grinning with the devotion Roosevelt showed to their cause.
Roosevelt would formulate a philosophy of living known as the "strenuous life," and this was a lifestyle he would relentlessly promote throughout his life. There is no better example of his devotion to this than his hunting trips to the Badlands and his volunteering to lead the Rough Riders into combat in Cuba. To say he was a man of action would be an understatement. His leadership in the Boone and Crockett Club is also examined by Brinkley in this detailed work, providing further accounts that he was more than just a big talker when it came to where his priorities lay. Whether he was hiking, hunting predators, or riding horseback in rough territory, T.R. never failed to adhere to this statement of purpose.
The bonds T.R. formed with numerous conservationists and naturalists, and the efforts many of them pushed in tandem, form the backbone of Wilderness Warrior. Gifford Pinchot stands head and shoulders above the rest of these men; he would be an invaluable Forest Service Chief during T.R.'s presidency. And yet the stalwart Pinchot was only one cog in Roosevelt's conservation machine. Iowa Congressman John Lacey-a man from a state who had little incentive to push conservation and yet did so despite this-was one of the key congressional allies in the newly burgeoning environmental movement. His friendship with noted naturalists John Muir and John Burroughs was another key linchpin in his never-quenched thirst to find wildlife in need of federal protection.
Roosevelt's willingness to infuriate the timber and fossil fuel interests by placing land off limits was a constant occurrence in the book; he certainly made many enemies among corporate big wigs even when not taking the trust busting he engaged in into account. Preserving vast tracts of land from despoliation so as to be appreciated by generations yet unborn was T.R.'s guiding principle when it came to what his critics derided as "land grabs" and "socialism." The foresight and leadership Teddy Roosevelt showed when it came to appreciating the fact that resources are not limitless--at a time when many Americans still thought they were--is the aspect of Wilderness Warrior that provides the most impact. This is an especially pertinent subject today, as the lessening emphasis the country's political leadership is placing on clean air, clean water, and environmental sustainability and stewardship only makes it more vital that everyday citizens take notice of the country's legacy in this department.
Brinkley delves into Roosevelt's stretching of the letter of the 1906 Antiquities Act. He essentially used it as a end around an intransigent Congress when it came to designating land of "historical value." His designation of Devils Tower in Wyoming as a "national monument" was an example of the trickery he used to get his way when it came to preventing exploitation of natural wonders. The manner in which he went about creating the Jewel Cave National Monument as president showed the criticism he was willing to put up with if he felt he was doing the right thing by preserving antiquities for future generations.
There is a fascinating segment on the book accounting an executive order spree Roosevelt went on during his last year in office. July 1, 1908 saw T.R. signing his name as many times as he could on designations of numerous national forests-forty-five in a single day! These were nicknamed the Crowded Hour Reserves, as this moment joined the charge up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War-his initial "crowded hour"-as one of the ones he was most proud of.
It seems almost strange to read about the lengths T.R. went to in order to preserve the Grand Canyon from those who were willing to despoil it for commercial purposes. That this was controversial a century ago shows the growth in environmental awareness in the ensuing one hundred years.
Wilderness Warrior could have used a better editing job. There are a slew of spelling and grammatical errors; the fault for this certainly does not primarily lie with Brinkley. More thorough editing would have prevented this, as well as some of the repetitiveness in the text, from marring and otherwise excellent work.
This is a classic for anyone interested in the foundational aspects of the movement toward national parks and an appreciation in America of the scarcity of the resources God placed on the planet. Despite his many flaws, the reader is left with an admiration for the way the twenty-sixth president pushed for a movement that prior to his administration had been, at best, on the back burner. That this provided him little net political benefit, and possibly cost him votes among many residents in the West, is a testament to his devotion to an important cause.
-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado
It is strange to consider that Roosevelt, born and raised in urban New York, came to so strongly identify with the West. In fact, looking at a map of the federal bird reservations, national forests, and national parks created by Roosevelt reveals that the vast majority were west-far west-of the Mississippi River.
His love affair with the West, shown not only through these land set-asides as president and his trips to Elkhorn Ranch in the Dakota Territory, is perhaps demonstrated by his own words on this region of the U.S.: "The man of the West throughout the successive stages of Western growth has been of the two or three most typical figures. Indeed I am tempted to say the most typical figure in no American life; and no man can really understand our country, and appreciate what it really is and what it promises, unless he has the fullest and closest sympathy with the ideals and aspirations of the West."
The sheer magnitude of what T.R. set aside for future generations to enjoy is incredible to fathom; over two hundred million acres of land were set aside during his time in office.
T.R.'s bird watching tramps throughout the northeastern U.S. were detailed early on in the book, and it is from documentation of this that readers receive an early glimpse of not only his passion for nature (T.R.'s admiration for Darwin and the truths it revealed about the natural world were proof enough of this), but for his desire to be engaging in hands-on, outdoors study of it. His relationship with Forest and Stream editor (and Audubon Society founder) George Grinnell provided ample insight into Roosevelt's love for birds and the outdoors; Grinnell's passion for for conservation also proved vital in shaping T.R.'s future efforts.
From Key West and the Tortugas Keys off the coast of Florida to Klamath Lake and Three Arch Rocks in Oregon, T.R. wasted no effort in ensuring numerous areas were set aside as federal bird reserves. He was a proud participant in what was dubbed the "citizen bird" movement of the early twentieth century. Respected ornithologists such as Frank Chapman and George Grinnell were left grinning with the devotion Roosevelt showed to their cause.
Roosevelt would formulate a philosophy of living known as the "strenuous life," and this was a lifestyle he would relentlessly promote throughout his life. There is no better example of his devotion to this than his hunting trips to the Badlands and his volunteering to lead the Rough Riders into combat in Cuba. To say he was a man of action would be an understatement. His leadership in the Boone and Crockett Club is also examined by Brinkley in this detailed work, providing further accounts that he was more than just a big talker when it came to where his priorities lay. Whether he was hiking, hunting predators, or riding horseback in rough territory, T.R. never failed to adhere to this statement of purpose.
The bonds T.R. formed with numerous conservationists and naturalists, and the efforts many of them pushed in tandem, form the backbone of Wilderness Warrior. Gifford Pinchot stands head and shoulders above the rest of these men; he would be an invaluable Forest Service Chief during T.R.'s presidency. And yet the stalwart Pinchot was only one cog in Roosevelt's conservation machine. Iowa Congressman John Lacey-a man from a state who had little incentive to push conservation and yet did so despite this-was one of the key congressional allies in the newly burgeoning environmental movement. His friendship with noted naturalists John Muir and John Burroughs was another key linchpin in his never-quenched thirst to find wildlife in need of federal protection.
Roosevelt's willingness to infuriate the timber and fossil fuel interests by placing land off limits was a constant occurrence in the book; he certainly made many enemies among corporate big wigs even when not taking the trust busting he engaged in into account. Preserving vast tracts of land from despoliation so as to be appreciated by generations yet unborn was T.R.'s guiding principle when it came to what his critics derided as "land grabs" and "socialism." The foresight and leadership Teddy Roosevelt showed when it came to appreciating the fact that resources are not limitless--at a time when many Americans still thought they were--is the aspect of Wilderness Warrior that provides the most impact. This is an especially pertinent subject today, as the lessening emphasis the country's political leadership is placing on clean air, clean water, and environmental sustainability and stewardship only makes it more vital that everyday citizens take notice of the country's legacy in this department.
Brinkley delves into Roosevelt's stretching of the letter of the 1906 Antiquities Act. He essentially used it as a end around an intransigent Congress when it came to designating land of "historical value." His designation of Devils Tower in Wyoming as a "national monument" was an example of the trickery he used to get his way when it came to preventing exploitation of natural wonders. The manner in which he went about creating the Jewel Cave National Monument as president showed the criticism he was willing to put up with if he felt he was doing the right thing by preserving antiquities for future generations.
There is a fascinating segment on the book accounting an executive order spree Roosevelt went on during his last year in office. July 1, 1908 saw T.R. signing his name as many times as he could on designations of numerous national forests-forty-five in a single day! These were nicknamed the Crowded Hour Reserves, as this moment joined the charge up San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War-his initial "crowded hour"-as one of the ones he was most proud of.
It seems almost strange to read about the lengths T.R. went to in order to preserve the Grand Canyon from those who were willing to despoil it for commercial purposes. That this was controversial a century ago shows the growth in environmental awareness in the ensuing one hundred years.
Wilderness Warrior could have used a better editing job. There are a slew of spelling and grammatical errors; the fault for this certainly does not primarily lie with Brinkley. More thorough editing would have prevented this, as well as some of the repetitiveness in the text, from marring and otherwise excellent work.
This is a classic for anyone interested in the foundational aspects of the movement toward national parks and an appreciation in America of the scarcity of the resources God placed on the planet. Despite his many flaws, the reader is left with an admiration for the way the twenty-sixth president pushed for a movement that prior to his administration had been, at best, on the back burner. That this provided him little net political benefit, and possibly cost him votes among many residents in the West, is a testament to his devotion to an important cause.
-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado
May 1, 2018
I just finished the book. I began reading it on my Kobo but finally bought a paperback because I was highlighting so much and it would be easier on paper. I also thought it would be easier to refer back to parts of it in paper. I had no idea it was over 800 pages long when I started, or that might have scared me off, not that I haven't read that big of a book before, but I might not have chosen to devote so much time to a book on TR and the conservation movement--I'm 69 years old and have to choose carefully how I spend my time. I was halfway through the book before I looked to see how many pages were in it and then bought the paperback. Bottomline: I'm really glad I stuck with it! It is an incredible book, all about TR's love of nature and wildlife and what he did about it and how much America owes him for his accomplishments, especially during the 7 years he was president. I have read few books I enjoyed more and have been strongly affected by it. As a child I dreamed of visiting Yellowstone and Yosemite, and was finally able to visit Yellowstone, Niagra Falls, and the Grand Canyon. But I had no idea what was behind our having these treasures as national parks. I also learned about places I had never heard of--like Wind Cave and Crater Lake. My wife and I now have a trip planned this summer to Redwoods National Park and Crater Lake. We have such an awesomely beautiful country, and I want to see as much of it as possible before I die. I was pleased to learn that the author Douglas Brinkley teaches history at Rice University where I went to college (I was before his time and studied anthropology, so I didn't know of him). I've always admired TR, and this is at least the third book about him I've read (Morris and McCullough), but this is certainly the most enjoyable. I highly recommend it.
March 13, 2017
This book is a 817 page educational experience that both enlightened me as well as raised some emotions. What struck me most about this great man was how he was the right man, in the right place, at the right time. I doubt if we will ever see such a perfect fit again. His innate talents and temperament led him to engage in many roles -a highly regarded ornithologist, a cattle rancher out west, a military officer, a published author, a progressive Republican politician, a U.S. president, a hunter, a conservationist, a preservationist to list a few. He was also a leader and a fighter for what he considered to be national treasures-forests, birds, ancient ruins, natural wonders, large mammals. As President he fought against and defeated many corporations who then, as now, sought to use our natural resources to enhance their own profitability. Before reading this book I had not realized that the war we, as a people, are waging against our environment, goes back at least to the late 1800's. We all owe this man a huge debt for not only starting a national conservation/preservation movement, but for saving over 300 million acres of America.
At the conclusion of the book though I had two questions. Why was so little done (FL and MI being the smaller exceptions) to offer the same protections to natural resources in the east as was done in the west? T.R. loved the Maine woods for example, yet no national game preserves, bird reservations, forests or parks were created there. Also what has happened to all the sites T.R. set aside for future generations to use and enjoy? Are they still functioning as intended ? It is one thing to create, it is another to maintain.
The book was a long, but profitable read. Oh how I wish he were alive today and running for the presidency.
At the conclusion of the book though I had two questions. Why was so little done (FL and MI being the smaller exceptions) to offer the same protections to natural resources in the east as was done in the west? T.R. loved the Maine woods for example, yet no national game preserves, bird reservations, forests or parks were created there. Also what has happened to all the sites T.R. set aside for future generations to use and enjoy? Are they still functioning as intended ? It is one thing to create, it is another to maintain.
The book was a long, but profitable read. Oh how I wish he were alive today and running for the presidency.
March 18, 2018
Fascinating man who made the biggest impact on conservation of anyone I can think except perhaps John Muir. The book would have been more impactful at about half the length. There was so much detail that was mildly interesting but not curated well, in my opinion.
Loved reading about his big game hunting habit and that was somewhat contradictory at times but also important to his impact in animal and habitat conservation. The chapter on the invention of the teddy bear toy (based on a cartoonist's depiction of his bear hunting trip) was one of my favorite, as well as the frequent insights into how he spent his time (thousands of letters per year, passion for taxidermy and collecting, adopting quirky pets, disappearing for weeks at a time on adventures in the west (while vice president!)). Enjoyed how he loved things that others didn't, or didn't yet have the foresight to love, like the North Dakota Badlands, the Alaskan wilderness, the Grand Canyon, bird sanctuaries and his blistering criticism of those who exploited these things and places. He represents many of the best traits of America, humanity and masculinity, while also demonstrating a few of the polluted traits as well.
I still want to read more about Roosevelt because he is so obviously human and impulsive right next to his ambition, morality, eloquence and big actions.
Minus half a star for the 200+ times the narrative pronounced Oregon as "Ore-e-GONE." Brutal.
Loved reading about his big game hunting habit and that was somewhat contradictory at times but also important to his impact in animal and habitat conservation. The chapter on the invention of the teddy bear toy (based on a cartoonist's depiction of his bear hunting trip) was one of my favorite, as well as the frequent insights into how he spent his time (thousands of letters per year, passion for taxidermy and collecting, adopting quirky pets, disappearing for weeks at a time on adventures in the west (while vice president!)). Enjoyed how he loved things that others didn't, or didn't yet have the foresight to love, like the North Dakota Badlands, the Alaskan wilderness, the Grand Canyon, bird sanctuaries and his blistering criticism of those who exploited these things and places. He represents many of the best traits of America, humanity and masculinity, while also demonstrating a few of the polluted traits as well.
I still want to read more about Roosevelt because he is so obviously human and impulsive right next to his ambition, morality, eloquence and big actions.
Minus half a star for the 200+ times the narrative pronounced Oregon as "Ore-e-GONE." Brutal.
June 29, 2010
Lucy was kind enough to give me this book for my last birthday. It is a tome but reads quickly. Brinkley goes into a great deal of detail about TR's love of nature and his efforts to preserve the wilderness of America from the repaciousness of speculators and land-hungry businessmen of the early 20th century. Some may feel there is too much detail devoted to TR's classification of birds, etc. but the writing is good and detail is interspersed with anecdotes and stories. Brinkley never does succeed in explaining how TR could be so concerned with preservation yet go out shooting right and left. He tries, but there probably is no good justification for it. TR was a product of his times and men considered hunting a manly thing to do and TR was, if nothing else, a many man. If he hadn't convinced himself to be that, he might never have emerged from his asthmatic childhood of weakness and frailty.
Read
July 29, 2011This book really is too long--there is a lot of good information in here, and there were chapters that I really enjoyed, but there is much overlap from section to section, where we go back over the same material and the same people, but from a slightly different angle, and I think a more gifted storyteller would have been able to weave the tale a little tighter to come up with say a 500 page biography instead of a 900 page one. I read it on the kindle, so usually picked it up on trips where I was at or near running out of paper books, so read it in 50-75 page chunks. I think it made it more bearable for me, but maybe if I had read it one day on the beach it would have seemed better told. Roosevelt really was a fairly complicated man, who did tremendous things for conservation in this country at a time when it seems it was possible to do things that were sweeping in scope, and we we him.
April 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this book but couldn't give it a 5 for the following reasons:
-It was just too long. Many sections repeated info without much added benefit. With that said, it was still a relatively quick read all things considered. It never felt like a slog.
-I found that he jumped around a lot in time. The book is roughly chronological, but there were numerous places where he jumped forward or backwards with just a reference to a year. Who can keep a lifetime of dates straight?!
-The lists of birds! We get it, he loved birds. We just don't need to know every one he saw wherever he went.
I don't want to sound picky. This was an amazingly researched and well written book. I look forward to reading Brinkley's other book about TR's cousin FDR & the CCC.
There is no question that TR set aside more land for future generations than any other person in history. **fingers crossed** Future leaders don't mess with his legacy.
-It was just too long. Many sections repeated info without much added benefit. With that said, it was still a relatively quick read all things considered. It never felt like a slog.
-I found that he jumped around a lot in time. The book is roughly chronological, but there were numerous places where he jumped forward or backwards with just a reference to a year. Who can keep a lifetime of dates straight?!
-The lists of birds! We get it, he loved birds. We just don't need to know every one he saw wherever he went.
I don't want to sound picky. This was an amazingly researched and well written book. I look forward to reading Brinkley's other book about TR's cousin FDR & the CCC.
There is no question that TR set aside more land for future generations than any other person in history. **fingers crossed** Future leaders don't mess with his legacy.
May 26, 2016
Quite a read at 817 pages but well worth it. I knew something of Theodore Roosevelt having read The Bully Pulpit. This books focuses on his environmental record (I had never heard of the roseate spoonbill before) and with the possible exception of Hetch Hetchy, his record is not only prodigious but spotless. Suffice to say President Obama has nothing on TR with regards to Executive Orders. Well written and researched, the author is obviously a huge fan of TR. After reading this book, I count myself one as well. At one point in the book, the author discusses YIC (with regards to Montana railway companies) but I could not discern what 'YIC' stands for.
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