T. R.: The Last Romantic

Excellent 1st book by an author

While there has been so much data written about this subject I'll say just a view words about Brands coverage rather than rehashing the life of T. Roosevelt. I felt Brands approach was very honest. He doesn't give TR a green pass for everything he did. Tough viewpoints are expressed here. For as progressive as TR was he suffered from normal human reactions regarding how he coped with life's realities. There was bitterness throughout his life particulary later. Brands writes this. This book is honest from both sides and I felt unbiased in his style. Many proud Republicans today would be shocked to learn that one of their own did some heavy taxing while in high positions from Gov. of NY and then as President. Aside from being quite an imperialist he could nearly pass as a Democrat today. But then Andrew Jackson, a Democrat, had a bit of expansionism in his blood too.

Brands analysis of writing here focused more on the political than the personal side of his subject. Be prepared for that. In reading this book you will have to stick with it. Brands seems well developed politically speaking when he wrote this book. A year ago I enjoyed his book FDR Traitor to his Class which showed his political sensiblities. It should be noted that the FDR book placed as runner up in last years Pulitzer for history.

Take the time and read Brands TR. He comfortably measures his chapters. They are not too long before changing direction to the next. The book closes well giving a sound balanced review of Roosevelts life. Roosevelt was something else!

Very well written.

Very informative about Roosevelt's whole life.

A Masterpiece

Theodore Roosevelt: The Last Romantic written by H.W. Brands. This book is a collection of information and stories about the public and private man that Theodore Roosevelt was. He collected and researched much of his data on Theodore from the library of congress itself. Brands¿ has written sixteen books and edited four and has published many others. For this work he collected and researched much of his data on Theodore from the library of Congress itself. It was very comprehensive including a back ground on his father¿s upbringing as well as little teddy himself. I consider this book to be one of the best single-volume biographies of Theodore Roosevelt that I have ever read. Written with historical insight creating interestingly new views of the president. Brands amazingly showcases the gallant and contradictory nature of our twenty-sixth president. Presenting a 360-degree view of T.R., Brands gives us new ways to understand the man. He constantly elaborates and clears up that grayness around some aspects of Theodore¿s life. Although Brands does have the irritating habit to over elaborate on some topics, He paints a very detailed picture of our twenty-sixth president. Also, it might have been a little easier to understand if he hadn¿t used words I had to puzzle over to get the whole picture. All in all, I found this book quite enjoyable (if not long winded) and I would recommend it for readers of college level and higher. Anyone especially interested in the history of the United States or in T.R. himself will find this book a veritable treasure trove of information and facts. The sophistication of this writing leads me to warn off any reader who does not particularly care for the heavy handed speech, which Brands uses to deliver this powerful biography on one of our greatest leaders.

brilliant work

a must read

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