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Comment on T.R.: The Last Romantic by Richard Quarles

Richard Quarles — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:48:20 +0000

The early years of T.R.’s life are well defined and interesting in this solid biography. However, once T.R becomes President things seem a bit rushed. It’s almost as if the author lost interest in his subject once he entered the White House.

Brands is sympathetic, but even-handed in his assessments of Roosevelt’s’ strengths and faults. One easily accepts Brands premise that much of Roosevelt’s life was spent over-compensating for his early frail health and is as amused as the author clearly is at Roosevelt’s occasional macho antics.

Brands frequently quotes Roosevelt to good effect and provides some historical background. However, I would have liked to see more of a historical overview during T.R.’s two terms in office as President and especially his run for a third term at the head of the “Bull Moose” Progressive Party. This critical period of T.R. (and the Republican Party’s) life does not come across in enough detail or context.

Overall, unless you’re a T.R. buff or a die hard biography fan, I’d give this 800+ page book a pass. Much better to read his truly excellent biography of Ben Franklin, The First American.
Rating: 3 / 5

Comment on T.R.: The Last Romantic by Steven K. Szmutko

Steven K. Szmutko — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 06:01:41 +0000

This book is an engaging, well-crafted study of Teddy Roosevelt. I found the book very pleasant and informative reading. Despite the 800+ pages, it took only a brief time to finish the entire book. The author allows TR to shine through in his own words as well as a generally sparkling narrative.

One fascinating conclusion I drew from the book that TR was a man who became president about 10 years too early, then became an old(er) man with his glory days behind him. The last ten years of his life were spent twisting at windmills, bullying friend and foe alike while attempting to regain the power that he willingly gave up after 1909. Allowing a little bit of political opinion, one wonders if we will see similar behavior by the present White House occupant who also will leave a relatively young man. (Something to think about.)

Nonetheless, the book is a fine testament to TR’s immense talents, ego and passion. TR was a great man, a great president, but not without his flaws.
Rating: 5 / 5

Comment on T.R.: The Last Romantic by J. Remington

J. Remington — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:20:45 +0000

Brands, while writing in robust prose worthy of one of the tragically few renaissance men to inhabit The White House, avoides any real serious critical evaluation of Roosevelt’s policies (certainly when taken in a 21st Century context). Brands also doesn’t truly succeed, in my view, of creating a broader historical context of the world Teddy lived in and how its effects upon us- always a key point in a successful biography.

Those criticisms aside, “The Last Romantic” works as a consitently entertaining and colorful character study. And that may very well have been Brands intention. If so, then he has succeeded marvelously so.

Roosevelt was many,many things: scientist, soldier, rancher, philosopher, statesman, traveller and historian (this is just an abbreviated list) besides a president who put the “conserve” in conservative; and Brands may be his biggest fan. Sharing Brands’ passion for TR going into this book, I had my admiration confirmed.

All in all, this book is highly reccomended not so much as historical scholarship, but rather as a fascinating portrait of a fascinating man.
Rating: 4 / 5