Received this Uncorrected Proof through a GoodReads giveaway.

Was very surprised by this book. Most of my interest in history centers on ancient history with some interest in the Civil War and WWII. To me the Spanish-American war has always been a brief chapter in American history the charge up San Juan Hill with the political implications, the explosion sinking the Maine, Dewey at Manila Bay and ultimately the end of the Spanish colonial empire. Most history books cover it in a couple of pages at the most and it almost seems as an after thought.

This book changed, and corrected, my prospective on Roosevelt and the battle for San Juan Hill. In a well written narrative it detailed the formation of the Rough Riders and Roosevelt's efforts to bring them into the fray at Cuba. It personalized many of the participants and gave an understanding of the very adverse circumstances faced by the American forces. For being such a brief conflict it was one America was not prepared for as neither the logistics or command structure was adequate for the task at hand. It required men like Roosevelt to come to the forefront and do what was necessary for their country and for the men servicing under them. While Roosevelt's oversize ego plays a part in the story it isn't solely about him. The lack of adequate supplies (most often inadequate rations), poor inept commanding officers, lack of planning, poor understanding of the environment, tropical diseases (malaria) and generally tropical conditions the troops were neither trained for or properly equipped. To say it was hell they were sent to would be an appropriate description of what they were dropped into. In many respects the battle was the best-managed aspect of the entire campaign and Roosevelt should be given his due for his critical part in it.

It is a well written story and offered new understanding of those who were there and fought in it. It is very well documented and drew on numerous and diverse resources to provide an exceptionally well document view of the times, the place and more importantly of the men with many brief individual glimses of the participants.

Would recommend this to most history buffs. ( )

This is a nonfiction account of Theodore Roosevelt, focusing mainly on his leadership of the Rough Riders regiment during the Spanish American War in 1898. It also discusses the other members of the Rough Riders, and how Roosevelt's part in the war spiked his political climb, eventually leading to his presidency.

Mark Lee Gardner shows in this book his excruciating attention to detail and skillful delivery of a well-written work. You do not need to be a fan of Roosevelt to appreciate this book. The book does shed a favorable light on the man, and certain aspects of the book are rather mainstream, but in general the author is simply piecing together a story by putting together as many first-hand accounts as possible, and in this he does a splendid job. Rather than boring the reading with heaps of names, places and dates, he weaves it all into an intriguing (and very non-boring) tale. Four stars, or perhaps four and a half. ( )

Highly readable account about America's almost forgotten war against Spain in the last years of the 19th century. In 1898, afte the warship USS Maine mysteriously blew up in Havana harbour, the US went to war against Spain, seeking to divest it of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Phillippines. Among the regiments raised was an unlikely mix of Westerners and Ivy-Leaguers from the East, which became known as the Rough Riders, whose deputy commander was Theodore Roosevelt, ambitious former NY police commissioner. The book covers the regiment's training, their difficult journey to Florid and the incompetence of the US army organisation that led to the regiment's horses being left behind and most of their supplies. Once the Rough Riders got to Cuba, they found apart from the Spanish soldiers and snipers, their main oppoenents were lack of supplies and disease. Despite this, they distinguished themselves in the capture of Spanish strongpoints at San Juan and Santiago, suffering severe casualties. The centrepiece of their story is the famed charge up San Juan Hill, but in the book if you blink you will miss it, as it only occupies about 5 pages. The book covers the story of individual soldiers, many of whom died or were severely wounded, as well as the famed future President, who came through without a scratch. The story conculdes with the Rough Rider's return to adulation in New York, where Roosevelt encountered petty jealously from political opponents and in particular the Secretary of War, A.R. Hiss, who refused the Rough Riders the march their supporters wanted. The fates of the various soldiers after the regiment was disbanded is covered in detaile some prospered, some didn't, a few ended up in lives of crimes. The book ends with a ceremony in 2001, where President Clinton awarded Roosevelt the Medal of Honor he had been denied in 1898, making him the only President to win it. Fascinating story, well-told. ( )

I know little about the Spanish-American War and I found this fine book to be an excellent source of information about a small part of it. The book is well-written and and well-documented. Many nuggets of information on persons, places, and events are nicely assembled by the author, resulting in an enjoyable read.

Numerous photos and illustrations are included which enhance the reading experience. An index is also included. ( )