If you didn't appreciate the covers of this book before you read it, you will by the end. Theodore Roosevelt's life story, examined wonderfully by Michael Cooper, reads like a great work of fiction. As a politician,, he had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. This streak of success is a testament to his character. He lived a life like no other President before or after. Imagine a 59 year old former President aspiring to rally 200,000 civilians to fight by his side in WWI, only to be stopped by his rival Woodrow Wilson.
I wrote down phrases and quotes that I found amusing while I read the book. I regret not checking the book's source notes before I read the book. It contained the sources for the quotes. This is an incredible resource and could tell you a lot about the author's through his choices. The bibliography only has 20 sources but the author was able to include over a hundred quotes that added a lot of substance to the story. An index was included and honestly should be mandatory in a book that is almost 200 pages long.
I enjoyed reading this book that highlight an American that took the reins of the country during the beginning of the 20 century. In 7 1/2 years, Teddy showed us how to, "speak softly and carry and big stick". I thank him for his wisdom.
The book is able to tell an excellent story. I enjoyed reading and learning a few new things about Roosevelt. I was unaware of his relationships with his rivals, such as Presidents Taft and Wilson. He was a cool guy that came from a terrible gene pool that still made 2 great Presidents. I like the book and would recommend it to people with a passive interest in a Teddy Bear. ( )