The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

Along with Chernow's book about Washington, this is one of my favorite presidential reads. Such a fascinating rise.

I loved this book!! The narrator was exceptional, especially when using the "voice" of Theodore Roosevelt to quote him. The subject of the biography was a remarkable man, although his slaughter of animals was disturbing to me. There is much that I did not know about him, and he was almost super-human! An altogether fascinating read from start to finish.

Great book, great narrator. Though, do be warned: this is T.R.s life leading up to his presidency ONLY, it does NOT cover his presidency itself. For that, try Theodore Rex by the same guy who wrote this one (Edmund Morris)

Great book Narrator did a great job as well.

Great book. It was very easy to follow and very descriptive. After listening to it, I feel like I thoroughly know Theodore.

One of the most invigorating and informative accounts of the "Pre-presidential" live of teddy.

A pretty good book. The narrator did a good job. I can't wait to read the second book in the trilogy.

I sent this one back before finishing. I'm not sure why everyone is rating this so highly because I thought that the narration was terrible. I was incredibly bored throughout and I love Theodore Roosevelt. He is my favorite president! Incredibly slow and painful.

Includes details left out of many other biographies. Just the thing for TR enthusiasts.

While a good biography, I found the narrator to be a tad more theatrical for my tastes. This biography glossed over some important details, IMHO though. For this period in Roosevelt's life, I much preferred "Mornings On Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life, and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore", by David McCullough. Every book he's ever done has been detailed, thorough, and an excellent read. For a biography of this period of Roosevelt's life, I'd recommend that, ofer this one by Morris. I still look forward to Part 2, Theodore Rex, by Morris though.

Excellent book, that ought to be required reading for every red-blooded American! Roosevelt is an inspiration for us all, as a leader, an American, and a president. The narration is excellent, and the writing never boring.

This book was a good read. It piqued my interest in one of our greatest leaders. I am eager to learn more of this man in his early years.

It very intriguing to learn some of the things that have made the men who have run our country.

This book was great and left me wanting more. Time flew by while I listened to it.

Some stuff I really didn't care about - but a good picture of what Teddy was about

Interesting content, superbly read. My only complaint is that it didn't keep on going...

Dazzling! This book is well written and expertly performed. It seems incredible that we will never have a president so well rounded ever again. "Teddy" was a first class sportsman, intellectual, writer, and politician. We will never look upon his like again...

This book provides a balanced and detailed narrative on the early days of this American icon. This is a good book for anyone interested in American history.

This is the first half of the Pulitzer winning biography, you see "Teddy", small and weakly, benefit from his misfortunes. Of the Chosen Class (sons and daughters of the Rich) he stands apart -- and his Naturalism (love of nature) truly comes out. By age 19 he's found his voice, become quite outgoing, and his intellect separates him from the drolls of the well-educated, well-to-do, status-quo peers at harvard. While this book is fairly dry - most biographies are - you gain a true sense of his very nature and what makes him distinct from his contemporaries. The United States should thank our very stars that Roosevelt eventually rose to power. His first hand experience in the Bad Lands let to modern day Governmental conservatism and the National Park system (addressed in Theodore Rex). These 4 discs take you up to and beyond the birth of his daughter - and how his life was forever changed after that event (you'll understand when you listen). My only comment would be that the narrator is somewhat droll in his reading. During several brief passages you hear him drift off into various accents - which he does superbly. Why they chose the droll voice as the basis for narration I cannot say. So far, an excellent 5-star read.

I bit disappointing for the story to end when it does -- on the eve of TR becoming president. This book is well written and read with an entertaining zeal. The focus is on TR's personal life; surprisingly, his politics take a back stage in this work. It is a history of TR-as-celebrity, leaving TR-as-politician to be explored, apparently, in other works. If you are looking for the story of TR's personal struggles and rise to power, you will not be disappointed in this book. If you want a political history of TR's presidency, you will need to look elsewhere.