Colonel Roosevelt

By: Edmund Morris

Narrated by: Mark Deakins

Length: 24 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller.

A New York Times notable book.

This biography by Edmund Morris, the Pulitzer Prize - and National Book Award - winning author of The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Rex, marks the completion of a trilogy sure to stand as definitive.

Of all our great presidents, Theodore Roosevelt is the only one whose greatness increased out of office. What other president has written 40 books, hunted lions, founded a third political party, survived an assassin’s bullet, and explored an unknown river longer than the Rhine?

Packed with more adventure, variety, drama, humor, and tragedy than a big novel, yet documented down to the smallest fact, this masterwork recounts the last decade of perhaps the most amazing life in American history.

©2010 Edmund Morris; 2010 Random House Audio (P)2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Hair-raising...awe-inspiring...a worthy close to a trilogy sure to be regarded as one of the best studies not just of any president, but of any American.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

"One of those rare works that is both definitive for the period it covers and fascinating to read for sheer entertainment." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Colonel Roosevelt is compelling reading, and [Edmund] Morris is a brilliant biographer who practices his art at the highest level...A moving, beautifully rendered account.” (Fred Kaplan, The Washington Post)

Ending story of "the most interesting American"

Morrison details TR with color & facts. Deakins brings him to life, great voice actor.

Good wrap up

This was a good finish to the trilogy. Wrapped up with good detail. Satisfied with coverage after his death.

great conclusion to a great series!

A fair view of a impossible person, a must! If it feels hartwrenching, your right!

Incredible!

Spectacular conclusion to a spectacular 3 volume biography! Highly recommended. Depth, scholarship, and an excellent reading performance.

Enlightening history of an important and influential American.

Excellent narration. Really engaging and compelling story. It reveals all sides of a complex and powerful personality. Well done.

EPIC Conclusion To A Truly EPIC Life!

Edmund Morris is a gift and offered us a gift in this treasured series. Theodore Roosevelt is arguably the architect of modern America and the consummate Profile In Courage. His life is also illustrative that we all live an immutable law of sowing and reaping in both good and hard ways. Roosevelt was bold and his boldness was rewarded. But Teddy was also a warrior and one of the greatest ironies of his life is that his youngest son, Quentin, was soon killed in the war that Roosevelt pushed then President Woodrow Wilson to fight. Read ALL 3 of Morris works.

Strong finish to the trilogy.

Strong finish to the trilogy. Roosevelt was an amazing man who lead an extraordinary life.

An interesting and complicated man

I have read all three of these biographies about Theodore Roosevelt by Burke from his birth to his death and the one thing I would say about him is he was an interesting and complicated man. I think I enjoyed the second half of this one the most. His connection to World War I and the preparedness discussion was very interesting to me. These three books by Morris are very long and they could definitely be shorter. but overall I would recommend it.

Great man. Great story.

A great man with a great story. The author's research was well rounded and the narrator did a wonderful job.

More than a epilogue to his life

This final volume in the three volume series has as much energy and exciting TR stories as the first (and betters the second). With a level of unchecked righteousness not seen before, we follow the ex President on a progressive party creation which leads to his separation from the Republicans and many old friends. These friends were part of the check or grounding which ensured TR didn't act too foolishly but with them gone this story because at times embarrassing or self aggrandising. Two legal trials one as plaintiff and one as defendant. A South American worthy of its own book (which I see it has). And a champion of preparedness in pre War America. So much is a well captured in this book. One event is perhaps too foreshadowed in the latter chapters but it perhaps is fair in doing so as it is linked to his death.

Morris quotes an incident with TR son and a White House garden hose, which provides a summary of his approach in life. He believed the action (even the wrong one) was better than letting your opponent get the upper hand. Despite the length of these volumes I'd like to read more - perhaps his own writing which was impressive in volume and breadth - about TR.

Mark Deakins was an amazing performer of this biography far better than volume two's actor. The energy he gave really brought the book alive.