The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

By: Edmund Morris

Narrated by: Harry Chase

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time

Described by the Chicago Tribune as "a classic," The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt stands as one of the greatest biographies of our time. The publication of The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt on September 14th, 2001 marks the 100th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt becoming president.

©1979 Edmund Morris (P)2002 Random House Inc., Random House Audio, a Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

• Pulitzer Prize winner, Biography or Autobiography, 1980; American Book Award winner

"A towering biography...a brilliant chronicle." (Time)
"Magnificent...a sweeping narrative of the outward man and a shrewd examination of his character." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Roosevelt surges out of these pages with the force of a physical presence." (The Atlantic Monthly)

Amazing Book!

I loved this book. I learned a lot about TR that I didn't know before. Harry Chase did a fantastic job reading the book. I was never bored while listening. I would throughly recommend this book to anyone. I cant wait to listen to Theodore Rex.

Truly Insightful

I absolutely love this book!! Best read of the year and I already want to read it again.

Goofy narration (and some silly music)

The opening is quite annoying. It’s not what’s written, it’s the performance but not really narration - though it too is about too exaggerated/dramatic.

Thoroughly enjoyable

This biography covers TR from the day he was born to the day he became president. Though I would have prefered an unabridged version, this was so completely enjoyable, informative, and well-read, that I immediately downloaded Theodore Rex to continue the story (and besides, at almost 9 hours, I'm not sure how much abridging was actually done).

The book is largely a series of anecdotes supplemented with commentary from Roosevelt's own letters and those of his contemporaries. It is not a reflection of historians on Roosevelt's impact on either his own time or the past century. The anecdotes show such a consistency of ambition and character throughout his life, that after a while it is almost like hearing news of an old friend ("yeah, that sounds like Teddy, all right"). This is part of the charm of the book and keeps it interesting even though, as one of the most famous figures in American history, much of the overall story is already known to many.

definite biography of the young Roosevelt

Excellent story, well researched, ecxellent read. You cannot help wonder, what would have happened if this extraordinary man had lived today.

a remarkable man.

I enjoyed the part about Cuba especially. The book gives a good insight to a remarkable man's personality.

Interesting and a little bias

I hope if someone writes a book of my life, they are as glowing of all points of my life as Harry Chase is.

Living heroic history - a story for our time.

Compelling while also at times an almost boyish telling of a great American life that has been writ large in our folklore, Morriss choice of language can be forgiven its absolutes in light of Roosevelts own views, manner of living and society of the time. This thoroughly engaging romp appears a fictitious adventure tale yet hinges on the letters and other written history of the day. This scholarship and fun lends real delight in the listen. The wonderful reading at times overwhelms the imagination with a red faced, be-speckled dude shrilling loudly through clenched teeth at the corrupt status quo or standing face to face with a roaring, charging grizzly in Montana. There is subtle poignancy in the telling of the racist views presented in Roosevelts classic work The Winning of the West that keep Morriss narration from bogging down in our withering modern judgment of 1880s American Manifest Destiny. The terrible tragedies that smote Teddy in his early years as well as his almost futile yet fulfilled grasp at experiences of the disappearing West and romanticized warfare prove irresistible in this rendition of a life worth knowing 100 years later. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!!

Entertaining History

Edmund Morris has a knack for making biographies interesting. With someone like Theodore Roosevelt who is such a charismatic figure in our nation's history, he really shines. The descriptions of his trips out west made me want to head to the Dakotas to see the Badlands for myself. I really enjoyed how Morris tied together the political picture and not just the adventures of Roosevelt.
Also, the narration is fantastic, the voice of Roosevelt shines through and was used appropriately throughout the reading.
The last star is missing simply because I really wanted to have the unabridged version.

Excellent piece of history

Rush hour has never been more enjoyable. I am not a history buff, but I found myself very enthusiastic about this book. The book flowed well and was dynamically written. My interest was piqued throughout the book, which is something that does not happen that often with history books. I cannot wait for the second one.