T.R.

The Last Romantic

By: H. W. Brands

Narrated by: Matt Kugler

Length: 35 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author, an acclaimed biography of President Teddy Roosevelt

Lauded as "a rip-roaring life" (Wall Street Journal), T.R. is a magisterial biography of Theodore Roosevelt by best-selling author H. W. Brands. In his time, there was no more popular national figure than Roosevelt. It was not just the energy he brought to every political office he held or his unshakable moral convictions that made him so popular, or even his status as a bona fide war hero. Most important, Theodore Roosevelt was loved by the people because this scion of a privileged New York family loved America and Americans.

And yet, according to Brands, if we look at the private Roosevelt without blinders, we see a man whose great public strengths hid enormous personal deficiencies; he was uncompromising, self-involved, and a highly imperfect brother, husband, and father.

Beautifully written, and powerfully moved by its subject, T.R. is the classic biography of one of America's greatest and most complex leaders.

©2019 H. W. Brands (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Brands makes the case that Roosevelt believed in heroes and measured himself against giants of history and literature.... He puts them in vivid context with often wry narration and an impressive depth of historical research." (USA Today)

"Roosevelt's life in Mr. Brands' able hands is a demonstration of the remarkable power of the human will. Roosevelt literally created the character he lived out, and then lived within it until he finally became his creation." (Washington Post)

"Brands' narrative is lucid, fast-moving and unblended by hero-worship. In a single volume he has packed Roosevelt's 60 years of ambition, adventure, expediency, achievement, and, finally, frustration at having peaked too soon." (Publishers Weekly)

Very good read

TR: The Last Romantic

HW Brands

I cannot compare it to Edmund Morris’ trio of books on President Roosevelt, however HW Brands did a very good job capturing the Colonel.

Having read numerous books about TR, it was good to see Mr. Brands find fresh information and perspectives on events. I got to learn some things.

Mr. Brands does not appear to be a fervent admirer, nor is he unduly critical. Which makes for an interesting read.

Great book on the life of TR

I knew nothing about TR and now feel as though I could accurately retell his life story. What an amazing man.

it was Glorious!! Bully! H. W. Brand's you Rule!

love this. TR. a Fave. THIS BOOK DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! 👏 😍 👌 🙌 ❤ Glorious. Bully

Excellent

I have a great understanding-maybe a complete understanding of TR. HW .. I'm on to the next one, Regan.

Untouchably Incredible!

Literally one of the most incredible accounts of one of the most incredible men in our nation's history and written by an incredible author whom I've grown very fond of his works. TR's list of accomplishments are beyond the seas in which cover this Earth. He has inspired me to pursue all things I want to in this life and he has also inspired me to be a good public servant and help others and to take good care of nature! He once said "You can either rust out or wear out, I choose to wear out!" I love TR's take on life. His ambition and accomplishments as a servant to the world should be taught more frequently in our school systems!
This book is my 2nd of his I've read. his first being "Dreams of Eldorado " which was just as phenomenal! next ill be reading his book "The Last Campaign Sherman, Geronimo, and The War for America."

Too much opinion

Brands injects too much opinion into this biography. Roosevelt was certainly a complex figure in American history with both positive and negative attributes; however, I felt throughout the book Brands spent too much effort highlighting the unfavorable qualities. In my opinion, it should be the goal of the biographer to write a balanced profile and allow the reader to come to his or her own conclusions. While I think the book is an enjoyable read at times, Brands severely failed in that regard.

BORING!

This book was super boring but I must admit that I just listened to Boone which was much more exciting!

Bland and broad but good

I feel Teddy did a lot and while the book covers most it skipped over a lot like his
Trustbusting for instance. Not recommended but Teddy himself is interesting enough to carry

Brands obviously has an anti-TR bias

Couldn't finish the book. From the day TR hit pre-adolescence, Brands had nothing good to say, including his opinion about Roosevelt not being particularly smart. Sorry, Brands is a writer with an agenda. Skip this and read the three-volume Morris series. This book is a loser.