Theodore Rex

De: Edmund Morris

Narrado por: Harry Chase

The most eagerly awaited presidential biography in years, Theodore Rex is a sequel to Edmund Morris’s classic bestseller The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. It begins by following the new President (still the youngest in American history) as he comes down from Mount Marcy, New York, to take his emergency oath of office in Buffalo, one hundred years ago.

Theodore Rex, full of cinematic detail, moves with the exhilarating pace of a novel, yet it rides on a granite base of scholarship. TR’s own voice is constantly heard, as the President was a gifted letter writer and raconteur. Also heard are the many witticisms, sometimes mocking, yet always affectionate, of such Roosevelt intimates as Henry Adams, John Hay, and Elihu Root. (“Theodore is never sober,” said Adams, “only he is drunk with himself and not with rum.”)

Interspersed with many stories of Rooseveltian triumphs are some bitter episodes-notably a devastating lynching-that remind us of America’s deep prejudices and fears. Theodore Rex does not attempt to justify TR’s notorious action following the Brownsville Incident of 1906-his worst mistake as President-but neither does this resolutely honest biography indulge in the easy wisdom of hindsight. It is written throughout in real time, reflecting the world as TR saw it. By the final chapter, as the great “Teddy” prepares to quit the White House in 1909, it will be a hard-hearted reader who does not share the sentiment of Henry Adams: “The old house will seem dull and sad when my Theodore has gone.”

©2001 Edmund Morris (P)2001 Random House Audio, a Division of Random House Inc.

Teddy

Loved hearing this, I am student of history, and enjoy learning of country's rich history!

Well worth the listening.

Theodore Rex satisfied most of my criteria for a solidly good read/listen. It was entertaining. It put into context and perspective historical facts I had floating around after all those history classes. It peaked my interest in a new period of American and world history and gave me a focus for further reading.

I agree with previous reviewers who felt that some topics were covered thinly but also agree that nearly 8 years of a presidency is quite a lot to cover in a single volume. Discussions of the Panama Canal were thin indeed.

I recommend Theodore Rex to all who enjoy history, politics and biography. It definitely improved my drive time.

Now I Know Why Teddy Is On Mt. Rushmore

I read the abridged version of the second volume in Edmund Morris' trilogy biography of Teddy Roosevelt, which hit the high points of his two terms in office. This is an interesting read for anyone catching up on turn of the century history especially because several of Roosevelt's policies are still relevant today.

Excellent narration, definitely abridged

Went with the abridged version since the narration for the unabridged was so poorly rated across the board. Harry Chase did a remarkable job here, incredibly captivating! It definitely felt abridged as it moved along at a pretty quick pace.

Read the Prequel First

Loren wanted more before the presidency. I suggest "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt", by the same author, which covers Teddy's life from birth to the beginning of his presidency. It is excellent.

Highly informative

Glad to have chosen the abridged version, after The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt. Well researched & entertaining. Definitely recommend.

Great biography

If the other reviewer noticed, this is the second book of a planned trilogy, and Audible has the book they really wanted, about his time before the presidency.

This was a really good biography. I don't know much about Teddy, but I'm sure there were some things left out due to just needing to cover nearly 8 years in a few hours, some sections just felt rushed. But all in all, I greatly appreciated learning about the President and all of the long term benefits he provided this country.

Great listen

After listening to The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt I was super primed to get immediately into Theodore Rex. But within the first half-hour I was becoming very aggravated with the reader. He seemed to put way to much emphasis on every word, every sentence. As if each was THE most important he would ever utter. I contemplated quitting and just reading the book myself, but hung in there. And that is the advice I give to those contemplating listening to Rex. After an hour or so he calms down and does a good job through the rest of the book. He is particularly good as changing up his voice when reading quotes.

If you liked The Rise you will probably be disappointed at how short Rex feels. It covers only one-fifth or so of the time that The Rise does, and it is action packed, so it flys by. I'm delaying listening to book three just because I don't want it to be over yet! I can only imagine how the American people who loved President Roosevelt must have felt when he left the Presidency. This great book gave me a taste of that. I highly recommend it.

Overview of presidency

Includes information about his diplomatic and military accomplishments during his unelected an elected presidential terms

Great info

A great story about a great man. It’s was shameful removing his statue from the met entrance. They should have replaced it with a single statue of Teddy Rex. Or cut away the other two. Either way, history can not be erased. Watch out, they’re coming for Jesus next.