In my mind, Theodore Roosevelt was, without question, the most amazing American this nation has ever produced. He was a genetic freak, who encompassed strengths normally found on the opposite end of the spectrum:
He was an intellectual, who was people person.
In his lifetime, Roosevelt wrote over thirty-five books and well over 100, 000 letters. During the course of his life, he read thousands of books, which included complex works on German warfare-in German and ancient Greek classics-in the original Greek.
Yet, TR cultivated friendships with people, which transcended economic and social strata and lasted a lifetime. Because of his family’s social position and travels, Roosevelt formed friendships with members of Europe’s upper class, dating from his youth. He was equally at home in the old west, having lived in the Dakota badlands during the DEADWOOD era. Cowboys from that time remained his friends until death.
He was a brilliant natural scientist, who loved poetry and literature.
Beginning in boyhood, Roosevelt engaged in the complex analysis of animals in the natural world. His area of advanced expertise was ornithology—birds. During his presidency, the Smithsonian Institution’s museum of natural history would send specimens over for his identification. After his presidency, Roosevelt lectured on natural science in some of the finest universities in Europe.
Roosevelt read virtually every classic work of literature in the English language. He also read some of the great works in other languages including French, German, Latin, and Greek. His love of poetry was so great; he could recite, decades later, complete poems, including those in foreign languages, which he had only read once.
TR freely engaged in the world of the complex—working through slow, methodical analysis. Yet, he was equally in his heart, a romantic.
He was a warrior, who won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Roosevelt was famous for leading the charge up San Juan Hill in the Spanish American war. For this, he became a war hero and legend.
As president, Roosevelt brokered a settlement ending the war in 1905 between Japan and Russia. His work precluded an event that, though not as catastrophic as World War I, would have wreaked havoc on Europe and Asia, had it continued.
He was an astounding success in various careers—political, military, writing…--yet, he was a marvelous family man.
By any standard, Roosevelt was a success in his work: President, military leader, and writer of what is still today the definitive work on the naval war of 1812 (at age 23!).
However, Roosevelt enjoyed a rapturous marriage with his wife, Edith. By every account, his six children adored him and he spent much time with them.
One can see why his children loved him so much in the published work, THEODORE ROOSEVELT’S LETTERS TO HIS CHILDREN. I own this work on my iPhone’s Kindle App. These letters are replete with Roosevelt’s love, affection, and personality. What amazes me, though, are the details he would include in his letters, describing his experiences. Some go on for pages.
The only other president I have seen even remotely close to the giftedness of Roosevelt was Bill Clinton. The difference, as one would suspect, was the moral center. The only way a man can survive this level of talent and giftedness and avoid self-destruction is to cultivate and maintain a strong moral center.
I finished Edmund Morris’ COLONEL ROOSEVELT last week. In doing so, I could not help but feel a twinge of sadness. For over thirty years now, I have had a new work to anticipate, with eagerness, from the pen of Edmund Morris. That part of my life is now over.
I rank the three volumes of Morris’ trilogy in the following order:
1) THE RISE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. This volume captured the pouring of the foundation for what would be a colossal career. Morris captures the spirit and energy of young Roosevelt. The narrative flows like an adventure series—a true page-turner. This is the greatest biographical volume I have ever read.
2) COLONEL ROOSEVELT. This was a close call with volume two, THEODORE REX. I concede the edge to the final volume because Morris captures better than any other biographer I read of this period (including Kathleen Dalton, H. W. Brands, and Patricia O’Toole—all produced good work) Roosevelt’s slow, yet perceptible descent into an early old age. Due to injuries, exotic fevers, and heart disease, the apostle of the strenuous life is an old man by age 55. Morris particularly captures well the descent of Roosevelt’s spirit. It is sad for the reader to observe Roosevelt’s slow, emotional surrender, culminating with the tragic death of his youngest son, Quentin, in World War I. At the end of his life, Roosevelt knew the presidency was likely his in 1920. Yet, the honor held no meaning for him. His energy, vitality, and joy were depleted.
3) THEODORE REX. I completed this second volume for the third time last week—via an audio work. Morris, in this volume, produced the most compelling narrative of a president’s years in office I have ever read—and I have read some good ones. Roosevelt single-handedly changed the presidency at just the right time in our nation’s history. Only forty-two when he assumed office, Roosevelt became our youngest president. Reading this volume, the reader has fun joining Roosevelt on his journey. The unique item Morris brings to the table in his work is the nuance that lies in Roosevelt’s character. He is far from the “shoot-from-the-hip” caricature. Rather, he is shown as a circumspect leader always aware of the importance of balance. Having become a great fan of Aristotle’s concept of virtue over the past few years, I cannot help but note Roosevelt’s innate wisdom in judging that virtue lies within the middle of two extremes. For example, charity is that virtue found between enabling a person, in need, too much, and destroying him by offering too little. Morris does the best work of any biographer in relating Roosevelt’s endless pursuit of balance.
I possess in my library a READER'S DIGEST condensed novel on the life of Theodore Roosevelt called TR. The author, Noel B. Gerson, was inspired by his father. In the preface, the author wrote there was only one time he ever saw his father cry.
Gerson's father was the city editor of a Chicago daily paper, and the toughest man his son ever knew. When the author was a boy, his father returned home from work one day--and burst into tears.
Why? Why would this tough, dependable man break into tears? Before the boy could ask, his father blurted out the answer.
"Theodore Roosevelt is dead."
"Theodore Roosevelt is dead."
Five Things I Think I Think (with a nod to Peter King for this idea)
1. I got to share with my two oldest, one of the great scary movies, on Saturday night—THE CHANGLING. With a marvelous cast headed by George C. Scott and Melvyn Douglas, this was a classy movie—something you do not always see in this genre. Classic scary movie moment: Scott’s character, living alone in the huge, historic old house, being awakened every morning at 6:00 by the pounding sound that literally causes the house to vibrate. This movie was made in 1979, and I have seen it through the years at least 6 or 7 times.
2. Yes, I did enjoy the football season. Now, I am enjoying the beginning of a six-month break.
3. I’ve got to admit, I have a hankering to watch Matthew Perry’s new series, MR. SUNSHINE. For some reason, the previews strike me as funny. I’m going to hold off, though. The nice thing about this day and age, I can always watch it on HULU or something if the urge strikes later.
4. Happy Valentine’s Day. I hope your wishes were fulfilled. I’m grateful mine were.
5. I hope Judy thinks her wishes were. I subscribe to the Tommy Nelson theory—I attempt to supply romance long before Valentine’s Day. I do write her a poem or love letter—delivered on Valentine’s Day. She always seems to appreciate those.
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