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Old Lion
In one of his most accomplished, compelling novels yet, acclaimed New York Times bestseller Jeff Shaara accomplishes what only the finest historical fiction can do - he brings to life one of the most consequential figures in U.S. history - Theodore Roosevelt - peeling back the many-layered history of the man, and the country he personified.
From the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, from the waning days of the rugged frontier of a young country to the emergence of a modern, industrial nation exerting its power on the world stage, Theodore Roosevelt embodied both the myth and reality of the country he loved and led.
From his upbringing in the rarefied air of New York society of the late 19th century to his time in rough-and-tumble world of the Badlands in the Dakotas, from his rise from political obscurity to Assistant Secretary of the Navy, from national hero as the leader of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War to his accidental rise to the Presidency itself, Roosevelt embodied the complex, often contradictory, image of America itself.
In gripping prose, Shaara tells the story of the man who both defined and created the modern United States.
“ Shaara deftly weaves a growing intensity that explodes on the pages.” – Bookreporter.com on To Wake the Giant .”
From the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century, from the waning days of the rugged frontier of a young country to the emergence of a modern, industrial nation exerting its power on the world stage, Theodore Roosevelt embodied both the myth and reality of the country he loved and led.
From his upbringing in the rarefied air of New York society of the late 19th century to his time in rough-and-tumble world of the Badlands in the Dakotas, from his rise from political obscurity to Assistant Secretary of the Navy, from national hero as the leader of the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War to his accidental rise to the Presidency itself, Roosevelt embodied the complex, often contradictory, image of America itself.
In gripping prose, Shaara tells the story of the man who both defined and created the modern United States.
“ Shaara deftly weaves a growing intensity that explodes on the pages.” – Bookreporter.com on To Wake the Giant .”
496 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 14, 2024
About the author
Jeff Shaara
52 books1,927 followersJEFF SHAARA is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of seventeen novels, including Rise to Rebellion and The Rising Tide, as well as Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure—two novels that complete his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, The Killer Angels. Shaara was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
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April 14, 2023
I am a huge fan of Teddy Roosevelt. And Jeff Shaara helps bring him to life in this historical fiction. The book starts with “Teedie” as a young boy causing apoplexy in the house with his animal specimens left cooling on the same ice as the family’s milk or stored in the laundry cabinet. It moved back and forth through his life, using an interview with his biographer as the plot mechanism. I can’t say it was entirely successful, as those chapters would tend to slow the flow down.
I thought I knew a lot about Roosevelt, but this book gave me greater insight into the thoughts and beliefs that led to his political stances. Despite his privileged background, he was a strong believer in equality between the rich and the working classes. He was a firm believer in the suffragist movement. He wasn’t quite as open about equality of the races but still believed that no individual should be denied the ability to move forward based on their own merits. Listening to TR talk about his political beliefs, it was obvious not much has changed over the last 100+ years and we’re still just fighting a lot of the same old battles.
What impressed me about TR is that he wasn’t fearless. Rather he faced his fears and worked hard to vanquish them. Likewise, he wasn’t so much healthy as determined to overcome his health issues. He didn’t suffer fools or foolish ideas. My favorite part of the book was how he managed in the Spanish American War, getting around idiotic orders.
Roosevelt was a huge personality. Shaara manages to give us a true feeling for the man without making him come off as a cartoon hero. He confronts his mistakes (his Bull Moose run for President), although maybe not in as much detail as I would have liked. His list of accomplishments is mind boggling, whether the number of acres preserved, his Nobel Peace Prize, the laws passed to protect the common man. Truly one of our best presidents ever.
This is my first book by Jeff Shaara, but it won’t be my last.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
I thought I knew a lot about Roosevelt, but this book gave me greater insight into the thoughts and beliefs that led to his political stances. Despite his privileged background, he was a strong believer in equality between the rich and the working classes. He was a firm believer in the suffragist movement. He wasn’t quite as open about equality of the races but still believed that no individual should be denied the ability to move forward based on their own merits. Listening to TR talk about his political beliefs, it was obvious not much has changed over the last 100+ years and we’re still just fighting a lot of the same old battles.
What impressed me about TR is that he wasn’t fearless. Rather he faced his fears and worked hard to vanquish them. Likewise, he wasn’t so much healthy as determined to overcome his health issues. He didn’t suffer fools or foolish ideas. My favorite part of the book was how he managed in the Spanish American War, getting around idiotic orders.
Roosevelt was a huge personality. Shaara manages to give us a true feeling for the man without making him come off as a cartoon hero. He confronts his mistakes (his Bull Moose run for President), although maybe not in as much detail as I would have liked. His list of accomplishments is mind boggling, whether the number of acres preserved, his Nobel Peace Prize, the laws passed to protect the common man. Truly one of our best presidents ever.
This is my first book by Jeff Shaara, but it won’t be my last.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
February 14, 2024
Jeff Shaara has definitely done a “bully” job at researching the life of a person that packed so much into his 60 years of life.
The life of Theodore Roosevelt is inspiring to me in that he never wasted a moment of his life. He was a man of integrity and honesty - he seems to be the kind of guy that wouldn’t ever ask someone to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself.
I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about him.
The life of Theodore Roosevelt is inspiring to me in that he never wasted a moment of his life. He was a man of integrity and honesty - he seems to be the kind of guy that wouldn’t ever ask someone to do something he wasn’t willing to do himself.
I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about him.
May 31, 2023
It is really ambitious trying to capture the life of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. in a single volume. He was not only the vice president and then president of the United States he was also a New York State Assemblyman, New York City Police Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He led the Roughriders in the Spanish American War and was a rancher, conservationist, naturalist and adventurer, among other things. This book covers his personal life too, including his childhood, 2 marriages and children. It just hits the highlights of his fascinating life. He makes everyone else look like a slacker.
The book employs the device of having Roosevelt, nearing his death, being interviewed by a biographer. The device is used sporadically. Sometimes, the biographer would ask a question and Roosevelt would describe an experience, but at other times the story would just proceed chronologically without any apparent input from Roosevelt. I think that if you know nothing about Roosevelt this book might be a good introduction. I prefer the nonfiction accounts that I have read of his time as president and his exploration of the Amazon, and I will probably read more about him. For example, this book made me interested in his time as a Roughrider.
The book employs the device of having Roosevelt, nearing his death, being interviewed by a biographer. The device is used sporadically. Sometimes, the biographer would ask a question and Roosevelt would describe an experience, but at other times the story would just proceed chronologically without any apparent input from Roosevelt. I think that if you know nothing about Roosevelt this book might be a good introduction. I prefer the nonfiction accounts that I have read of his time as president and his exploration of the Amazon, and I will probably read more about him. For example, this book made me interested in his time as a Roughrider.
February 27, 2024
Because of my advanced age, I am subjected annually to something called a Medicare Wellness Interview at which time a young woman on the staff of my general practitioner asks me questions about my physical and emotional well-being. One of the questions always concerns the state of my memory. I always respond that my memory is better than ever because now I can remember things that didn't actually happen.
It turns out that Teddy Roosevelt, as presented by Jeff Shaara in this book, may have been blessed with a similar memory. As president, Shaara's TR is reminiscing about his time as a cattle rancher in North Dakota and thinks, "I love the memories, even if some of those things never really happened." I can understand Teddy's skepticism towards his own memories. Many of them sound like the plots of the TV westerns that were so prevalent on the prime time TV of my youth, and TR comes off as kind of a hyperactive Dudley Do-Right combining unlikely physical prowess with an infallible moral compass.
And therein lies my problem with this book. Although TR was president and did lead troops up San Juan Hill, as well as other real life adventures, it is impossible to tell where history ends and Shaara's artistic license begins. But, they are for the most part good stories that I enjoyed reading. And many of them will stay in my memory, for whatever that's worth.
It turns out that Teddy Roosevelt, as presented by Jeff Shaara in this book, may have been blessed with a similar memory. As president, Shaara's TR is reminiscing about his time as a cattle rancher in North Dakota and thinks, "I love the memories, even if some of those things never really happened." I can understand Teddy's skepticism towards his own memories. Many of them sound like the plots of the TV westerns that were so prevalent on the prime time TV of my youth, and TR comes off as kind of a hyperactive Dudley Do-Right combining unlikely physical prowess with an infallible moral compass.
And therein lies my problem with this book. Although TR was president and did lead troops up San Juan Hill, as well as other real life adventures, it is impossible to tell where history ends and Shaara's artistic license begins. But, they are for the most part good stories that I enjoyed reading. And many of them will stay in my memory, for whatever that's worth.
June 18, 2023
In this historical fiction account of the life and times of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. he is being interviewed by New York Times reporter Hermann Hagedorn in December 1918. Hagedorn is writing his biography of Roosevelt and over the course of several interviews they look back on his life. It is historical fiction and not in depth (480 pages hardcover) but it hits most of the key events in TR's life.
As a boy Teddy was rather sickly, suffering from asthma and often had acute attacks. His father, Theodore Roosevelt Sr., suggested physical activity. Taking his father's advice Teddy developed his love of hiking and nature. This led to his turning his high society home into a museum where he practiced taxidermy. You could never be sure what you might find when you opened the icebox.
Roosevelt led an amazing life. State Assemblyman, rancher in the Badlands, Civil Service Commission, New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Colonel in the Spanish–American War, vice president and of course president. As president he was very active. Some highlights include trust busting, the coal strike of 1902, the Pure Food and Drug Act, conservation, the Panama Canal.
Through interviews conducted by Hagedorn the reader gets Roosevelt's perspective on many of the events in his liffe. Including the South American expedition in 1913 - 1914 where they navigated the RIver of Doubt and Roosevelt almost died.
The chapters where Hagedorn interviews Roosevelt and then novel moves on to that event seem to interupt the flow of the story but overall it was an enjoyable read and added to my knowledge of TR's life. I have read many books about Theodore Roosevelt and am glad to have read this. It added new insight. For readers who are interested in Roosevelt there are many good non-fiction books out there including books by Edmund Morris, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Candice Millard. An amazing man and life.
As a boy Teddy was rather sickly, suffering from asthma and often had acute attacks. His father, Theodore Roosevelt Sr., suggested physical activity. Taking his father's advice Teddy developed his love of hiking and nature. This led to his turning his high society home into a museum where he practiced taxidermy. You could never be sure what you might find when you opened the icebox.
Roosevelt led an amazing life. State Assemblyman, rancher in the Badlands, Civil Service Commission, New York City Police Commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Colonel in the Spanish–American War, vice president and of course president. As president he was very active. Some highlights include trust busting, the coal strike of 1902, the Pure Food and Drug Act, conservation, the Panama Canal.
Through interviews conducted by Hagedorn the reader gets Roosevelt's perspective on many of the events in his liffe. Including the South American expedition in 1913 - 1914 where they navigated the RIver of Doubt and Roosevelt almost died.
The chapters where Hagedorn interviews Roosevelt and then novel moves on to that event seem to interupt the flow of the story but overall it was an enjoyable read and added to my knowledge of TR's life. I have read many books about Theodore Roosevelt and am glad to have read this. It added new insight. For readers who are interested in Roosevelt there are many good non-fiction books out there including books by Edmund Morris, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Candice Millard. An amazing man and life.
July 9, 2023
A great introduction to Theodore Roosevelt, while this isn't a biography, it gives a tantalizing overview of his early years and foray into politics. What a fascinating man, with infectious joy of life! I've had the Edmund Morris trilogy and Candice Millard River of Doubt on my radar for some time; so found this a perfect jumping off point.
April 29, 2023
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Jeff Shaara, and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Having read a number of Jeff Shaara’s historical fiction novels based on various wars, I was surprised to see a biography of Theodore Roosevelt come from him. However, once I got a little deeper into the tome, I could see that Shaara’s powerful writing abilities shone through, illuminating the life and times of one great US President. While the book must be called fictional, it is merely due to the use of character dialogue that gives it thins moniker. Shaara does a fabulous job illustrating the life of Teddy Roosevelt and his various experiences, sure to impress the attentive reader.
Teddy Roosevelt was always a passionate person, who invested his time in many projects. Even in his youth, Roosevelt made strong connections with others and sought to always ask how the world worked, as well as what he could bring to it. Roosevelt used this passion to propel him forward, gaining access to Harvard, where he could study and enrich himself. That being said, he did not stick strictly to the books, choosing to look outside, to nature, to fuel his mind and open new doorways to potential future studies.
Even with his education, Roosevelt was always looking to add to his personal foundation. He headed into the Dakotas, where he helped develop nature preserves and establish a connection with others. Some saw him as a great advocate for the Dakotas, such that he should run for Congress to represent those who lived there. Roosevelt had not yet found his passion for national office, choosing instead to educate himself and those around him. He remained a name on everyone’s lips, which would prove fruitful in the years to come.
When he did take the plunge, Roosevelt served in New York, rallying the people around his ideas and sentiments, in hopes of better shaping the country as it inched towards the 20th century. One detour he took was to help settle the Cuban territory during the Spanish-American War, feeling that it was his duty to protect the small country and ensure its freedom, while also keeping American interests at the top of the pile. He did so effectively and without complaint, feeling that it was his duty to forge onwards and make a difference.
While his ascension to the presidency was a fluke, Roosevelt took on the role effectively and without criticism. He sought to shape America in the very early 20th century in his own image, as a place where people could learn and challenge the rules. While there was certainly blowback for many of his views, Roosevelt never shied away from making the tough choices, all in hopes of making a difference and creating a better America for the next generation.
While politics could be a bloodsport, something Roosevelt tired of quickly, he never lost his spark for discovery and used the post-presidential yers to find new hobbies and discover new adventures that could help him feel satisfied. He used nature as his playground and sought to open his eyes, as well as those of people around him, to see what they could do, rather than waiting for others to take up the task. This enamoured him to many, while it baffled others as well. Whatever people said, Teddy Roosevelt left his mark and will forever be remembered as someone who tried to make America greater for others, something Jeff Shaara makes sure is clearly visible throughout.
Jeff Shaara is one of the great writers of history that I have encountered in my reading life. Choosing to flavour his novels with a fictional angle through dialogue does not lessen the impact of what he has to say or the end result for the reader. His books, this one included, tell of history as pulled from the various tomes that have documented American involvement in all corners of the globe. Shaara uses his passion for storytelling to bring to life those vignettes he feels as worth the reader’s time. While this was not a comprehensive biography, choosing to skip across certain aspects and focus on others, Shaara does a masterful job at illustrating the life and times of Teddy Roosevelt. The characters who emerge, as well as the banter they share with one another, cannot be dismissed and should be noted for all to see. Teddy Roosevelt lived a varied life and his interactions with others proved fruitful, no matter where he was. The book’s progression touches on a number of great parts of the Roosevelt legacy, though does not dive too deeply into any of them. This is a conscious choice Shaara made and I applaud him for it. Short chapters help push the story along and provides the reader with a number of stopping points, or at least moments to regroup before forging onwards. I am eager to see if there will be others branch-offs from those epic war stories, or if this one-off was a treat for readers, before returning to the trenches. I suppose we will have to see.
Kudos, Mr. Shaara, for a great piece of writing that captured my attention.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Having read a number of Jeff Shaara’s historical fiction novels based on various wars, I was surprised to see a biography of Theodore Roosevelt come from him. However, once I got a little deeper into the tome, I could see that Shaara’s powerful writing abilities shone through, illuminating the life and times of one great US President. While the book must be called fictional, it is merely due to the use of character dialogue that gives it thins moniker. Shaara does a fabulous job illustrating the life of Teddy Roosevelt and his various experiences, sure to impress the attentive reader.
Teddy Roosevelt was always a passionate person, who invested his time in many projects. Even in his youth, Roosevelt made strong connections with others and sought to always ask how the world worked, as well as what he could bring to it. Roosevelt used this passion to propel him forward, gaining access to Harvard, where he could study and enrich himself. That being said, he did not stick strictly to the books, choosing to look outside, to nature, to fuel his mind and open new doorways to potential future studies.
Even with his education, Roosevelt was always looking to add to his personal foundation. He headed into the Dakotas, where he helped develop nature preserves and establish a connection with others. Some saw him as a great advocate for the Dakotas, such that he should run for Congress to represent those who lived there. Roosevelt had not yet found his passion for national office, choosing instead to educate himself and those around him. He remained a name on everyone’s lips, which would prove fruitful in the years to come.
When he did take the plunge, Roosevelt served in New York, rallying the people around his ideas and sentiments, in hopes of better shaping the country as it inched towards the 20th century. One detour he took was to help settle the Cuban territory during the Spanish-American War, feeling that it was his duty to protect the small country and ensure its freedom, while also keeping American interests at the top of the pile. He did so effectively and without complaint, feeling that it was his duty to forge onwards and make a difference.
While his ascension to the presidency was a fluke, Roosevelt took on the role effectively and without criticism. He sought to shape America in the very early 20th century in his own image, as a place where people could learn and challenge the rules. While there was certainly blowback for many of his views, Roosevelt never shied away from making the tough choices, all in hopes of making a difference and creating a better America for the next generation.
While politics could be a bloodsport, something Roosevelt tired of quickly, he never lost his spark for discovery and used the post-presidential yers to find new hobbies and discover new adventures that could help him feel satisfied. He used nature as his playground and sought to open his eyes, as well as those of people around him, to see what they could do, rather than waiting for others to take up the task. This enamoured him to many, while it baffled others as well. Whatever people said, Teddy Roosevelt left his mark and will forever be remembered as someone who tried to make America greater for others, something Jeff Shaara makes sure is clearly visible throughout.
Jeff Shaara is one of the great writers of history that I have encountered in my reading life. Choosing to flavour his novels with a fictional angle through dialogue does not lessen the impact of what he has to say or the end result for the reader. His books, this one included, tell of history as pulled from the various tomes that have documented American involvement in all corners of the globe. Shaara uses his passion for storytelling to bring to life those vignettes he feels as worth the reader’s time. While this was not a comprehensive biography, choosing to skip across certain aspects and focus on others, Shaara does a masterful job at illustrating the life and times of Teddy Roosevelt. The characters who emerge, as well as the banter they share with one another, cannot be dismissed and should be noted for all to see. Teddy Roosevelt lived a varied life and his interactions with others proved fruitful, no matter where he was. The book’s progression touches on a number of great parts of the Roosevelt legacy, though does not dive too deeply into any of them. This is a conscious choice Shaara made and I applaud him for it. Short chapters help push the story along and provides the reader with a number of stopping points, or at least moments to regroup before forging onwards. I am eager to see if there will be others branch-offs from those epic war stories, or if this one-off was a treat for readers, before returning to the trenches. I suppose we will have to see.
Kudos, Mr. Shaara, for a great piece of writing that captured my attention.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 16, 2023
If you cross historical fiction with biography
A book recounting the life of Theodore Roosevelt could be one of (at least) two things: a biography (including in that category autobiography -- these exist) or a novel. The subtitle of The Old Lion: A Novel of Theodore Roosevelt makes it clear which of these author Jeff Shaara was aiming for. And his "To the reader" note explains that choice
As a novel The Old Lion is severely handicapped by the constraints the author labors under. Unlike most novelists, Shaara doesn't get to invent a plot or characters. To be sure, Roosevelt himself is as interesting a central character as any novelist could invent, and his life was full of incident. But still, there is little scope for creativity.
As I read, I could not help asking myself, "Why does this book exist?" Why read fiction instead of one of the many excellent biographies? (Even if you don't feel up to to tackling a 3-volume, 2400-page biography, there are many shorter biographies, including some that have been highly praised.) I honestly couldn't come up with a really convincing answer. My disenchantment was confirmed by my feelings upon finishing the book. When I finish a book with a feeling of relief, of satisfaction with a long job completed, I can't call that a really good book.
In summary, The Old Lion is a gentle introduction to one of our greatest presidents. However, there are probably better ways to accomplish that.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advance reader copy of The Old Lion. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Blog review.
A book recounting the life of Theodore Roosevelt could be one of (at least) two things: a biography (including in that category autobiography -- these exist) or a novel. The subtitle of The Old Lion: A Novel of Theodore Roosevelt makes it clear which of these author Jeff Shaara was aiming for. And his "To the reader" note explains that choice
The best way to describe this book is perhaps to describe what it is not. This is not a biography (and there are many), nor is it an academic examination of the man or his political policies (and there are many of those). Consider that the definitive biography of the man, by Edmund Morris, covers three volumes and totals more than 2,400 pages. Morris’s admirable work is essential to anyone seeking the most minute details of Roosevelt’s life. I did not have the means to expand this story into three volumes, nor would I wish to.Fair enough. A novel can go inside the head of a character and tell you the unknowable: what he was thinking and feeling. That purpose, however, has less force for Roosevelt than for most historical figures. Roosevelt was a prolific author and speaker. His thoughts were recorded contemporaneously by many writers, included his first biographer Hermann Hagedorn (who is a character in this novel). Now, of course, one must always doubt that what a person writes and says honestly report his thoughts and feelings. But there is less reason to doubt Roosevelt's honesty than that of most politicians. He was a man of action, actions speak, and what his actions said is for the most part close to what his mouth and pen said.
What I have tried to do is create a story, with Roosevelt as the center point, exploring his life from his point of view, through the events as he creates them, as he marches or sometimes struggles through them. This is a novel because, often, you are in his thoughts, seeing events directly through his eyes. No writer can pretend to know what any character thinks or feels at every moment.
As a novel The Old Lion is severely handicapped by the constraints the author labors under. Unlike most novelists, Shaara doesn't get to invent a plot or characters. To be sure, Roosevelt himself is as interesting a central character as any novelist could invent, and his life was full of incident. But still, there is little scope for creativity.
As I read, I could not help asking myself, "Why does this book exist?" Why read fiction instead of one of the many excellent biographies? (Even if you don't feel up to to tackling a 3-volume, 2400-page biography, there are many shorter biographies, including some that have been highly praised.) I honestly couldn't come up with a really convincing answer. My disenchantment was confirmed by my feelings upon finishing the book. When I finish a book with a feeling of relief, of satisfaction with a long job completed, I can't call that a really good book.
In summary, The Old Lion is a gentle introduction to one of our greatest presidents. However, there are probably better ways to accomplish that.
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advance reader copy of The Old Lion. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Blog review.
May 22, 2023
Jeff Shaara once again demonstrates why he is a best selling author in this account of the life of Theodore Roosevelt. Although identified as fiction due to the use of dialog and the technique of viewing events from Roosevelt’s POV, it is well researched and based in fact. The reader is privvy to a comprehensive view of Roosevelt, his many interests and accomplishments, along with his tenacious personality.
Shaara is a great story teller; there is considerable information to share and it is covered at a good pace. There is so much to Roosevelt’s life besides the political. The reader sees his interest in wild life, cattle ranching in the Badlands, leading the Rough Riders in Cuba in the Spanish American War, exploring a tributary of the Amazon in Brazil. Most notable are the realistic depictions of the west of the late 1800s and the rough and tumble political machinations in the late 1800s-early 1900s. I loved how Shaara captured the rhythm of Roosevelt’s bombastic character, speech and actions.
Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the ARC
September 3, 2023
This was an interesting historical novel about Theodore Roosevelt, told from his own perspective. I think the only other book I have read about him was “River of Doubt”, by Candice Millard. Reading this makes me want to read a thorough biography of this force of nature!
May 28, 2023
I learned a lot more about Teddy Roosevelt from reading this book than I ever knew otherwise. I know that this isn't a "biography" as it is a story about him, but it covers a few of the major phases of his life and reads like a fictional narrative, though it's all researched as accurately as possible. That's how Jeff Shaara does it, and I think he does it the best.
It sounds cliché to say this, but Teddy Roosevelt really is an inspiration. This book connected with me in a way I wasn't expecting. The first part (out of five) named The Young Lion, describes him first as a child, often sickly, and suffering from asthma, and takes you through his time building himself up. He improves his health as he increases his strength and stamina. Then as the story goes on, we see how he becomes an ambitious man, tackling issues head-on, fearlessly. That was my biggest takeaway here: his fearlessness, regardless of the issue, the situation, or the danger. He laughed at his enemies. He knew that amongst the many who loved him, there were just as many who hated him, and he would simply taunt them, never caring what they thought of him. Insults would just roll right off his shoulders.
He hated weakness, and even when he's at his lowest, he pushes forward pretending all is well.
It sounds cliché to say this, but Teddy Roosevelt really is an inspiration. This book connected with me in a way I wasn't expecting. The first part (out of five) named The Young Lion, describes him first as a child, often sickly, and suffering from asthma, and takes you through his time building himself up. He improves his health as he increases his strength and stamina. Then as the story goes on, we see how he becomes an ambitious man, tackling issues head-on, fearlessly. That was my biggest takeaway here: his fearlessness, regardless of the issue, the situation, or the danger. He laughed at his enemies. He knew that amongst the many who loved him, there were just as many who hated him, and he would simply taunt them, never caring what they thought of him. Insults would just roll right off his shoulders.
He hated weakness, and even when he's at his lowest, he pushes forward pretending all is well.
May 27, 2023
Historical fiction for those of us (like me) who need a gentle introduction to the massive life and accomplishments of Theodore Roosevelt; he's a pretty spectacular guy. This novel is a condensed version of his life told by him in a first person narrative. Energetic, brash, full of confidence and bravado TR charged through a life full of privilege, tragedy, politics, conservation and adventure with an unwavering optimism and curiosity that left a lasting historical legacy.
The book is a little uneven and I really enjoyed certain sections (TR's early cattle ranching days in the Badlands -think eastern dandy conquers the wild west- his army career with the Rough Riders including the San Juan Hill battle and his dangerous exploration of the Amazon- his last true adventure. Mr Shaara really shines retelling these episodes.
My 3 takeaways from this book are: (1) I need to read Candice Millard's River of Doubt which has been languishing on my bookshelf for years about that terrible Amazon River exploration. (2) I need to read some additional nonfiction books about TR now that I have an overview. And finally (3) there's a reason TR is carved on Mt Rushmore with Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson.
4 stars
The book is a little uneven and I really enjoyed certain sections (TR's early cattle ranching days in the Badlands -think eastern dandy conquers the wild west- his army career with the Rough Riders including the San Juan Hill battle and his dangerous exploration of the Amazon- his last true adventure. Mr Shaara really shines retelling these episodes.
My 3 takeaways from this book are: (1) I need to read Candice Millard's River of Doubt which has been languishing on my bookshelf for years about that terrible Amazon River exploration. (2) I need to read some additional nonfiction books about TR now that I have an overview. And finally (3) there's a reason TR is carved on Mt Rushmore with Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson.
4 stars
May 26, 2023
When ranking American presidents Theodore Roosevelt is usually positioned among the top five in American history. His life is fascinating as a number of biographies highlight. Probably the most impactful is Edmund Morris’ biographic trilogy among many others. Roosevelt’s life reflects a weak child growing up in New York City who overcame his physical limitations who thrived on being physically fit; a career that included being New York City Police Commissioner, Governor of New York, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and the presidency. Along the way he evolved into a central figure in the Spanish-American War and a committed naturalist and conservationist. After his political career ended his exploits continued as he engaged in sustained travel and continued his writing centering on history and nature. Clearly, a full life.
To tackle Theodore Roosevelt as a subject of historical fiction is quite an undertaking. However, novelist Jeff Shaara was undaunted and committed to the task resulting in his eighteenth historical novel, THE OLD LION: A NOVEL OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Shaara originally made his mark authoring GODS AND GENERALS and THE LAST FULL MEASURE, which are the prequel and sequel to his father’s award winning novel, THE KILLER ANGELS. Among his novels are topics that include the American Revolution, the Mexican War, the Civil War, World War I and II, the Korean War and his latest which he is about to complete on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Choosing Roosevelt as the focus of his novel created a dilemma. How does an author pick and choose areas of concentration in such a rich life when the book is not supposed to be a traditional biography? Shaara has done so with ease and class as he delves into important public and private aspects of the former Rough Rider.
Shaara begins the novel pointing to two important components of Roosevelt’s development, his battle with asthma and his relationship with his father. Both provide the key motivations developing physically as Alfred Adler, an important Neo-Freudian has written that individuals who suffer from a self-perceived inferiority complex strive their entire lives to achieve superiority to overcome it. In Roosevelt’s case his lungs and his father’s encouragement and acting as a role model for his son allowed him to develop “the strenuous life,” which led to his obsession with natural history and his love of nature.
Throughout the book, Shaara formulates a Roosevelt that is never far from his need for adventure and his naturalist education. Shaara picks and chooses very carefully scenes from his protagonist’s life. Each segment is well written, and it allows the reader to develop an intimate relationship with future “Bull Moose.” Shaara does not provide a writer’s note, a la Steve Berry, which would explain his sources and what he considers fact and fiction. Doing so would greatly enhance the reader’s experience and trust in the material presented.
Shaara’s tool in organizing the novel is a series of interviews conducted by New York Times reporter Hermann Hagedorn which took place at the end of December 1918 which allows Roosevelt to look back on his life and fill in gaps that are not fully developed by the author. Shaara uses the interviews as a bridge between the time Roosevelt left for the Dakotas in 1887 and his experiences in the war with Spain in 1898. Shaara focuses on his family and career and his commitment to reform – rooting out corruption as Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The structure of the novel is effective with Hagedorn’s interviews filling in the gaps. At first Roosevelt’s constant battle with asthma and his relationship with his father is stressed. Shaara moves on to a section, perhaps his best dealing with Roosevelt’s commitment to ranching and living in the Dakota Badlands as a vehicle to decompress after the deaths of his mother and his first wife Alice within a twenty-four hour period. The section highlights his relationship with “real” cowboys and cattle ranchers and the difficulties of running a successful cattle business. This is followed with a detailed discussion of events leading to and the actual fighting of the Spanish-American War which turned Roosevelt into a hero and a viable candidate for high office. Shaara moves on to an exploration of Roosevelt’s rise to the Vice Presidency and Presidency once William McKinley is assassinated and implementing a progressive agenda. Shaara’s last section brings the novel to a close. Entitled “The Old Lion,” the author again employs Hagedorn to ferret out of Roosevelt his reactions to The Treaty of Portsmouth, taking the Panama Canal, difficulties with William Howard Taft, escaping assassination, and dangerous sojourns to Africa and the Amazon where he almost perishes.
Shaara��s Roosevelt is a dichotomy. He employs his effusive personality and energy to his legislative agenda as President. His “Square Deal” includes a reform agenda which mostly passes Congress and encompasses issues of improving working conditions, controlling trusts, and race. It is interesting to read his views dealing with non-white Americans and trying to improve their lot, and at the same time engaging in a foreign policy based on Social Darwinism. Foremost, Shaara’s Roosevelt is an egoist which he balances with great empathy for others especially members of his Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War for which a great deal of respect and trust for him by his men is reciprocated.
The book is clearly not a complete biography in novel form as Shaara stresses certain aspects of Roosevelt’s life. The two most important components are his family whose credit goes to his childhood companion Edith Crow who becomes his second wife and his children. Second is his commitment to the environment developing nature preserves, national parks, and conservation. A wonderful book that encompasses this aspect of Roosevelt’s life is historian Douglas Brinkley’s mammoth work; THE WILDERNESS WARRIOR: THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND THE CRUSADE FOR AMERICA.
Against the backdrop of the Wild West, San Juan Hill and the jungles of Brazil, the White House appeared to be less satisfying for Roosevelt. Perhaps this explains why the sections of the novel that follow his presidency read more like straightforward and familiar history. Many of the details and events in this section are nevertheless significant and lively. We see Roosevelt confront racism in Congress after meeting with Booker T. Washington at the White House, we learn how the term “Speak softly and carry a big stick” evolved and we discover the origin of teddy bears. The novel, if that is a correct characterization of Shaara’s work, is thoughtfully written and provides many insights into the most energetic and effusive person who dominated his presidency and the time period in which he lived.
To tackle Theodore Roosevelt as a subject of historical fiction is quite an undertaking. However, novelist Jeff Shaara was undaunted and committed to the task resulting in his eighteenth historical novel, THE OLD LION: A NOVEL OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Shaara originally made his mark authoring GODS AND GENERALS and THE LAST FULL MEASURE, which are the prequel and sequel to his father’s award winning novel, THE KILLER ANGELS. Among his novels are topics that include the American Revolution, the Mexican War, the Civil War, World War I and II, the Korean War and his latest which he is about to complete on the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Choosing Roosevelt as the focus of his novel created a dilemma. How does an author pick and choose areas of concentration in such a rich life when the book is not supposed to be a traditional biography? Shaara has done so with ease and class as he delves into important public and private aspects of the former Rough Rider.
Shaara begins the novel pointing to two important components of Roosevelt’s development, his battle with asthma and his relationship with his father. Both provide the key motivations developing physically as Alfred Adler, an important Neo-Freudian has written that individuals who suffer from a self-perceived inferiority complex strive their entire lives to achieve superiority to overcome it. In Roosevelt’s case his lungs and his father’s encouragement and acting as a role model for his son allowed him to develop “the strenuous life,” which led to his obsession with natural history and his love of nature.
Throughout the book, Shaara formulates a Roosevelt that is never far from his need for adventure and his naturalist education. Shaara picks and chooses very carefully scenes from his protagonist’s life. Each segment is well written, and it allows the reader to develop an intimate relationship with future “Bull Moose.” Shaara does not provide a writer’s note, a la Steve Berry, which would explain his sources and what he considers fact and fiction. Doing so would greatly enhance the reader’s experience and trust in the material presented.
Shaara’s tool in organizing the novel is a series of interviews conducted by New York Times reporter Hermann Hagedorn which took place at the end of December 1918 which allows Roosevelt to look back on his life and fill in gaps that are not fully developed by the author. Shaara uses the interviews as a bridge between the time Roosevelt left for the Dakotas in 1887 and his experiences in the war with Spain in 1898. Shaara focuses on his family and career and his commitment to reform – rooting out corruption as Civil Service Commissioner, New York City Police Commissioner, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
The structure of the novel is effective with Hagedorn’s interviews filling in the gaps. At first Roosevelt’s constant battle with asthma and his relationship with his father is stressed. Shaara moves on to a section, perhaps his best dealing with Roosevelt’s commitment to ranching and living in the Dakota Badlands as a vehicle to decompress after the deaths of his mother and his first wife Alice within a twenty-four hour period. The section highlights his relationship with “real” cowboys and cattle ranchers and the difficulties of running a successful cattle business. This is followed with a detailed discussion of events leading to and the actual fighting of the Spanish-American War which turned Roosevelt into a hero and a viable candidate for high office. Shaara moves on to an exploration of Roosevelt’s rise to the Vice Presidency and Presidency once William McKinley is assassinated and implementing a progressive agenda. Shaara’s last section brings the novel to a close. Entitled “The Old Lion,” the author again employs Hagedorn to ferret out of Roosevelt his reactions to The Treaty of Portsmouth, taking the Panama Canal, difficulties with William Howard Taft, escaping assassination, and dangerous sojourns to Africa and the Amazon where he almost perishes.
Shaara��s Roosevelt is a dichotomy. He employs his effusive personality and energy to his legislative agenda as President. His “Square Deal” includes a reform agenda which mostly passes Congress and encompasses issues of improving working conditions, controlling trusts, and race. It is interesting to read his views dealing with non-white Americans and trying to improve their lot, and at the same time engaging in a foreign policy based on Social Darwinism. Foremost, Shaara’s Roosevelt is an egoist which he balances with great empathy for others especially members of his Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War for which a great deal of respect and trust for him by his men is reciprocated.
The book is clearly not a complete biography in novel form as Shaara stresses certain aspects of Roosevelt’s life. The two most important components are his family whose credit goes to his childhood companion Edith Crow who becomes his second wife and his children. Second is his commitment to the environment developing nature preserves, national parks, and conservation. A wonderful book that encompasses this aspect of Roosevelt’s life is historian Douglas Brinkley’s mammoth work; THE WILDERNESS WARRIOR: THEODORE ROOSEVELT AND THE CRUSADE FOR AMERICA.
Against the backdrop of the Wild West, San Juan Hill and the jungles of Brazil, the White House appeared to be less satisfying for Roosevelt. Perhaps this explains why the sections of the novel that follow his presidency read more like straightforward and familiar history. Many of the details and events in this section are nevertheless significant and lively. We see Roosevelt confront racism in Congress after meeting with Booker T. Washington at the White House, we learn how the term “Speak softly and carry a big stick” evolved and we discover the origin of teddy bears. The novel, if that is a correct characterization of Shaara’s work, is thoughtfully written and provides many insights into the most energetic and effusive person who dominated his presidency and the time period in which he lived.
May 20, 2023
This is a fictionalized biography of Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. The author does a good job of using Roosevelt’s personality to help bring the book to life. He addresses most of the major events of his life, but since it is not a true biography there are several events that receive little or no mention in the novel. Overall it is a good read.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.
July 24, 2023
Jeff Shaara's latest novel is a change of pace from his usual work. Normally, his novels revolve around an event in history, mostly a war or a portion of a war, where he focuses on a variety of different characters to help drive the story. This novel centers on one man, Theodore Roosevelt, and his incredible life. This book takes you to the many places that Roosevelt has travelled. From the prairies of the Badlands, to the highest office in the land in Washington D.C., to the jungles of the Amazon. Shaara's masterful work of storytelling is brought out again in this must read for history buffs and Roosevelt fans. I was constantly wanting to see more and more and was compelled to look into more biographies of Roosevelt, which Shaara provides recommendations. The fast pace of the book was due largely to the timeframe of the narrative. Most of Shaara's books centers on a relatively short period of time, at most a couple of years. This book spans over 40 years of Roosevelt's life. Regardless of the quick pace of the narrative it is still a well worth read and another excellent addition to Shaara's growing library.
May 19, 2023
Prolific author of military-themed historical fiction Jeff Shaara turns to iconic American Theodore Roosevelt in his latest book, “The Old Lion.”
Roosevelt has been a wildly popular subject for historians, biographers, and readers over the years. It must have been a daunting task to take on such a well-known and revered political figure as Roosevelt, but Shaara has done a fine job taking readers through the life of this iconic American. Starting with his childhood trying to overcome debilitating episodes of asthma and trying to impress his father by strengthening himself with exercise, through college, marriage, tragedy, trips into the American wilderness, military life, and politics, readers experience his life through Roosevelt’s voice. Most enjoyable and interesting to me was Roosevelt’s work preserving nature and his evolving view of hunting for sport.
Well-written and enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy for review.
Roosevelt has been a wildly popular subject for historians, biographers, and readers over the years. It must have been a daunting task to take on such a well-known and revered political figure as Roosevelt, but Shaara has done a fine job taking readers through the life of this iconic American. Starting with his childhood trying to overcome debilitating episodes of asthma and trying to impress his father by strengthening himself with exercise, through college, marriage, tragedy, trips into the American wilderness, military life, and politics, readers experience his life through Roosevelt’s voice. Most enjoyable and interesting to me was Roosevelt’s work preserving nature and his evolving view of hunting for sport.
Well-written and enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy for review.
March 21, 2023
As an instructor of history, literature, and rhetoric, I’ve long studied T. Roosevelt for his masterful use of language and persuasion. It takes a bold heart to tackle ‘The Old Lion’ Roosevelt, and Shaara is up for the challenge. This novel is a compelling tale of one of America’s icons, yet refuses to fall in the trap of so many historians—either a hatred or worship of the Progressive President. At moments I cringed at Roosevelt’s behavior, and still at other times I felt triumphant. But never did Shaara step into the story. It’s as if Roosevelt’s excited hand guided the pen, and Edith’s honestly made a few corrections. Thanks to #netgalley and #stmartins for my opinion. This story didn’t disappoint.
February 7, 2023
Another outstanding historical fiction presentation about one our country’s beloved figures. No on does it better than Jeff Shaara when bringing to life history’s notables. He captured Roosevelt’s charm, his boisterousness, his sometimes overwhelming personality, but at the same time readers will see the vulnerability of a young man who so wanted to please his father. His love of nature and his determination to safeguard the natural resources are on full display. Teddy Roosevelt deserved his place on Mt. Rushmore.
June 14, 2023
We often don’t realize the enormous contributions one man like Teddy Roosevelt made for the betterment of the United States. Accomplished novelist and historical fiction mast Jeff Shaara’s 18th book is a tribute to this 19th/20th Century giant of a personality. In dramatic detail that fills conversational gaps, readers are treated to Roosevelt’s upbringing in NY’s high society and his time at Harvard while he tries to figure out his life. At one point he thought he was going g to be a rancher, purchasing thousands of cattle out in the Badlands and spending a lot of time there. This time of his life help forge his love of nature and for conserving space free from development. Back in NY he rails against politics and fights for the country, and not the party, being guided by what his father instilled in him. As Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Teddy drives the agenda and is often out in front of those around him regarding policies. When the Spanish invade Cuba, Teddy takes a commission in the Army because he wants to fight, and in doing so, he rightfully earns hero status in the Spanish American War, leading his ‘Rough Riders’ to victory. When President McKinley is assassinated in 1901, Teddy becomes the accidental president, and the rest, they say, is history. A fantastic addition to numerous other works on a great president and leader, forever remembered on Mt Rushmore.
June 20, 2023
I have always enjoyed author Jeff Shaara and he did not disappoint with this one! The story, told in 1st person is about the remarkable Teddy Roosevelt. Everyone knows that he charged up San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders but here we find the details not only to that story but also about his time as a rancher in the Dakotas, his safari in Africa and his incredible trip in the Amazon mapping unknown areas of the vast land of jungle. He was an ornithologist, a writer, a philanthropist and a President who made America better. His place as a great American is well deserved! This was a great book.
June 9, 2023
Shaara among the best of historical novelists. Somewhat longer on the fictional side, but readable.
June 25, 2023
I thought it was a very interesting book. The first-person interview format was very fresh for a biography. Definitively a very apologetic depiction of TR's life, but still is able to paint an engaging and vivid picture of the man throughout his life.
April 17, 2023
The Old Lion is, without a doubt, one of the best books I have ever read.
Jeff Shaara has written a novel about the remarkable life of Teddy Roosevelt that spanned a significant period of that life, including his fascination with the western United States, out of which grew his commitment to developing so many of our major national parks; his leadership of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American war in Cuba; his presidency; and his love of his family and country.
While I have read non-fiction books about Teddy Roosevelt's life, and enjoyed those books, none were as compelling as the stories so ably communicated by Jeff Shaara. I could not stop reading this book once I started it and I suspect others will share that experience.
I received a free ARC of this book, but I am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily.
Jeff Shaara has written a novel about the remarkable life of Teddy Roosevelt that spanned a significant period of that life, including his fascination with the western United States, out of which grew his commitment to developing so many of our major national parks; his leadership of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American war in Cuba; his presidency; and his love of his family and country.
While I have read non-fiction books about Teddy Roosevelt's life, and enjoyed those books, none were as compelling as the stories so ably communicated by Jeff Shaara. I could not stop reading this book once I started it and I suspect others will share that experience.
I received a free ARC of this book, but I am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily.
July 9, 2023
I received a complimentary electronic ARC of this excellent historical novel based on facts from Netgalley, author Jeff Shaara, and publisher St. Martin's Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read The Old Lion of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Jeff Shaara is an author I will follow. This was a tale to read again, a year or two down the line.
I had a great Uncle, my Mother's favorite uncle, Slim Mardis, who was one of the Rough Riders under Teddy - Slim was an Arizona boy, and also served in the Mexican border issues with Spain and Mexico in New Mexico and Texas. It is beautiful to see an acknowledgment of the efforts made by these men to preserve the borders of our country from European infringement and to understand the many precious gifts presented to us by Theodore Roosevelt over his lifetime. This is a book I am pleased to recommend to friends and family.
Netgalley
received May 9, 2023
pub date May 16, 2023
Reviewed on June 5, 2023, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
St. Martin's Press
I had a great Uncle, my Mother's favorite uncle, Slim Mardis, who was one of the Rough Riders under Teddy - Slim was an Arizona boy, and also served in the Mexican border issues with Spain and Mexico in New Mexico and Texas. It is beautiful to see an acknowledgment of the efforts made by these men to preserve the borders of our country from European infringement and to understand the many precious gifts presented to us by Theodore Roosevelt over his lifetime. This is a book I am pleased to recommend to friends and family.
Netgalley
received May 9, 2023
pub date May 16, 2023
Reviewed on June 5, 2023, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
St. Martin's Press
August 14, 2023
I came across Jeff Shaara after reading his father’s book, The Killer Angels, earlier this year. Seeing he had a recent book about Teddy Roosevelt, I was drawn in. I was a bit apprehensive since it’s historical fiction, but Shaara brings to life TR in a way I haven’t found before. He covers the life of Roosevelt from his earliest days of gathering specimens as a boy for his natural history collection to his final breath at Sagamore Hill.
TR lived an incredible life. Serving as President was just one of his impressive accolades. The others include New York State Assemblyman, Governor of New York, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Colonel for the Rough Riders, one of the founders of the Boone and Crockett Club, Vice President, and President. He was the original wilderness warrior, preserving 230 million acres of natural land including five National Parks, one hundred and fifty national forests, fifty-one federal bird sanctuaries, and eighteen national monuments.
His life was one great adventure. He became a ranch man in the Dakotas, a Colonel for the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, and explored unknown rivers in South America. The book covers his time spent in the Dakotas, leading the Rough Riders, becoming President, and partaking on his South American voyage. He faced many hardships in his life including losing his father at an early age, suffering heavy losses of cattle in the Dakotas, losing both his wife and his mother on the same day, and narrowly escaping an assassination attempt. His life almost seems like something out of fiction, so it’s fitting that this book is historical fiction.
It was a fun read. A good book for anyone wanting to learn more about “The Old Lion.”
TR lived an incredible life. Serving as President was just one of his impressive accolades. The others include New York State Assemblyman, Governor of New York, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Colonel for the Rough Riders, one of the founders of the Boone and Crockett Club, Vice President, and President. He was the original wilderness warrior, preserving 230 million acres of natural land including five National Parks, one hundred and fifty national forests, fifty-one federal bird sanctuaries, and eighteen national monuments.
His life was one great adventure. He became a ranch man in the Dakotas, a Colonel for the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, and explored unknown rivers in South America. The book covers his time spent in the Dakotas, leading the Rough Riders, becoming President, and partaking on his South American voyage. He faced many hardships in his life including losing his father at an early age, suffering heavy losses of cattle in the Dakotas, losing both his wife and his mother on the same day, and narrowly escaping an assassination attempt. His life almost seems like something out of fiction, so it’s fitting that this book is historical fiction.
It was a fun read. A good book for anyone wanting to learn more about “The Old Lion.”
May 27, 2023
I have read three books about Theodore Roosevelt prior to this book. Doris Kearnes Goodwin, The Bully Pulpit, David McCullough, Mornings On Horseback and Path To The Sea, a story of the building of the Panama Canal which never would have happened if not for Roosevelts worldwide respect and statesmanship. Also, what is seen as the definitive biographies, the trilogy written by Edmund Morris, The Rise of Teddy Roosevelt, Theodore Rex, and Colonel Roosevelt. The Old Lion does what all Shaara books do, brings Roosevelt, his family, and the vast number of people that his life influenced to life. The style of writing using research to allow the people in the Shaara books to speak in their own voices earned his father a Pulitzer for Killer Angels and thanks to Ted Turner who wanted sequels to his movie Gettysburg, Jeff Shaara adopted his father's style and has become a most respected author. One of my cherished memories is sitting down with Jeff Shaara in a bookstore in Gettysburg at the 145th anniversary three-day re-enactment. he told stories about helping his dad research on the ground for Killer Angels and signed the books i had already read including his father's book Killer Angels. I now buy all his books from his web site and of course they are signed. If you want to know why Theodore Roosevelt should have served multiple terms instead of Franklin, read this book. We would be a different country.
June 3, 2023
This was really a 3.5-star read for me but I'm bumping it up to 4. What American doesn't love Theodore Roosevelt? Seriously, there are not many people in American history more interesting than him, in my opinion. When you look at the past couple of U.S. Presidents, you have to wonder why America doesn't produce Theodore Roosevelts anymore. So naturally I was very excited to read a fictionalized story of his life. The story spans his lifetime but is framed from the perspective of Roosevelt telling his life story to his biographer at the end of his life. It does not really focus on his presidency, but more on the different stages of his life from childhood, to the loss of his first wife and his mother at the same time, to the time he spent out West, to his various political appointments, to his reluctant acceptance of the vice presidency and then the moment when he finds out the President has died from an assassin's bullet and he is now President, to his post-presidential trip to the Amazon jungle, to his deathbed. There is no time in his life when he wasn't one of the most interesting people in any room, but I felt like some sense of immediacy to the man and his life was missing in this book when it has been present in my favorite historical fiction novels. Oh well, it was still a good read (or listen in my case), and was the quality that you would expect from a novelist of Jeff Shaara's stature.
May 25, 2023
Theodore Roosevelt was an icon in American History. He was charismatic and intelligent. This novel spans his early life with his first wife, Alice, to the Badlands and the Spanish-American war all the way to the Roosevelt’s last breath.
I learned so much about Theodore Roosevelt in this novel. It covers so many aspects of Roosevelt’s life and in such great detail. The author and the narrator brought Roosevelt to life for me. I honestly did not know half of what this man did. Now, did he make mistakes and misjudgments, sure he did. He is human. And the author portrays all of this, Roosevelt’s faults and his great deeds!
The reason for the 4 stars is this novel can get a little dry In places and it is very long. But, that is because it is so very well researched.
The narrator, Paul Michael, is on if my favorites and he sounded just like I expected Theodore Roosevelt to sound. A job well done!
Need a very good novel about a true American…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I learned so much about Theodore Roosevelt in this novel. It covers so many aspects of Roosevelt’s life and in such great detail. The author and the narrator brought Roosevelt to life for me. I honestly did not know half of what this man did. Now, did he make mistakes and misjudgments, sure he did. He is human. And the author portrays all of this, Roosevelt’s faults and his great deeds!
The reason for the 4 stars is this novel can get a little dry In places and it is very long. But, that is because it is so very well researched.
The narrator, Paul Michael, is on if my favorites and he sounded just like I expected Theodore Roosevelt to sound. A job well done!
Need a very good novel about a true American…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
June 23, 2023
I find the life of President Teddy Roosevelt fascinating and inspiring. Jeff Shaara has a gift that allows you to live in the moment of history that he is writing about. This is true in his war books and here also in the life of Roosevelt. I listened to the audiobook for this volume, and I enjoyed the way it was read very much.
May 22, 2023
I have truly enjoyed the books by Jeff Shaara that I have read previously, and I had high hopes for this one, but... The other titles by this author that I've read have had a built-in narrative flow, as it were (campaigns during a war, for example); this biographical novel does not. So the reader 'drops into' TR's life at this point or that. As a result, it is difficult -- at least for this reader -- to develop a true sense of involvement with the characters. (The death of his mother and [first] wife Alice on the same day should have been more moving than it is -- but one never really *knows* either of the women.) I still like Shaara's writing style -- and the scenes between the asthmatic boy Theodore and his father are well-done -- but I could not get myself to go beyond page 131 with this book, to my sincere regret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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