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.

I'll spare the details that others have provided and simply at my 2 cents:

This is, simply, a great biography. I found it an incredibly easy read, despite its astonishing depth (and length). The sheer detail and volume of primary sources is fascinating but nothing can outdo the awesomeness of the book's subject matter. Roosevelt springs from the pages and looms like a giant over the history of the United States. His astonishing memory, his endless reserves of energy, his expertise in such diverse fields, and his rigid morality make him seem more like a legend than a man and the book conveys a sense of u

This is a must read for students of American history or those interested in the great presidents of US history.

My Son commented to me that I give a lot of 5 Star reviews. Yes, I do. And why not, every Saturday I pore over the New York Times Book Review. I also subscribe to the London Review of Books. Before I purchase a book I do research it.
I've read Edmund Morris' narrative of the formative years of Theodore Roosevelt. I've learned the following:
1. Theodore was born to wealth and privilege in 1858 before the Civil War.
2. Teedie fought ill health with asthma and through sheer will overcame its disabilities.
3. He disciplined and willed himself to extraordinary study to graduate from Harvard.
4. At a young age he saw himself as a Patrician seeking to help humanity as a New York City Police Commissioner and later Governor of the State of New York.
5. He survived the death of his wife and mother on the same day.
6. He became the leading American to begin an appreciation for life in the great outdoors. This later led to the development of the National Park System when he became President.
Edmund Morris brings all this to life with a fiction like narrative. But what makes the book great is that is was a real. He won a Pulitzer Prize for this book. OK Scott, it does rate 5 Stars!!

This book details what an extraordinary man President Roosevelt was.
Physically and intellectually, there was never a president like him or perhaps, anyone else. His leadership skills were second to none as well as his integrity. He was one of a kind and the mold was broken with his passing. Beware, reading this book may make you feel somewhat inadequate. But, reading this book will also give you great insight to a great man. A role model in many ways.

I could not put it down. A wonderfully written book about an exciting president, with great photos included. I enjoyed it so much, that I started the sequel, Theodore Rex, immediately after finishing. I recommend it highly.

What a tremendous biography, or actually one third of a biography, as this is the first of a projected three volumne work. It is hard to imagine someone having a career like this today, although to be fair to our own times, Teddy Roosevelt was a dynamo by the standards of his own era as well.

The books only covers Roosevelt's life up until he becomes president, but because of Roosevelt's statue, drive and intellect, and Morris' thorough research, expert analysis and superb writing, it is also a very exciting view into America in the second half of the 19th century. A total of 700 pages and at the end I could not wait to start the next volume, Theodore Rex (Modern Library Paperbacks)