The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

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The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (in paperback: ISBN 0-375-75678-7) is a biography of President Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. It covers the time period from Roosevelt's birth through his ascendancy to the Presidency. The book covers the Roosevelt family history starting with the parents influence on Theodore or TR, his turbulent childhood illnesses, education, involvement in politics and accomplishments in politics that prepared him to be one of the most influential presidents of the modern era. Specific topics include the philosophy of Theodore's father, mother, and his family. His passion for learning despite severe illness is well documented. Morris reports that TR probably read the equivalent of one book per day for throughout his life.

Lengthy passages are spent on his life as a young politician driven by a sense of public duty and stewardship. Morris is an excellent biographer capturing multiple aspects of the various events that shaped the character and performance of TR. This is a must read for anyone involved in politics and leadership. It provides invaluable insight into the world of influence from a master of corporate power vs. leaders who practice personal power.

Topics include: Early childhood, education and hobbies, travels in Europe and Africa, New York legislature, frontier life, civil service commissioner, New York police commissioner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, the Rough Riders and victory in Cuba, governor of New York, Vice President, and TR as president.

It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1980.

The second volume in Morris' planned trilogy of Roosevelt is Theodore Rex, published in 2001.

This book is in the process of being made into a film, directed by Martin Scorsese with Leonardo DiCaprio starring. The screenplay will be written by Nicholas Meyer, and the film is due out in 2010.