I Rose Like a Rocket: The Political Education of Theodore Roosevelt

by Paul Grondahl

Book Overview

Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919), the favorite political role model of Bill Clinton and both George Bushes, is legendary for his political acumen and for bending the world to his will. Where, however, did... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074322731X
• ISBN13: 9780743227315
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.2" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful material

TR has always been one of my two favorite Presidents (the other being JFK), and this book is more than just your typical biography on him. It takes the unique angle of writing only about TR's life and political career before he became President, starting with his childhood and going through his political development, service in government, personal triumphs and tragedies, stint as a Rough Rider, time as Vice President, and finally having the last chapter be about his famous late-night ride to take the Oath of Office after President McKinley finally succumbed to his gunshot wound. We learn about how his experiences during this part of his life formed his political philosophy and development, making this incredible human being into the astute incredible President and politician he became over time. Mr. Grondahl really knows how to do his research and how to make it interesting and relevant instead of just some dry recounting of facts, names, and dates. It was also an added bonus how the author lives in the same area as I do.

What an index!

This book was an interesting look at the early life of Theodore Roosevelt, but the true masterpiece here is the index. Perfectly alphabetical and full of surnames followed by given names, the index deserves a Pulitzer all its own!

An explosive mix

A fascinating book. Paul Grondahl shows TR's political rise as an explosive combination of two different factors or forces -- one internal and one external. These forces are on display on the cover of the book. The title ("rose like a rocket") suggests the circumstances that quickly propelled TR into political opportunity. New York, and the nation, were ripe for a patrician reformer. Yet, as the book makes clear, Roosevelt's life consisted as much of sorrow as of opportunity. So external events are insufficient to explain his success. The subtitle ("political education") suggests the more important factor -- TR's intellectually aggressive approach to life, which enabled him to constantly improve by learning from his mistakes. Roosevelt himself seldom admitted to mistakes. So it takes a great journalist and historian like Grondahl to extract those lessons for us. A very enjoyable piece of detective work!

How a sickly boy became a powerhouse

It is amazing how Teddy made it to adulthood, let alone bull his way to the top of New York's political scene. His determined mind set against the political corruption of the time is inspiring. We watch as his experiences mold his character and his drive. Grondahl's book unfolds this oft overlooked portion of Teddy'a life and is a necessary read for those who really want to meet Teddy Roosevelt.

First-rate in every way

This is an excellent account of the early political career of Teddy Roosevelt, state legislator, federal civil service commissioner, NYC police commissioner, Rough Rider, Governor of NY, Vice-President, and you probably know the rest. It is full of wonderful stories, such as TR and reporters combing NYC for policemen who were corrupt or not doing their jobs, the first bicycle policemen which TR organized, his successes and failures, his gift for publicity and cultivation of his image. With the help of a lot of caffeine, TR worked very hard and learned to work with the less than honest machine politicians. The research seems through and the writing impeccable. A true gem. But, then, the material could not be finer.