As recounted in Morris's Pulitzer Prize winning book The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Roosevelt was born into a life of wealth and privilege. Overcoming childhood illnesses he would go on to lead an active and varied life that included cattle rancher, Police Commissioner for the New York City Police department, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy as well as raising and leading a regiment known as the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War. Roosevelt was a renowned naturalist as well as a prolific writer of history, and indeed his book The Naval War of 1812 is considered to be a classic in the field of Naval Warfare. By the age of 42, Theodore Roosevelt had lived a life that by all accounts would be considered a success.

Roosevelt was also active in politics, which for his time, was something that men of his class did not do. As a republican, Roosevelt first served in the New York State Legislature and much later was Governor of New York. It was as Governor that he was drafted to be President William McKinley's running mate in the 1900 presidential election. With McKinley's assassination on September 14th,1901, he would, at age 42, become the youngest man to ever become President.

Theodore Rex is a brisk and riveting account of the challenges, domestically and internationally, that confronted Roosevelt's presidency at the turn of the century. At times readers will feel a strong sense of deja vu as they learn that issues such as corporate greed, international terrorism and the environment were just as important a hundred years ago as they are now. Morris writes not only with a clear eye for detail but with a liveliness that is very engaging.

Theodore Rex reveals a president who, in spite of the infamous caricature of wielding the big stick, was skilled at the art of diplomacy and extraordinarily perceptive of the domestic and international challenges facing the United States at the dawn of the new century. It also reveals a president who, due to his undiminished popularity by the end of his second term, develops a strong sense of arrogance and invincibility. Though Morris finds much to praise about Theodore Roosevelt, he doesn't spare us the blemishes.

Theodore Rex and The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt are must reads for anyone who loves history and can be located on the basement level of the Library at call number E 757.M885 2001 and E 757 .M883 1979 (paperback ed E 757.M885 2001). Also highly recommended is David McCullough's Mornings on Horseback (E 757 .M45) which chronicles Roosevelt's early life. For a good one volume biography readers are encouraged to check out Kathleen Dalton's Theodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous Life (E757 .D24 2002).