Every so often, our friends over at Austin’s Pizza select a book to read and review. We’re happy to sponsor this reading habit. Pizza and books, it’s a happy marriage. This month, the book is Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris. Here’s J. D. Torian’s review:
“My father always wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding, and the baby at every christening.”
-Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Roosevelt’s oldest daughter
The third part in Morris’ three-part Theodore Roosevelt Biography series, Colonel Roosevelt is tough to read (as opposed to a tough read). In this installment–as with the first two–Morris gives a flowing account of the man and his life.
It’s a must read. But like the greatest movies, you’re made to feel it’s going to end poorly.
His Roosevelt is a lovable man-child who wants to do what’s right always (and generally does), but he just can’t himself in certain situations. As any father knows, you never stop pulling for your children, sometimes even disregarding right and wrong. It’s this paternal love for Roosevelt as a person (created by Morris) that keeps pages turing, even through the tough stuff.
This is not to say that the book is one gut-punch after the other. There are great, fast-moving moments and historic triumphs: a king’s procession through Africa, a gale-force tour of Europe, and several personal and moral victories. But I found myself taking a lot of beaks during episodes like his failed third run for the White House–reading through my hands to sheild the impending crash…..
To read the rest of this review, visit the Austin’s Pizza Blog.
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