Colonel Roosevelt summary

Colonel Roosevelt: The Man Behind the Legend

In Colonel Roosevelt by Edmund Morris, we delve into the final decade of Theodore Roosevelt's life. The book begins with Roosevelt's return from his African safari in 1910, where he had been collecting specimens for the Smithsonian. Despite his self-imposed exile from politics, Roosevelt remains a prominent figure, and his return to the United States is met with great fanfare.

However, Roosevelt is not content to remain on the sidelines. He quickly becomes disillusioned with his handpicked successor, President William Howard Taft, and the direction the Republican Party is taking. Roosevelt's frustration leads him to challenge Taft for the Republican nomination in the 1912 presidential election. When he fails to secure the nomination, he forms the Progressive Party, or Bull Moose Party, and runs as its candidate.

The election of 1912 is a four-way race, with Roosevelt, Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Socialist Eugene V. Debs all vying for the presidency. Despite being shot in the chest by a would-be assassin during a campaign stop, Roosevelt continues to campaign vigorously. Ultimately, he splits the Republican vote with Taft, allowing Wilson to win the election.

Theodore Roosevelt's Post-Presidential Years

After his defeat in the 1912 election, Roosevelt embarks on a South American expedition, where he explores the River of Doubt, a treacherous, uncharted tributary of the Amazon. The journey is fraught with danger, and Roosevelt nearly dies from an infection. His survival cements his reputation as a larger-than-life figure, and he returns to the United States a hero.

Despite his advancing age and declining health, Roosevelt remains active in public life. He continues to advocate for progressive causes, including women's suffrage, workers' rights, and environmental conservation. He also speaks out against President Wilson's policies, particularly his handling of World War I.

However, Roosevelt's health continues to deteriorate, and he passes away in 1919 at the age of 60. His death is met with widespread mourning, and he is remembered as one of the most influential and dynamic figures in American history.

Roosevelt's Legacy and Impact

In Colonel Roosevelt, Morris paints a vivid portrait of a man who was larger than life. Roosevelt was a complex figure, a man of contradictions, who was both a rugged outdoorsman and a prolific author, a war hero and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a progressive reformer and a staunch nationalist.

Throughout his life, Roosevelt embodied the spirit of the American frontier, with its emphasis on self-reliance, individualism, and rugged masculinity. He also played a pivotal role in shaping the modern presidency, expanding the power and influence of the executive branch.

In conclusion, Colonel Roosevelt provides a comprehensive and compelling account of the final years of Theodore Roosevelt's life. It offers a nuanced portrayal of a man who was both a product of his time and a force for change, leaving an indelible mark on American history.