Customer Reviews

The Rough Riders (Dover Books on Americana)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This little book/diary was extremely popular in 1899, and helped propel Teddy into the White House. Basically we all know his story of courage and heroism, as he formed a mixed cavalry, and very successful, of cowboys, frontiermen, Native Americans, African Americans and even some city lads and Iv League alumni. Not only did they help in defeating the Spanish with the charge up San Juan Hill, but also had to overcome a deadly variety of diseases and accidents. They had a very high casualty rate in the thick of the battles. This is a wonderful piece of history and Teddy went on to account for the welfare of his men and their post-soldiering days. Not many colonels/generals can say that they were concerned about their men after the battles. I sincerely liked this book and again reassures me that Teddy was a great politician, naturalist, a battler for individualism, and a truly unique American. I also enjoyed the historic photographs in the book.

Theodore Roosevelt: Will we EVER see a leader like him, ever again?

He was the REAL THING.

He never pretended to be greater than what he was, he didn't need to. He was a man far greater than any of his peers on the political scene, and would be today, if he lived in our time.

How many modern-day politicians and bureaucrats would resign from a comfortable post in Washington D.C., ...to actually lead men in battle?

This is Roosevelt's humble account of his service with the Volunteer cavalry unit that he helped raise in Texas, as the U.S. prepared to wage war against Spain. Having recently lived as a cowboy and rancher in North Dakota, Roosevelt knew first-hand that a unit composed of the rugged sort of people from the West, would be a ready-made army. These were men who already knew how to fight, shoot, ride, and live off the land. All that was needed was to train them in military tactics and procedures, assign leaders, and organize them into units.

The press nick-named them "The Rough Riders". The western volunteers who assembled to fill their ranks were cowboys, hunters, trappers, prospectors, and Native-Americans from various tribes. There were volunteers from the eastern states, as well, mainly college students and policemen.

For all the hurried training in cavalry tactics, it came to pass that Roosevelt's unit fought as infantry. In the chaotic rush to procure transport to Cuba, most of the unit's horses had to be left in Florida. The rest were assigned as pack-animals. The actions in which the Rough Riders fought were better suited to infantry tactics anyway. They faced off against the Spanish army at Las Guasimas, Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, and Santiago.

It was at the San Juan and Kettle Hill, where Roosevelt faced his "crowded hour". He was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor for his significant leadership on the ground, leading from the front, fighting at the head of his regiment. The issue of the Medal is not covered in this book, however. Thats another story.

Roosevelt expressed disappointment that his regiment did not get to engage Spanish cavalry in combat. However, upon seeing the Spanish cavalry that was present on Cuba, he realised that the Spanish horsemen were not a worthy adversary. He comments on the bravery of the Spanish soldier, and the superior weaponry with which they were supplied, such as the Mauser rifle. However, they lacked certain characteristics of individual initiative and unit cohesiveness that Americans understood. Roosevelt speaks at length about the flagrant lack of readiness that the U.S. had for conducting a war abroad. The "aristocracy" of the army, at that time, was shamefully dismissive of modern developements. In an age where machineguns and rapid-fire breach-loaded artillery were beginning to make their presence known on the battlefield, ...some generals were still advocating the use of black-powder arms!

At Santiago, as the hostilities subsided, illness began to take a far heavier toll on the troops than enemy action did. This was the most persistant killer of military personnel, from pre-history to the First World War. Roosevelt aggressively utilized his political connections to get his regiment out of Cuba as soon as possible. Hostilities had ceased, and Roosevelt was concerned with evacuating his people from Cuba before the epidemics decimated the ranks. He eventually found passage aboard ship, bound for Long Island, where the regiment recuperated and finally disbanded.

This is a short book. Upon completion, one wishes Roosevelt had added more. He paints a loving picture of the regiment he commanded for a short time, a fellowship of unique and remarkable individuals who had a special comeraderie which is so rare in military service. This adventure tested Roosevelt before the eyes of the nation, and ultimately paved the way for his path to the presidency.

Roosevelt never did receive the Medal of Honor, during his lifetime. Roosevelt's insistant efforts to evacuate his personnel caused public embarrassment for certain "superiors" in the chain of command. It shed too much light on the obtuse incompetance of those in higher office. In an act of sheer cowardice and pettiness, small men, who were not capable of emulating Roosevelt, rescinded his decoration!

Over a century later, film-director John Milius was successful in appealling to Congress to decorate Theodroe Roosevelt with the Medal of Honor for actions in Cuba.

This book is extremely short but makes for an excellent read. I wish it were longer.

A very enjoyable book and full of inside information from Teddy homself. He is a special hero to us out in Micronesia because of his concern for protecting the wilderness and saving the environment. After reading it, I've encouragied my teenagers to not only read it but write school reports about the history and background of such a strong man. I liked it.

Teddy does a great job telling about specifics, but he really glosses over the pain and severity of the campaign felt by the enlisted man. Through his eyes, every man was ready (and wanting) to take a bullet and no one ever screamed out in pain or horror. Still great book on tactics used and how one becomes a great leader.