Theodore Roosevelt Takes Charge [School & Library Binding]

Nancy Whitelaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1992

Although born with debilitating asthma, Theodore Roosevelt had supportive parents, a strong will, and an intense desire to learn. The combination of these and other factors made it possible for him to lead an extraordinary productive life. Whitelaw's biography, illustrated with more than 70 photographs, is absorbing and complete.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-12-- Whereas Jean Fritz's Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! (Putnam, 1991) concentrates mostly on Roosevelt's exuberant personality, this biography views him from a slightly different perspective. Whitelaw explains how his driven personality led to an almost unbelievable number of accomplishments. She provides plenty of historical background about world and national events, describing Roosevelt's part in them in detail. This is a look at his entire life, from childhood to his post-: presidency adventures; it includes some personal information but, for the most part, focuses on his public and political career. The author does discuss some of his shortcomings, but she clearly admires her subject. A real strength is the inclusion of much information about Roosevelt's activities as a naturalist and conservationist. The numerous black-and-white photos and reproductions are excellent, and the appendixes are very useful. --Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO (Adult Books for Young Adults)
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

An author with just two previous books to her credit (Charles de Gaulle, 1991) turns out a biography that can stand proudly next to Jean Fritz's Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! (1991, ALA Notable). Whitelaw's lively text is substantially longer than Fritz's, succinctly including more details of Roosevelt's wide-ranging, productive career. But the vibrant personality is recognizably the same in both books; like intimate friends, the authors choose different anecdotes to illuminate the same qualities, each supporting a viable theme--Fritz emphasizes TR's ebullient enthusiasm, while Whitelaw focuses more on the specific accomplishments that resulted from his no-nonsense response to social and political changes caused by forces like immigration, rapid industrialization, and labor unrest. Both also point out his less-than-admirable eagerness to get into battle. Heavily illustrated with well-chosen photos and contemporary cartoons and including a list of TR's published books and an extensive chronology, this lucid, beautifully balanced account deserves a place in every library. Bibliography of sources; index. (Biography. 9-14) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• School & Library Binding: 192 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co (March 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807578495
• ISBN-13: 978-0807578490
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,744,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, for a good read!, March 17, 2009

By 

Sophia Ray (Hancock, Maryland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Theodore Roosevelt Takes Charge (School & Library Binding)

I am a big history buff. I have read several books on Teddy Roosevelt, but this one is good. It contains a lot of good pictures of him, including ones from his childhood and as a young man. This author is a very good writer. His knowledge of Teddy isn't just the heart of this book, but there is a good flow of words, which make this a good read. I was able to picture time frames into which I have never been born into, and felt that I had a better idea of the new age movement of industry and the depression. I felt as if a very objective insight has been delivered into words, and Teddy is represented as a real person, with not just ambition, but a person who did have concern for future generations, especially in ecology. You can learn a lot of history around the man, Mr. Roosevelt.