Theodore Roosevelt: Twenty-Sixth President of the United States (Encyclopedia of Presidents) [Library Binding]

Zachary Kent (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1988 | Series: Encyclopedia of Presidents

Examines the personality, early life, family, and career of the twenty-sixth president of the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

ea. vol: 98p. photogs. chron. index. (Encyclopedia of Presidents Series). CIP. Childrens. 1988. PLB $10.95. Grade 4-8 These books each start with a vignette from the life of the president and then proceed to the subject's birth, education, early life, and career. Important events during the presidency are covered in some detail. The books are illustrated with numerous well placed photographs. Theodore Roosevelt is a delight to read. Kent uses many quotes throughout, which help to make his subject live. This would be a good addition to replace some of the older biographies and for a little younger reader than the Eden Force biography (Watts, 1987). Richard Nixon is not written with the same verve. Lillegard seems to be an apologist for Nixon, explaining his campaign style by saying that others had done the same. He says that Stevenson also had a secret campaign fund and that California Democrats destroyed some of Nixon's campaign literature in his first race. When discussing Watergate, he talks about similar actions by the Democrats. Nixon's childhood and youth are covered well to show why he developed the way he did. The Hiss case, the vice presidency, and presidency are also well covered, but Watergate is presented as an attack. Thus readers are left with a feeling of a wronged man. On the other hand, C. Peter Ripley's biography (Chelsea House, 1987) uses the book as a vehicle for condemning most of Nixon's political actions. Before buying either Nixon biography, librarians must be aware of the author's point of view. Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, Fairfax County, Va.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 100 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (April 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516013548
• ISBN-13: 978-0516013541
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 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: #1,690,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teddy Roosevelt: Man of Action and First Modern President, July 29, 2003

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Theodore Roosevelt: Twenty-Sixth President of the United States (Encyclopedia of Presidents) (Library Binding)

Most of the juvenile biographies of Theodore Roosevelt begin in media res, with a defining moment in T.R.'s history. The usual choice is when T.R. became the youngest President in history when William McKinley was assassinated, but Zachary Kent picks instead the Rough Riders storming San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War. The choice is significant because Kent presents the life of Theodore Roosevelt as being that of a fighter who charged through life the same way he charged up San Juan Hill. But Kent also argues throughout this juvenile biography that Roosevelt's progressive politics helped thrust the United States into the modern age.

Kent divides T.R.'s life into nine chapters: (1) "Get Action!" introduces Roosevelt as a Colonel in the Rough Riders storming San Juan Hill; (2) A Fighter is Born looks at his childhood, where the young boy suffering from asthma transformed himself into a boxer, and how his early political career went off track following the tragic day when both his wife and mother died; (3) The Four-Eyed Maverick tells about both T.R.'s life as a rancher in the Dakota Badlands and his return to politics after his second marriage; (4) From Police Department ot Navy Department looks at the two jobs where T.R. made his reputation in New York and Washington; (5) Rough Rider to the White House covers how T.R.'s experiences in Cuba got him elected governor of New York and his reputation put him on the national Republican ticket in 1900 as the Vice Presidential candidate. Young readers will be surprised to learn he did not want the position, and it was only an ironic twist of fate that made him President.

Kent covers the Roosevelt presidency in a pair of chapters: (6) Wielding a Big Stick details how T.R. invigorated the White House as he filled out McKinley's term, continuing to lead "The Strenuous Life" and advancing the Progressive cause, from inviting Booker T. Washington to the White House to breaking up business monopolites; (7) Adventurous President deals with the 1904 election, when T.R. was elected to the White House in his own right, and his focus shifted to foreign affairs, most notably settling the Russo-Japanese War (for which he would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize) and visiting the construction of the Panana Canal. If they have been working through the Presidents in chronological order (I have been going alphabetically), young readers will note that with T.R. we have what they would recognize as being the first "modern" President.

This volume is also rather unique in the Encyclopedia of Presidents series because it is one of the view that devotes two chapters to the life of its subject after leaving the White House: (8) Bull Moose Candidate relates how T.R. was unhappy with his hand-picked successor, William Howard Taft, and ran the most successful third party campaign in 1912 on the Progressive ticket, finishing second to Woodrow Wilson; and (9) The Lion is Dead covers T.R.'s active retirement exploring Brazil and his dterioration after his youngest son Quentin was killed during World War II.

The volume is illustrated with black & white historical photographs, along with a few choice political cartoons (including the famous one of Roosevelt and his "big stick"). As always, the production values look rather outdated, but the Encyclopedia of Presidents volumes are as informative as any set of juvenile biographies of the Presidents available. Kent has once again authored an above average entry in the series because of the dual focus on both Roosevelt as a man of action and how his policies turned the U.S. into a modern nation and a world power.