Theodore Rex
by Edmund Morris
Publisher: Random House, 2001

book reviewed by Kevin Quinn

In his second volume on Theodore Roosevelt, Edmund Morris focuses on Teddy's two-term Presidency. Morris portrays Roosevelt as a strong and determined individual with little or no fear, and as someone who successfully maneuvered in difficult political circumstances.

The novelistic approach taken by Morris helps the reader not only get through the lengthy text, but wanting more. Roosevelt's Presidency is brought to life as he deals with challenges domestic (the Pennsylvania coal miner's strike and Wall Street Trusts) and international (the Japanese/Russian war and the building of the Panama Canal). The book shows that TR understood how to produce a desired result in often-difficult political climates.

Domestically, the coal miners' strike, as told by Morris, melds well with Roosevelt's efforts to bust the trusts. In 1902, coal miners in Pennsylvania, living under difficult and dangerous conditions for little pay, had little or no financial means to fight the larger financial interests that owned the mines and paid their wages. These working men, however, figured out that they possessed two things to change their condition: will power and a nation dependent on coal to heat their homes. The miners struck and Roosevelt, not one to step into state affairs lightly, heard their plea (and the political plea of the nation's homeowners) and was able to avert a national crisis in the winter of 1902.

Morris documents the effort that Roosevelt put to all his tasks: "speak softly and carry a big stick." Unlike his trust busting efforts, TR had to speak softly to settle this difficult situation.

Internationally, the settlement of the Japanese/Russian war, with TR as the unknown intermediary, is an example of TR's cajoling (some would say deceitful) ability to get things done. Quietly working behind the scenes, TR comes to life as the creative problem solver of international disputes, protecting American interests from broader difficulties in the early 1900's.

As Morris points out, TR was not above using a variety of means to achieve his ends. He had unbreakable will and strong character as highlighted by this funny tidbit that Morris tells in Chapter 31.

TR's youngest son, Quentin (or "Q") was playing war with Howard Taft's son, "Taffy" ("T"). To win the game, either "Q" or "T" had to possess a flag for three minutes. "T" put "Q" in quite a spot by using a garden hose to take control of the game. "Q", thinking quickly and creatively as his father would, obtained a fire ax and chopped the hose into pieces. Before a winner could be declared, TR came racing out of the White House in anger and this short exchange ensued, according to Morris:

TR: Come here with your incriminating hatchet! In the heat of battle, many acts, which may not be countenanced at other times, may be excusable...You understand that boys?

Q: Sure. You mean that's the reason why I did it? I did it, because something had to be done immejitly- [Q, at this time, was 10 years of age, according to Morris]

TR: That's exactly it! The point is always to do something quickly, because if you don't, the other will follow…You may be wrong -- you were here-- but you have, at least, initiated action. When the action is wrong, you must admit it, and correct it by some further action--

Q: (Looking at the severed hose) I don't see how this can be corrected.

TR: Only by an entirely new garden hose. It was Government property, still is, but also, is no longer. You cannot imagine the difficulties involved, and the things required to be done, in order to replace it. It will even cost money, part of which I am earning--or was earning, when interrupted by a dispatch regarding the progress of this war, and left hurriedly for the field--

Q: Well, of course, you're right; but we've learned our lesson, you know--

TR: We? Don't you mean yourself? And what have you learned?

Q: Not to cut up garden hoses.

TR: And not to use fire axes on anything but a fire--

Q: ...We're not so likely to have a fire.

TR: Not with all this water around! You escape, Quentin, only because of extenuating circumstances arising out of the heat of battle.

TR admonishes his son, recognizes it is his obligation to pay for the destroyed government property and, at the same time, compliments his son for being so resourceful. Speaking softly, but like a parent should, carrying a big stick, he sends a good message to his 10 year old son while he is in the midst of running the United States.

Morris delivers a good read about a very interesting American President.

*******

02/12/2003