The Cowboy President: The American West and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt

The review suggestion asks that we say what we liked most? I loved a feeling and real portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt. It opens windows on the vast plains of the West and shows, through the eyes of a great president, the wonder of a young man who had just lost his wife and mother and was at odds with the world that had once seemed so safe. It's a dreamscape; the open darkness of a Montana night, the thrill of sleeping on the floor of the earth and loving nothing more than an open fire and sharing stories with his friends. This book made one of my favorite historic figures a real and living person with joys and strength. I'm sure he felt the same way I did when I looked up into the sky on a dark Montana night and saw the bowl of stars above me and the sound of distant thunder against the sides of the high hills. It's a great book, it's refreshing. Many things are said that I have not read in other biographies. It is a much more intimate peek into a good man's life. Truthfully, the youth of this age could learn how to find themselves by reading this book. Why is it important? Because we all need to find where our heart and strength is. The writer is INVOLVED, he understands and did not just rest on what others have written about President Roosevelt, but gave a fresh perspective to a man whos life has been told many times. You can see through Roosevelt's eyes the love he had for the west and conservation of nature.

Despite already having read lots of books on TR and books TR wrote himself I really enjoyed this one. I am a huge fan of "the old west" and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the land, the weather, the animals and Indians directly from the perspective of ranch managers, ranch hands, hunting guides and other wild characters of the Dakota Territory. For a book published so recently this read is clearly open minded. There was none of the boring, useless scolding and apologizing so common in books today. The author appears to be an appreciative conservationist that understands the important, almost paramount roll responsible hunting and fishing played in creating and subsequently sustaining our national parks system, which has come to protect and preserve lands and species that would certainly have disappeared long before any of us could ever enjoy them. TR was both a hunter and the ultimate defender of land and wildlife. The book did not drag at all. Not too simple, not too complex. Just right. Great job!

Everything arrived on time and as advertised

Well written and has kept my interest. I have always loved history and this writer really gets right in there. He did not just write the book he really has researched the President. He has done President Theodore Roosevelt proud.

Great book focusing in depth on TR's time in the West as a rancher and Cowboy and how it influenced his life and political career. Well written and enjoyable.

It was a good book and I enjoyed it, but I already knew most of the information.

Great book, I had no idea of the interesting life of Theodore Roosevelt! Very well written!

Terrific saga about one of our most complicated and exciting Presidents. Vigorously told by Michael Blake.