I cannot say the last time I have enjoyed a book so much. It not only succeeds as a work of superior historical dissection, it is also an incredible, engaging narrative that moves the reader along at an at times breathtaking, at others languid but involving, pace that never ceases to release the reader from its race to the zenith of Roosevelt's political career. Every bit as engaging, charming and impressive as its subject, Morris's "Rise of TR" would have someone with only the most shallow awareness of our 26th President sitting on the edge of their chair, obsessively asking "what will Teddy do next?" I read it as I would a work of fiction with the most enthralling, fantastic storyline. Morris's skill as a writer and historian should be praised, but in fairness no historical figure reads more like a fortified folk hero more than Teddy Roosevelt. Before reading this biography I had already counted Roosevelt among my favorite presidents. Ok, my favorite president. I knew of his courage in politics, his black and white view of right and wrong, how he quickly reached conclusions of how others should be treated based on moralty, not political clout, of his bigger acheivements, of his progressive ideas for the time, of his disasterous bid to seek a 3rd term and of his famous family members and their doings. I did not know (im sure no one could except those who have read this book or done an insane amount of research) of his formative years spent languishing in illness and insecurity, his early heavy scientific obsession, his Harvard years of popularity and decision, his love lorn, star crossed pursuit of the doomed Alice Lee, his incredible body of academic bookwork (accomplished so young!), his life as a young assemblyman, his clumsy and inelegant, yet unstoppable first poltical years, his ambitions and abilities hardened and enhanced by his years outwest and the many experiences and people that built part of his singular, brave character, his years as a deft, yet uncompromising politician and the surprising amount of criticism and hero worship that he garnered, his bouncing from position to position as he searched for a calling to match his massive potential, his masterful use of friendships and his unique ability to pile up enemies without care, his questionable but heroic war time exploits, his abject dislike of the job of vice president and the ascerbic, insanely well-read, cheerful, spot-on wit that held his personality together. My one criticism is really just a plan to purchase another book: i would like to know more about Roosevelt the family man. The book barely touches on the affection and frustration his wife Edith had for him and does not give any detail about the famous love affair he had with his children. Early it certainly details how young Roosevelt felt about his own parents and siblings, but the latter half of the book looks so determinedly at only one or two aspects of Roosevelt's life that one can barely believe he even held his children's hand let alone were exceptionally adored by them, as is well known. At 741 pages, it is doubtful Morris would have had the time or the space to add more personal details of Roosevelt's life, but it was wanting all the same. As I said, there are other books that can fulfill this want, I'm sure. That being said I look forward with great anticipation reading Morris's second volume of this series about TR's presidency. As incredible as his early life was, (he had enough for 10 lives really), I cant wait to read of his historic contributions to our history which earned him permanent place in rock and iron.