The Rough Riders Audiobook

" I found this book about the Spanish-American War and Roosevelt's volunteer Rough Riders to be very interesting and easy to read. What added immensely to his vivid account was additional text and hundreds of pictures included by Richard Bak. I am glad I read it because of what I learned about the war and Roosevelt. "

" It was an ok read. I lost momentum. It wasn't exactly action-packed. But it was fun to read something written by such an important historical figure. "

" Teddy's own take on his part in the Spanish-American War. Not a lot of vainglory here; a quite honest, realistic, sometimes humorous account of the group and its experiences. A nice surprise for anyone who hasn't read anything written by T.R.; his somewhat naive yet very winning patriotism and enthusiasm shine through this book. "

" This kind of reads like the Bible. There's a lot of names given and a lot of heroic people. It's hard to remember them all. There were heroics happening all the time. The action was written good. It was my favorite part. Teddy sees a man beside him and looks back and the man's head was gone or he was shot through the belly or spine or foot or face. Not a damn one complained, it didn't seem. Not even the ones that were shot in the head with nonfatal wounds. People got shot up and just took it and didn't want to go home or to the hospital in the back. They ate mostly what is called "hardtack." Didn't have much food. They took some beans as spoils from the Spaniards once. Teddy was never afraid, it seemed. He lost 20 pounds. His volunteer forces were given mascots. One was a mountain lion named Josephine. There was a dog named Cuba. There was an eagle named after Teddy. All of the mascots fought each other. The men loved Teddy and he loved them. "

" It was good to read if not uncomfortable how Roosevelt and most other white Americans of his time viewed other people who weren't ancestors of the Vikings as he might put it. Roosevelt in describing bis desire to rid the Western world of the Spanish colonialists, describes how he had been wanting to fight them for axlong time. Choosing to lead a Calvary through Cuba, he first uses Ivy League college men and later men from the 4 territories, Texas, New Mexico, Indian and Arizona. Roosevelt does choose some Indians but mentions they look white and aren't pure blooded. Then he admits he used some pure blooded Indians too. Several calvaries ventured to Cuba including some Black calvary troops also. He gives a blow by blow account of the fighting and mentions several who died. A major factor they had not planned on was disease. Both Yellow Fever and malaria killed the troops faster than fighting did. In Theodore Roosevelt's true fashion, he is surprised when white and black troops died and became sick at the same rate. Yes the US won and Roosevelt's troops took San Juan hill, but the people of Santiago, especially women and children sickened and died as refugees and he and his troops, short on supplies and food themselves couldn't help much. Roosevelt's Rough Riders became legendary but at a great cost for some. Roosevelt was rather proud of the Rough Riders as president and kept up with some men he knew there. He gives a good accounting of people's lives and deaths. Malaria continued to kill back home and some died or were permanently weakened. Interesting story but the racism surprised me. I thought it was good for me to know the general audience of the day thought that way or Roosevelt wouldn't have assumed he was correct in his beliefs. "

" An interesting book which reads much like a diary. If you are expecting an analytical book of the invasion of Cuba, you need to go somewhere else. TR has an engaging writing style, but he does like to put the best face on everything. "

" TR comes through more humble than I expected, more motivated to serve. He tells a stirring action tale and allows others to get credit. One can see the President who would shake up the Establishment and define the modern office. "

" Ebullient, opinionated, self-serving, energetic ... how I and a few close friends won a splendid little war. Not to be missed by the so inclined, but most definitely not de rigueur "

" Historical fiction/ history not sure but a great insight into the mindset and ideals of the elites of Roosevelt's generation. A boys own adventure that leaves you wondering what these guys really thought about this obviously brutal hard slog of a war. "

" Makes one realize the importance of transportation and smokeless powder :) But seriously, a good writeup about the raising of the Rough Rider Regiment and the Battle of San Juan from the point of view of our most adventurous President. "

" I loved hearing T.R.'s voice come through loud and clear during the account of his adventure in Cuba. An enjoyable read and a wonderful reminder of the heroics from a nearly forgotten war. "

" It was only 4 months from the time they came together until they were mustered out of service. But it was time enough for Teddy to find his "crowded hour" of glory and put him on the path to the Presidency. He truly was a "force of nature". "

" A very interesting read of Theodore Roosevelt's experiences in the Spanish-American war when he commanded a volunteer Cavalry regiment that was nicknamed the Rough Riders. I believe the best way to learn history is to read works by its contemporaries, and this one was excellent! "

" There were a lot of details I didn't care about and I had a hard time finishing the book. But a handful of the scenes were profoundly vivid. I appreciated Teddy's honesty, which included an appendix at the end of the book full of errors pointed out to him by others in the regiment. "

" I asked Ike to read this so I can talk to him about the reality of soldiers' attitudes. TR made it sound like that these RR didn't complain about the heat, lack of food, lack of supplies, poor planning, or anything. Just a great group of guys who went to Cuba did some killing and came home happy. "

" This was an interesting insight into the life of Teddy Roosevelt. "

" Great man, great American, great President, great book. "

" This is an excellent memoir. I have read much about Teddy Roosevelt, but this is the first that I have read of his writings. One forgets that among his many accomplishments is that he supported himself for a time as an author. "

" While some of the attitudes of Theodore regarding race and nationalism is no longer appropriate, nonetheless this is a wonderful book that portrayed the Rough Riders' toughness, bravery, and non-complaint attitude. There is something there for every man to imitate. "

" I asked Ike to read this so I can talk to him about the reality of soldiers' attitudes. TR made it sound like that these RR didn't complain about the heat, lack of food, lack of supplies, poor planning, or anything. Just a great group of guys who went to Cuba did some killing and came home happy. "

" Historical novel set in the Spanish American war. Details the story of Roosevelt's Rough Riders 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry unit. "

" This is an excellent memoir. I have read much about Teddy Roosevelt, but this is the first that I have read of his writings. One forgets that among his many accomplishments is that he supported himself for a time as an author. "

" Very interesting from a historical perspective. Gave it 3 stars because it reads a bit like a military report so it can be a little bit slow moving at times. "

" Very interesting to read this book and about the experience 1st hand from Teddy Roosevelt. Not as big of a braggart as I was expecting and spent most of the book extolling the men he served with. "

" Actually I read "Outdoor Pasttimes of an American Hunter" by Theodore Roosevelt. Great hunting stories. Could not find it in Goodreads. "