This is an interesting Christmas book for young children. The story is played against the backdrop of the Roosevelt White House (Teddy's), and an apparently true story involving the conservationist president's decision not to allow a cut tree into the White House because he want's to be a good example for Americans.

Of course TR's notoriously rebellious brood tries to outfox their dad by secretly procuring a pine tree and stashing it away, decorated, in a bedroom closet. When discovered, TR marches the boys down to speak with Gifford Pinchot, his head of the US Forestry service. Pinchot says that sometimes cutting small trees can actually be beneficial to forests as it gives room for other trees to thrive and grow.

With that OK, the live tree (although a small one in keeping with the chief of forestry's direction) is again welcome into the White House and is part of a festive christmas celebration.

This story interests my children. Besides the Christmas hook, it involes the president and the White House, concepts they are familiar with. It also teaches a conservation lesson. Good book for the 4-7 set.

This book was excellent for 4-8 year olds to personalize Christmas at their house and at the first family's house. It also introduced a real life president and how carrying out his duties affected his home life. My son saw this as his first 'history lesson' of sorts. As an extra bonus it just so happens that one of President Roosevelt's sons was named Quentin. My son will remember this fact because that's his name and my husband, his dad's name happens to be Theodore!

TR's 1913-1914 expedition down the River of Doubt (subsequently renamed Rio Teodoro in his honor, and later Rio Roosevelt) is an astonishing piece of history - one often refered to in passing by other TR biographers, but not often fully explored, as it here. Author Ornig tells an exciting tale well, from the multitudious details of planning and executing a massive exploring expedition in the early 20th century, to vivid portraits of the characters involved. This book would be a wonderful companion for any adventure traveller (or even armchair adventurers).

Best of all, Ornig is no run-of-the-mill TR hagiographer (and there are plenty of them out there), nor is he interested in taking unfair potshots at the great man (plenty of those folks out there, too). Ornig simply relates events as they occured, and doesn't care a whit whether they cast TR in a favorable or unfavorable light: TR was a poor shot (due to his poor eyesight) and became grumpy and embarassed when he missed easy targets. TR was delighted with the impact on his waistline when the expedition was forced to subsist on reduced rations -- and argued against the restoration of full rations even though others were suffering. Do these facts detract from the TR legend, or add to it? I have never been a fan of Marble Men, and found that I loved TR even more after glimpsing some of his human flaws in MY LAST CHANCE TO BE A BOY. No student of TR should be without this volume.

Ornig provides the first detailed account of one of the most exciting adventure stories of the 20th century -- Theodore Roosevelt's exploration of the River of Doubt in Brazil's Amazon. The story is more incredible when you think that Roosevelt was a 55-year old former President at the time of the expedition. As we approach the 100th anniversary of Roosevelt's presidency, and as we consider our relationship with the earth, it is worth taking another look at this great outdoorsman. Ornig weaves together the political and diplomatic origins of the expedition and how Roosevelt, his son Kermit, and the rest of the expedition got much more than they bargained for. There's murder, there's drowning (and a question of whether Kermit Roosevelt was accountable), there's frustration, and there's a former President on the brink of death. After you read it, you'll want to read Roosevelt's account, "Through the Brazilian Wilderness." You'll enjoy that one too

Here it is. Everything you wanted to know about the cartoon that started the teddy bear craze 100 years ago and more. Linda's research is incredible and her writing style is very warm and personal, sort of like teddy bears. The book is also packed with illustrations in both color and black and white. I especially liked reading the history of Berryman, and how the cartoon of Roosevelt saving the bear came to be, about the two cartoons depicting the famous event 100 years ago, and about how Roosevelt did not actually spare the life of the bear tied to a tree, just refused to allow it to be shot. Any arctophile worth his or her salt should have this book in their collection! Bravo on a fine volume, Linda!

As an adult collector of teddy bears, I have read many summaries regarding the 1902 Presidential bear hunting trip and the Clifford Berryman cartoon that began America's love with the newly created "teddy bear". Almost every book for adult collectors has some version of this story in its introduction. I found Linda Mullins' The Teddy Bear Men to be a superior and detailed account of the real story. Mullins wisely included the highlights from the November 1902 accounts from The Washington Post, which clearly recounted how and why a bear ended up being tied and presented to President Theodore Roosevelt for him to shoot. Washington Post cartoonist, Clifford Berryman, then portrayed this incident in a cartoon, which may be familiar to many collectors. The cartoon bear that evolved from this initial cartoon became Berryman's artist symbol ("dingbat") and linked the teddy bear (both the Berryman cartoon and the toy versions) to President Roosevelt's political career. This book is a well researched documentation of Clifford Berryman, Theodore Roosevelt, and of the significant contribution they made to the rise of the first teddy bears. It is presented in a reader friendly manner, with a well written text, short chapters, and many photos and drawings on each page. I found this book to be both intelligent and enjoyable.

it was gooooood............verrrry gooooood

Accessible, well-written, and utterly compelling history is loaded with facts and dates, but more than that, this book places each president in the context of his times. Therefore, we come to understand the era itself; with the policies, debates, and legal questions fully explored.

Tired of the sickenly sweet, fake love stories where everyone is perfect, physically, and emotionally sound? This is a definite switch, but well work readsng. The two main characters are real people, and it's refreshing. Get if for someone who had given up trying to find their soulmate!

Some quotations from Adam Starchild's wonderful afterword to this book are appropriate:

"Children today are starved for the image of real heroes. Celebrities are not the same thing as heroes. Heroes existed way before celebrities ever did, even though celebrities now outshine heroes in children's consciousness."

"Worshiping celebrities leaves children with a distinctly empty feeling -- it doesn't teach that they'll have to make sacrifices if they want to achieve anything worthwhile. No- talents become celebrities all the time. The result is that people don't seem to care about achievement or talent -- fame is the only objective."

"... Despite immense differences in cultures, heroes around the world generally share a number of traits that instruct and inspire people. A hero does something worth talking about, but a hero goes beyond mere fame or celebrity. The hero lives a life worthy of imitation. If they serve only their own fame, they may be celebrities but not heroes. Heroes are catalysts for change. They create new possibilities. They have a vision, and the skill and charm to implement their vision."

"Heroes may also be fictional. Children may identify with a character because of the values projected. People tend to grow to be like the people that they admire, but if a child never has any heroes what images will he copy? Adults need heroes too, but the need is even more urgent for children because they don't know how to think abstractly. But they can imagine what their hero would do in the circumstances, and it gives them a useful reference point to build abstract thinking skills."

I learned so many possible things that TR has done for us and his country. In my opinion, TR was a hero. He established U.S. leadership in the world as no other president had before. He was truly amazing.

Of science-fiction novels, of cold-war novels, of serious American novels -- one of the very best. But then so is another Budrys novel, "Rogue Moon". "Who?" was made into a disappointing film; "Rogue Moon" awaits an animator perhaps not yet born. But both should be cherished first as books.

What I remember about Theodore Roosevelt is that hilarious comedy, 'Arsenic and Old Lace.' Where the two crazy old ladies and their ready to be committed equally mental, bugle-blowing brother, Teddy Brewster who constantly fantasizes charging up the stairway and digging the Panama Canal in the basement. But, we're talking about the first president of the 20th century and the youngest to ascend the highest office. The real Roosevelt was a very amazing fellow and the most active of any American writer. He grew out of a sickly childhood and built strength through self-made physical fitness. He was the one to save football from extinction in 1905. He was fond of the West African proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far." With remarkable toughness and smarts he served as a New York legislator, New York governor, police commissioner of New York City, assistant secretary of the Navy, vice president, military colonel who led the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War, the Indiana Jones of Amazonia and Africa, Nobel Peace Prize winner, a rancher, conservationist and father of six children. Now, that's a busy guy!

In 'The Man in the Arena,' Brian M. Thomsen has collected some of TR's profilic writings including essays and extracts from various books by TR. All are brought together in one handy reference of information about TR's writings. In the 16 extracts Thomsen reveals Roosevelt as a historian, memoirist, adventurer and essayist. 'The Winning of the West' written in 1889 celebrates the American epic of expansion. Research was something Roosevelt was good at. He spent a huge amount of time in archives and took the facts from primary sources only. There are two chapters dedicated to TR's 'The Naval War of 1812,' a technically excellent but, dull book. So any war buff wanting an accurate history of the War of 1812 just refer to TR's book. 'The Rough Riders' chapter gives the reader an account of a vivid and even graphic description of what war really is like, and the bravery and gallantry of early American soldiers. 'Through the Brazilian,' an account of TR and his crew in 1914 explored regions no other white man tread from battling rough terrain, rugged living and hunting game. If only the leaders of today had TR's toughness and intelligence then we wouldn't be in the mess we're in. The 'Washington's Forgotten Maxim' is dedicated to his 1897 address to the Naval War College. His memorable words, "to be prepared for war is the most effectual means to promote peace." The entertaining chapter, 'History as Literature,' TR argues that there is no reason why great history cannot be great literature with a great appreciation to Lucan and Macaulay. People assume history if it's accurate it's boring. He quotes H.G. Wells, "history is the symbol of the creative will in man." Not only you will find this an educational, thrilling read but, you may want to explore further other citations he mentions in his writings.