This is a well researched study of the imperialist impulse that led to the Spanish American War and the rise of Teddy Roosevelt. I have to say for me the philosophizing got a bit deep and the narrative got lost in details that just never seemed to be justified by importance of any kind. I so,etimes felt the author had some interesting side note he wanted to work in, whether it fit or not. ( )

J Green's review below really captures my own views of the book - potentially interesting but, in the end, boring. I also wanted to like the book, but it was really just a dry documentation of facts. The most rewarding chapter was the last, especially where Mr Thomas writes about Wm James. It has inspired me to find a good book on James. I've seen James referenced from time to time in my readings but I've never read anything by him or about him. ( )

This book delves into the interactions of Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge vs. William Randolph Hearst and their viewpoints about the American need to go to war against Spain in the late 19th century.

Factual but hard to get into. ( )

Ever read a book that sounded fascinating but you just can't seem to get into it? Every time you pick it up it's like drudgery, and you find your mind wandering while your eyes glaze over and keep skimming paragraphs without taking any of it in. And worst of all, you feel obligated to finish it?

The Spanish-American War (1898) has been looked upon by history as a "war of choice." There was a legitimate reason - it helped to liberate Cuba - but it was mostly pressed by several individuals eager for war. Chief among them was Theodore Roosevelt, who having grown up as a sickly child had developed into a physical and energetic (and aggressive) force, and he saw it as a way to prove himself (it didn't hurt his political career, either). He also felt the nation had grown weak and needed a fight to revitalize itself, a view shared by his friend Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Publisher William Randolph Hearst also supported the war but his motivation was to sell newspapers. The chief opposition was Thomas Reed, Speaker of the House, and the philosopher William James.

I really wanted to like this book. Having recently read a bio of Roosevelt that was so over-the-top praising and syrupy, I wanted something a little more grounded and realistic. Unfortunately, this one was the polar opposite, and Thomas seldom misses an opportunity to denigrate Roosevelt (after a child had been born in the family, he takes a cheap shot by saying "Having done his part to replenish the Anglo Saxon race..." pg 194). I'm no expert on Teddy Roosevelt, and this book could very well be accurate, but such an obvious and excessive bias doesn't ring any more realistic than the other book. All the psychoanalysis is annoying, as is Thomas' over-use of the word "effete," but my biggest complaint was that the book was just plain boring. In fact, it took four efforts to get through this book, each time a struggle (on the plus side, it's loaded with pictures). I had 2 other books on my reading list by the author - both *looked* very interesting - but I've since removed them. ( )

Ever read a book that sounded fascinating but you just can't seem to get into it? Every time you pick it up it's like drudgery, and you find your mind wandering while your eyes glaze over and keep skimming paragraphs without taking any of it in. And worst of all, you feel obligated to finish it?

The Spanish-American War (1898) has been looked upon by history as a "war of choice." There was a legitimate reason - it helped to liberate Cuba - but it was mostly pressed by several individuals eager for war. Chief among them was Theodore Roosevelt, who having grown up as a sickly child had developed into a physical and energetic (and aggressive) force, and he saw it as a way to prove himself (it didn't hurt his political career, either). He also felt the nation had grown weak and needed a fight to revitalize itself, a view shared by his friend Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Publisher William Randolph Hearst also supported the war but his motivation was to sell newspapers. The chief opposition was Thomas Reed, Speaker of the House, and the philosopher William James.

I really wanted to like this book. Having recently read a bio of Roosevelt that was so over-the-top praising and syrupy, I wanted something a little more grounded and realistic. Unfortunately, this one was the polar opposite, and Thomas seldom misses an opportunity to denigrate Roosevelt (after a child had been born in the family, he takes a cheap shot by saying "Having done his part to replenish the Anglo Saxon race..." pg 194). I'm no expert on Teddy Roosevelt, and this book could very well be accurate, but such an obvious and excessive bias doesn't ring any more realistic than the other book. All the psychoanalysis is annoying, as is Thomas' over-use of the word "effete," but my biggest complaint was that the book was just plain boring. In fact, it took four efforts to get through this book, each time a struggle (on the plus side, it's loaded with pictures). I had 2 other books on my reading list by the author - both *looked* very interesting - but I've since removed them. ( )