In the Rough Rider's Shadow: The Story of a War Hero -- Theodore Roosevelt Jr.

So much has been written about Theodore Roosevelt that one can feel like they personally know the man. Alas, TR's star was so bright that, in history's eyes, it has flashed over the lives of those close to him, especially those of his children. What is a shame is that little has been written about his namesake son, Theodore (Ted) Roosevelt, Jr. Most of what is known about him comes from anecdotes gleaned from biographies of his famous father. What was it like to live with the pressure of that famous name? Fortunately, author H. Paul Jeffers has taken the separate scraps of knowledge about Ted Roosevelt and crafted a relatively absorbing biography of a man who, it can be argued, was the equal of a his father on many levels. "In the Rough Rider's Shadow" is a very appropriate title because it describes how Ted Roosevelt had lived most of his life. What Jeffers is able to reveal is a very accomplished man who bore the name Theodore Roosevelt as a mark of honor instead of a burden. Ted's path in life was not dissimilar to his father's. He attended Harvard, and while not the other-worldly student that his father was, still graduated with honors. He served in the United States Army bravely in the Great War and with conspicuous gallantry in World War II (earning the Congressional Medal of Honor). He was an admired family man who was a loving husband and caring father. He even developed a love of outdoor expeditions that his father was so famous for. The only real difference between the two men was that Ted didn't have the love of politics that TR did. He served a few terms in the New York Assembly before an unsuccessful bid for the 1924 New York governorship. After that, he was through running for elected office. Instead, he did wonderful work in appointed positions such as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (once again emulating his father) and colonial governor in both Puerto Rico and the Phillipines.Most of what is known about Ted Roosevelt comes from the movie "The Longest Day" where his bravery on Utah Beach (which earned him the Medal of Honor) during D-Day was portrayed by Henry Fonda. Because the book is less than 300 pages, the reader is not able to develop a close connection with Ted the way one could with his father via such remarkable books at Edmund Morris' "Theodore Roosevelt" saga. Still, thanks to Jeffers research and the assistance of a wonderful memoir by Ted's wife, Eleanor (not THAT Eleanor Roosevelt), we are able to get a little closer to a remarkable man.

As the son of a former president, Ted Roosevelt, Jr. could have chosen just about any life for himself. The life he chose was one which placed him in the service of his country. Ted was the only American general on the Normandy beaches on D-Day and led his troops to succeed in their mission. (Henry Fonda portrayed Roosevelt in the Longest Day recreating his participation in the Utah Beach landing.)While Jeffers' book may be classified as military history, it is much more than that. Jeffers traces Ted Roosevelt's life from his days growing up the son of the flamboyant Teddy Roosevelt, adventurer, Rough Rider, and president, to his adult life which in many ways mirrors his father's life and in other ways excells beyond what his father could have hoped to accomplish.Ted Roosevelt is frequently mentioned in histories of the Allied invasion of Normandy, but Jeffers is one of the few who makes him the focus of an entire volume. Jeffers struggled with spotty sources depending heavily on Ted's wife's autobiography and Ted's own writing. Still, he manages to put together much of the life story of this exceptional American hero. Jeffers does a fine biography, though there are some gaps in the story. Roosevelt's WWII service appears to be why most remember him, but Jeffers is unable to put together as complete a narrative as he does for other events in Ted's life. Ted's son Quentin participated in the Normandy landing as well, landing at bloody Omaha beach, but little is said of his experience on that day.Even with weaknesses, this is a must read for WWII buffs and military historians. It is hoped that this will serve as an invitation to a more extensive work.This book was previously released with the title "Theodore Roosevelt, Jr--the Life of a War Hero." Additional reviews are available under that title.