The Rough Riders

Modern Library puts out some of the greatest book ever written. This is no different. Roosevelts account of his Rough Riders days jump off the page like a great fiction book. He discribes how he left the Navy Department and volunteered to serve in the Spanish American War. He discribes all of the charactors who served in the famed regiments that made up the Rough Riders. Some we College Graduate, some were cattle rustlers, farmers, etc. A real bunch of misfits. I like his attention to detail and all the researchable facts. There is a list of all the men who served as Rough Riders. This is recomended for anyone who likes history, the Spanish American War, and Theodore Roosevelt. I happen to like all three.

"The Rough Riders," by Theodore Roosevelt, is the author's memoir of his experiences as part of the First United States Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish-American War. The book's title comes from the nickname earned by the unit. The copyright page notes that the text was originally published in 1899. TR tells about the recruitment and training of the Rough Riders, their voyage to Cuba, their battles, and their return home. Much of the book concerns what, in TR's opinion, makes for good soldiers and good leaders. Although the book first appeared over a century ago, I found many of TR's observations startlingly relevant to contemporary warfare; he discusses wartime refugees, guerrilla warfare, wartime atrocities, and battlefield news correspondents. Other topics covered include illness among the troops and the impact of weather and terrain on warfare. He also discusses occasional humorous material, such as the nicknames some soldiers earned. Roosevelt includes fascinating technical details about the weapons of this era. Although he frankly discusses the violence, wounds, and deaths of the battlefield, overall I got a sense that TR saw the war as a grand adventure-even fun on a certain level. The writing style is very engaging and has a clear, matter-of-fact quality. TR's admiration and love for his troops ultimately gives the book a real warmth and humanity. This is truly a landmark in the rich canon of American military memoirs.

They came from all over the United States and the Western Territories. They were Ivy Leaguers, Cowboys, Indians, Sheriffs, Outlaws, Civil War veterans, Indian fighters, businessmen. Men like Allyn Capron, Buckey O'Neill, (future Secretary of the Navy) Frank Knox, Hamilton Fish, the famed Indian fighter Leonard Wood, and of course the bespectacled Assistant Secretary of the Navy, former New York Police Commissioner and sometime cowboy named Theodore Roosevelt. The "Rough Riders" is Roosevelt's classic story of these highly motivated volunteers who eagerly volunteered to fight in the Spanish-American war, and whom many, including the regular army officer Capron, the Arizona sheriff O'Neill, Fish and others paid the ultimate price. And not all of the nearly 1000 men who volunteered ever made it over to Cuba. Several troops, to their everlasting sorrow, and nearly all of the horses had to stay in Tampa, the port of embarkation, because of a lack of troopships. Roosevelt tells the entire story, which helped catapult him to the Presidency, of the feisty former Confederate Cavalry commander Joseph Wheeler, who commanded all of the volunteer cavalry, and who, to the amusement of his men, blurted out at Las Guismas, "We've got the damn Yankees on the run" - momentarily lapsing into Chickamauga, not Cuba!, and of how San Juan Hill was stormed and captured under intense fire from Spanish rifles, gatling guns, and cannon, and giving praise not just to his own men, but to the accompanying Black Cavalrymen of the 9th and 10th cavalry, and of the regular infantry units that were involved in the operation. The colorful and fact-based story of brave American men who fought for the freedom of others, now sadly under totalitarian rule. A Classic slice of Americana written by one of America's best.

The 1st USV (the Rough Riders) has to be one of the most interesting units in US military history. The collection of characters who filled its ranks could spawn dozens of other titles. This book is WELL written by Teddy Roosevelt, one of our most colorful persidents, is a frank and great account of the life of this unit. I found it quite enjoyable, and didn't feel that the book was TR blowing his own horn, he cared very much for his men and this shows through in this book. A must for any history buff.

My grandfather was a member of Troop A of the Rough Riders and wrote a series of articles for our local newspaper (Champaign, IL) on his experiences. After reading his comments and then reading the book written by Roosevelt I know first hand that Col. Roosevelt told it like it was. "Rough" was putting it mildly. My grandfather survived but had re-occurring bouts of maleria throughout his life. I transcribed his accounts into a family album for my children and grandchildren so he would not be forgotten. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone wanting to learn about our history.