Reviews for The Real Jefferson Davis

The average rating for The Real Jefferson Davis based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-04-01 00:00:00 John D Elmstedt Jr Where to begin?! Firstly; I loved this book right from the get-go. It oozes that Roosevelt spirit; the thrill seeker, the adventurer, the hunter, the romper, the reader, the horseman, and more. But it also revealed things far more valuable and more educational: his absolute love and devotion to his wife and to their many children. The man who walked softly and carried a big stick also frequently engaged in pillow fights, races, sports, and more with his children. He gave them life instruction, relayed interesting and amusing stories, and shared his ups and his downs with them. He was never shy about his love and affection for his family. His heart ached while away from them, and he reveled in the advancement and enjoyment of their lives, individually and as a whole family unit. The book features several dozen short letters. Most are only a few paragraphs long (with a small amount spanning a few pages). Some feature TR's own doodles and cartoons. Teddy has a unique and lively vocabulary. My particular copy was gifted to me by my sister Andrea and her husband Brandon; it's an antique, published in 1919 and is a 2nd hand copy. All of which makes it more valuable. The best part is what is never actually mentioned but is supremely evident throughout this book: Teddy Roosevelt was and continues to be a giant of American history. His contributions to this country are vast and ever looming. But if you had never known TR before reading this book, you'd take him for an ordinary man who loved nature, loved his friends, but above all, loved his family to pieces. The lesson, to me at least, is that a person (in this case, a man, husband and father) can leave a huge mark on the world (assumedly, a good mark!) AND be a faithful and devoted family man. If Teddy could do it, the rest of us have no excuses… I'd recommend this to anyone, but in particular new fathers!

Review # 2 was written on 2019-07-18 00:00:00 Susan Singer As busy as he was with being President Of the United States, he took time to be genuinely interested in his children, their pets and projects; and encouraging and enjoying them. He used the word "cunning" quite often, but he didn't realize that the letters would be collected and put into one book. Not only a treasure to his progeny, this book is a wonderful read for families. Although not a history book, it does shed fascinating first-hand light on events as the 19th century turned to the 20th.