re: #245 Feline Fearless Leader

For major historical figures I tend to allow for longer biographies (or multi-volume) in order to give the author the chance to spend time on the upbringing and developing years of the figure that shorter works cut out. TR deserves this in spades due to some of his youthful adventures.

As a comparison there is a one volume version of Freeman’s biography of Robert E Lee. Freeman’s full biography is four volumes and is much more extensive on Lee’s early life and initial military career. It’s also a bit more of a slog to read through.

I also liked David Herbert Donald’s biography of Lincoln (1996). In that Lincoln wasn’t elected President until about 320 pages in. A lot of background supplied to show what the man was like before he assumed that office and started making major decisions that would affect the entire country.

I recently found William T. Sherman’s memoirs on Project Gutenberg. A very interesting read.