Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exhange for an honest review. I read a lot of books, historical and historical fiction, about the US Presidents. While policies are important in any coverage of such a book, what always fascinates me the most is learning about the real human person someone was. What kind of morals did they have? What did they stand for and against? How were the raised and raised their own children? What was the world like in their living years? Make it personal and I'm going to be engaged with the reading. I've also read three other books now about Teddy Roosevelt and I liked them all. However I believe I had the most fun with this one. This book has a focus on the women in Teddy's life and how they impacted who he was as a person and as a leader. I learned some things I didn't know before, such as some parts of his courtship of his first wife, and some really interesting tidbits about his friendship and eventual marriage to his second wife. And I love the stories about his daughter Alice and even if I've read them before, I get joy out of reading about them again.... "I can run the country or control Alice. I can't possibly do both!" This is an easy book to get into and enjoy even if you are not an avid reader of history. I am glad to add this one to my list of favorites.

Thank you to NetGalley, publisher and the author for an eARC.

Brilliantly done, informative, and very well written. I am so glad I got a chance to read this book.

In this excellent biography of Mittie Roosevelt, Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt, Bamie and Conie Roosevelt, and Edith Roosevelt, O’keefe brings Theodore Roosevelt’s mother, sisters, wives, and eldest daughter to life. Giving these important and educated women a central place in the 26th president’s life, O’Keefe focuses on the lives of these women and where their influence appears in Theodore Roosevelt’s life and career. Focusing on how these women’s stories interact and intersect with each other and with Theodore Roosevelt, this complex narrative highlights their centrality to his life and appropriately acknowledges their importance. A distinctly different approach from other biographies of Roosevelt (which focus on his hypermasculinity and macho-ness), these women’s roles and O’Keefe’s analytical lens create a new perspective for viewing Roosevelt which could easily apply to the stories of other prominent men from history. O’Keefe’s prose is engaging and descriptive, supplemented by historical documentation, and this book is readable for historians and casual fans alike. Books such as this are critical to reinterpreting history and giving women close to power their due diligence in the historical record. While Roosevelt’s wives often get covered in biographies about him, his mother and sisters are less documented, and O’Keefe does an excellent job including Mittie, Bamie, and Conie Roosevelt throughout this book and his life.

I want to thank Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Publishing for a copy of this book.

O’Keefe has written an excellent biography of Theodore Roosevelt. Integrating personal events, first-hand sources, and providing historical context he paints a vivid picture of his subject. The book is written to follow Roosevelt from childhood to his time as a wayward college student to Roosevelt's rise to the highest levels of political power in the United States. If you are interested in Roosevelt and USA history this is an excellent read. However, if I am honest, I struggled with this book. While it is well written and the amount of research that went into this book is truly something to be commended, I did not feel that it was entirely what the title and blurb advertised. I wanted to learn more about the women who had important roles in Roosevelt’s life and political career but often felt that they were lost in the historical facts and Roosevelt’s thoughts. My struggles were compounded by the fact that I found everyone central to this book is inherently unlikable, which is nearly the exact opposite of what O’Keefe believes.

The focus of this book is Roosevelt and his place in history and how people and events shaped his worldview. While some interesting sections focus on how these women contributed to events, they are far from the focus of these sections or the book. They do make more of an appearance in the later part of the book when Roosevelt is ill and after his death, but it takes a long time to get to that part.

My favourite part was the sections that discussed Roosevelt’s courting of Alice Hathaway Lee and Edith Kermit Carow. I have read about Edith before, but this was my first exposure to Alice and the way that she became the wife of Roosevelt. These sections of the book made me dislike Roosevelt even more as the book went on. In many descriptions, it felt like he was spiteful toward Edith and then love-bombed Alice because he liked her family and she was just the gateway he could use to become a member of the family. O’Keefe also continues to highlight how Edith felt some level of anger that Roosevelt married Alice at all, and it truly felt like there was an insidious component to this dynamic that is entirely lost to history. Yes, Edith could have simply been jealous, but it’s clear from the evidence presented by O’Keefe that something happened with Edith that hurt Roosevelt's pride and that is why he even started to pursue Alice.

Furthermore, in many sections, it felt a bit that Edith’s impact was undercut and that she was not discussed in a well-rounded fashion throughout the book. Many of the sources highlight the support of her husband’s decisions and while I do not doubt that she did support Roosevelt’s decisions to varying degrees some of the situations seem a bit like she just acquiesced to Roosevelt’s desires. For instance, she has a baby and experiences a complication. Roosevelt then decides that this is an excellent time to fight in Cuba. However, before disembarking Edith comes from her sick bed to see her husband and “give her blessing” to Roosevelt going off to fight. O’Keefe then argues that Roosevelt goes off knowing he had Edith’s support, but then quotes that Roosevelt had every intention of fighting even if his wife (and son who was also ill) might have died. Perhaps it is because no first-hand accounts of the sources survive, but the picture of Edith in this book is that she was overbearing to Roosevelt and highly influential, but it didn’t read that way. One thing that is clear about Edith is that she did not enjoy the spotlight as much as her in-laws did and because she had a strong personality people may have read a bit too much into her influence or motivations.
I did appreciate how O’Keefe did not shy away from the fact that Roosevelt’s wives and sisters played an important role in his political career, even if they were not the central focus. However, their overall impact feels rather glossed over in many sections. For example, Conie’s, his sister's, influence is hardly mentioned in great detail until the last two chapters of the book. Discussing her within the context of events, Conie is highlighted as being present for meetings that Roosevelt had as governor and that she married a man she did not love. Most of her appearances are in quotes from her book about her brother. Therefore, it feels as if Conie may have played a greater role in the legacy of her brother rather than having an impact during Roosevelt’s career. In many ways, Conie is eclipsed by Bamie, Roosevelt's older sister. Arguably played a greater role in Roosevelt’s political rise as she was unmarried for a longer period of her life and was physically located closer to Roosevelt. I would argue that the interplay between Bamie and Roosevelt in the pursuit of politics was the only real relationship to highlight how Roosevelt had the support of women in his pursuits.

O’Keefe also seems to undercut the book's central argument that these women helped make Roosevelt president, by highlighting that neither his sisters nor his wife wanted him to take the Vice President nomination. Granted the assassination of McKinley thrust Roosevelt into the presidency, but it highlighted something that I felt throughout the book, that the women in Roosevelt’s life were simply trying to make lemonade out of the lemons that Roosevelt continued to hand them. Especially since Roosevelt tended to run when confronted with grief. (See Bamie raising her niece Alice Lee Roosevelt while Roosevelt went off to farm in North Dakota.)

Overall, if you are interested in learning about Theodore Roosevelt and/or the history of the United States during his lifetime I would highly recommend this book. O’Keefe accomplishes the hard task of balancing personal interest in the subject matter and evaluating the person’s flaws, successes, and motivations. However, if you want to learn about the Roosevelt women you might be a little disappointed by reading this particular book as they are more supporting characters rather than the focus of this book.

Content Warnings
Graphically described in the text: Alcoholism, Death, Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, War, Racial slurs, Racism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Terminal illness, Cursing, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Animal death, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Death of a parent, Genocide, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Addiction
Moderately described in text: Drug use and Slavery

Thank you Simon Books #partner, for the finished copy of The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt in exchange for my honest review.

As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I’m a huge fan of anything related to the Roosevelts, especially Teddy Roosevelt and I loved that this book in particular focused on the women who had an impact in his life. I love going deep into the lives of those who shape our leaders and this one ended up being just as fascinating and insightful as I hoped!

This book focuses on the strong women that Theodore Roosevelt was lucky to have in his life and how they helped shape him to be the man he ultimately ended up becoming. We learn a bit about his mother, Mittie; his first love and wife, Alice; his older sister, Bamie; his younger sister, Conie; and his second wife, Edith. I had come into this book already knowing a bit about Alice, having already read a historical fiction book about Teddy and her love, which I really loved. The other women I had a passing knowledge of and loved learning more about them. And I loved how Teddy wasn’t afraid to lean on these women, especially his sisters, when he was running for office or in office.

This book was very readable and engaging. It also has me wanting to do deep dives on each of the women themselves, which I love! I’m so glad to have this one in my collection…and I highly recommend picking it up!

The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President
by Edward F. O'Keefe

Biography ~ POTUS ~ Family ~ Upper class New York City ~ Gilded Age ~ Love ~ Strong Women ~ Tragedy ~ Politics ~ Dakotas ~ First Loves ~ Sisters ~ US history ~ Bit slow in places ~ Well-researched ~ Recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC; all opinions are my own.

I went into this already knowing a good bit about TR and the women in his life, but this just added to that. I studied TR in college as a history major and he has always been my favorite president. Seeing the way the women shaped his life and made him who he was, was very interesting to me. The book is formatted well and read easy. Sometimes it did feel a little slow, but never made me loose interest. Anyone who likes TR or is interested in history should read this book.

Loved the historical details and deep dive into the women who made Theodore Roosevelt into the larger-than-life president who looms large in history. He was surrounded by women who shaped and molded him into a man who could endure immense pain and suffering, both physically and mentally. The women behind the making of a president don't get enough praise, and I am glad the author chose to highlight these formidable women in their own right!

As a presidential history nerd for practically my entire life, I felt like this book was written just for me. In phenomenal prose, O'Keefe deconstructs and reconstructs one of the titans of American history, using the (often) unsung women in his life as the scaffolding. What a brilliant bit of authorial magic! If you are seeking to understand Roosevelt better, or the world-shaking century he helped usher in, read this book now!

THE LOVES OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT is a new book in which Edward F. O'Keefe chooses to tell the story of this influential President by focusing on five women who greatly shaped him. First, there is Roosevelt's mother, Mittie, a resilient Southern belle transplanted to New York and living there during the American Civil War. Two sisters, nicknamed Bamie and Conie, were sources of strength during his childhood illnesses and also surprising sources of political advice throughout his career. It is said of Bamie that had she been a man, she would have been President instead of TR. And then there are Roosevelt's two wives. Alice, who died tragically at twenty-two years old just days after giving birth to their first child, is portrayed in part through correspondence in newly found love letters which O'Keefe discovered when researching this text. TR's second wife, Edith Kermit Carow, is often credited with developing the role of America's First Lady and noted for her ability to guide TR without him realizing it.

O'Keefe also reflects on the ways in which Roosevelt's time parallels our own: massive technology changes (e.g., airplanes, driving in cars, electricity), plus evolution from an agrarian to more industrial society, accompanied by a wave of immigration, debates on rights for women, and resulting effects on cultural norms. Readers will enjoy this text because of - and despite - its brimming with obscure facts and details. The length (over 460 pages) may be a bit daunting as well. However, O’Keefe clearly admires Roosevelt and this unique perspective is a labor of love, adding to the stellar writing by historians like Edmund Morris and David McCullough. An interview with the author is available from PBS NewsHour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k246J9QG9ok

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy of The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt by Edward F. O'Keefe. This book is all about the amazing women in Teddy's life.

I love Presidential biographies and Teddy is one of my favorite Presidents so seeing a book focused on the women in Teddy's life I was intrigued. I already love his daughter Alice and knew a little about his first wife Alice, so I was excited to read more about Roosevelt's mom Mittie, his older sister Bamie, younger sister Conie and second wife Edith.

I found this book interesting and engaging. I really enjoyed learning more about Bamie and Conie's influence and how much he relied on Bamie's advice as one of his key advisors and that Conie served as his Press Secretary before the role even existed.

I was impressed with the author's research - he is the CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation.

If you're a history, presidential or TR fan you'll enjoy this book!

I enjoy reading about our historic Presidents and Theodore Roosevelt is one of my favorite subjects. I was very interested in reading this particular book due to the author's prestigous position. The author is particulary well versed in Roosevelt history as he is the CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation . His research here is exemplary. This reader appreciates the time and research the author put into writing this book. This is outstanding work.
Thank you to the publisher, to Net Galley and to the author for the opportunity for review. My review opinons are my own.

This book is fascinating as it features the women who shaped his life. From his Mother Mittie who was a independent thinker and brave enough to stand up for her beliefs in her time. Then to his sisters who influenced Roosevelt politically and otherwise. He had strong intelligent outspoken women in his upbringing. You are given a sense of where he gained his compassion, care for the enviornment and passion for causes he believed in. I appreciate how the author features the women each indepedent of each other and their profound impact on Roosevelt . This gives them a rightful p[ace in history that they are deserving of. His two wives are featured of their contributions especially his first wife who is often forgetten in history.

I found this book a exemplary historical read and highlly recommend this body of work for all who enjoy Roosevelt and our early Presidential history. Well done to the author and thank you.

The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President is a wonderful book about this president and those who were close to him. Five stars.

This is a thorough and meticulously researched biography. For me, it was just too much. The amount of detail bogged down the story, and it didn’t engage my interest. It just wasn’t a good fit for me. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

An interesting and comprehensive look at the women in Teddy Roosevelt’s life. I throughly enjoyed this book. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've read a LOT about the Roosevelt family, and I'm happy to say that more attention is being paid to the women in Theodore's life, who helped shape him. First, there was his mother, Mittie Bulloch Roosevelt, who is said to have been the inspiration for Scarlett O'Hara. It's also been said that TR was more a Bulloch than a Roosevelt.

Then there are his strong-willed sisters, Bamie and Corinne. Many who met her said Bamie could have been President. Both sisters would prove to be good sounding boards as Theodore rose in the ranks of political positions. Their influence is finally being looked at because TR was quite progressive for his time.

Both of Roosevelt's wives' effect on his life are explored. I'm glad more attention is being paid to Alice, his first wife, who died tragically after giving birth to her namesake. Most biographers gloss over the relationship and focus on her death. As for Edith, Teddy's lifelong love, she does not come across all too well, implying that she kept Theodore from his sisters and their influence.

This is not the first book I've read that revisits Roosevelt's history and takes a closer look at the women in his life and is an admirable work to add to the Roosevelt library.

The subtitle of the book describes the contents. I have read several biographies of Theodore Roosevelt covering his entire life or specific such as Mexican American War, Amazon River, his lifelong interest in Conservation, etc. This is the first that has focused on the women in his life versus them playing a smaller role in other biographies. The author presents a well written and researched history of the role that his mother, wives and sisters played in his life and the development of his character. This is well worth the read especially for those interested in the live of Theodore Roosevelt.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page.

Edward F. O'Keefe's The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt is a well-researched and unique insight into some of the key players into the character and actions of President Theodore Roosevelt. O'Keefe starts off with Roosevelt's parents, grandparents, etc. to set the stage for his birth and early life. After the introduction of his family history, it follows Roosevelt through his life and the women whom he loved including his sisters, mother, friends, and lovers. It details the sway that the women surrounding Roosevelt had on his opinions and actions in politics and throughout his life.

Although I am an admirer of Teddy Roosevelt in regards to his progressive thoughts and actions regarding the environment, I knew very little about himself and his life. This probably wasn't the best book to start in terms of getting to know the man, but it was a fascinating read that displays a different side of the president and the impact others made on his life. His sisters, wives, and mother were obviously strong, determined, and incredibly intelligent women who shaped Roosevelt and American politics in a way few realize.

It is a great read for anyone interested in women's history, Theodore Roosevelt, and the Gilded Age-era politics.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

I felt this book was well researched and showed a portrait of a visionary president and the women he loved .
It was a good informative read .

Im usually intimidated when it comes to books of this genre but I must say I was fully immersed and the writing style was not just informational but it had a story like flow that held my attention. It had wit, it was easily digestible and Im glad to have learned the woman who shaped Theodore Roosevelt. I particularly loved all the quotes before each chapter. Thank you Simon & Schuster, NetGalley and Edward O'Keefe for this advance copy in exchange for honest review.