Edith Kermit Roosevelt: Portrait of a First Lady (Modern Library (Paperback))

“Edith Kermit Roosevelt: Portrait of a First Lady” by Sylvia J. Morris has newly discovered information. Morris has done extensive research for this book. The book reveals information from newly discovered letters and documents as well as the 50 plus years of diaries that Edith kept. Morris paints an intimate picture of Edith K. Roosevelt and her lifelong relationship with Theodore Roosevelt. They had known each other from early childhood.Morris weaves an interesting tale based on the new information about how two strong willed persons of opposing personalities thrived in a successful marriage. Edith was a private person and destroyed most of her letters and encouraged TR and other people she corresponded with to destroy her letters: lucky for us many did not destroy them.Edith was often the mother and father to her large family of children and pets as TR often left for months at a time on hunting trips, safaris and political campaigns. EKR took over managing the family finances as she claimed TR was too impulsive with money. Apparently she was an excellent accountant and investor of their monies. The author paints EKR as an intelligent, well educated, skilled manager and highly organized. Her skills at organization were critical to managing a large family, constant guests and the White House. Morris states she acquired experience in balancing political and family obligation as First Lady of New York that she put to excellent use in the White House.I have read many books about Theodore Roosevelt but this book looks at TR and family from a different viewpoint that of a lifelong friend and wife, Edith. Morris does not down play the jealousy Edith felt for Alice (the first wife). Edith had turned down a proposal of marriage from TR prior to his marriage to Alice.The author reveals how much EKR enjoyed living in the Governor’s mansion when TR was governor of New York. She apparently enjoyed being the First Lady of New York. Morris shows how reading was so important to both the Roosevelts and to their close friends. They had many long discussions about books. She helped TR proof the books he wrote as well as provide some input.I had recently read “Nellie Taft” by Carl Sferrezza Anthony. Anthony had discussed throughout the book how Nellie hated and distrusted Edith K. Roosevelt thereby providing a different viewpoint of EDR albeit a distorted viewpoint. I did note while reading the book that EDR behaved in a gracious lady like manner at all times to Mrs. Taft.I find it interesting to gradually discover a person in history by reading many books from a certain timeframe and piecing the picture together from the various viewpoints. If you are interested in the Roosevelt family and or TR you will find this book full of interesting information. The e-book was 608 pages with pictures. I read it on my Kindle app for my iPad.

I knew nothing about Edith and the family she presided over. Unfortunately history offers very little information about the First Family, and politics and media provide questionable insight into the president. This book gives so much of Edith and Theodore as children that we can appreciate the powerful and loving relationship they shared. They were effective parents, and had lasting effects on each of their children. A family deserving lasting respect. I also appreciate the deeper understanding of Theodore Roosevelt, the man.

Chosen for .... my own research paper....I am in awe of the vast research, Sylvia Morris, put forth ...My initial motive was to speed read...but I found myself going back and reading again, and treating it with pleasure....thinking perhaps I might miss something..thoroughly enjoyed this book...EKR was far more than I had ever imagined....most touching, witty, "little bitchy", composed, intelligent, fighter, frugal, philanthropist, athletic, "stand by your man" and best of all..."there's always a great woman behind a great man".....wish my own Mother were here to hear her views on her...Would I suggest this book?......Only if they had the same likes as myself...

I enjoyed this book but there were many chapters and large chunks of time when I forgot this was supposed to be Edith's story because so much of it is really focused on TR. Fortunately I have always enjoyed reading about him. Probably because she was so exceedingly private by nature and committed so little to paper for posterity and most of the personal writings that did exist were destroyed at her request or by her own hand, I suppose it was necessary to incorporate so much of her husband's story to create a full length book. Fortunately she was a prolific letter writer and those with whom she corresponded didn't share her view that nothing should remain behind. And in the author's defense, their lives were so intertwined starting in childhood and forever dominated by his larger than life personality, there really wasn't much of 'her' that didn't include 'him', so it makes sense that there wasn't much material exclusive to Mrs. Roosevelt during much of her adult life. There are some passages referencing people and events now a century in the past that could have used some elaboration for context and clarity, and quite a few diary entries in French and Latin that the author doesn't translate which rendered their inclusion useless for those who don't speak those languages. And also more than a few uses of French words and phrases sprinkled throughout the text, which struck me as a little pretentious, but overall a good look at a woman who seems to have purposely chosen to be lost to time despite the remarkable role she played and the truly unique historical time in which she lived. Just be forewarned that until the final chapters, encompassing the time following his death, this is without question the President's story and Mrs. Roosevelt is just along for the ride.

The content of this book is wonderful and fascinating. Edith Kermit Roosevelt had a long and often painful life, but one she bore with dignity and courage. There is enough History to keep me happy, and the human element is is forceful. My problem was with the lack of editing. We pay a fair amount for our Kindle books, and deserve a better read. It gets tiresome having to sift through the content trying to determine which word the author meant to use. This happens too often with the Kindle books, and Amazon should be ashamed to put forth this kind of a mess.