The Lion's Pride:
Theodore Roosevelt and His Family in Peace and War

Edward J. Renehan

Theodore Roosevelt had a fierce sense of patriotism, loyalty, and battle. He volunteered for the Spanish American War. He helped support the Rough Riders monetarily as well as mentally. He brought this sense of responsibility and pride back to his family. His four sons, Theodore Jr., Archie, Kermit, and Quentin, followed in his steps, joining World War I. Quentin died in that war, but the other three went on to take part in World War II as well.

The Lion's Pride recounts Theodore Roosevelt's family life in politics, war, peace, and relationships. It is a biography that reaches back to Roosevelt's parents and on through his grandchildren. His presidency is only lightly touched upon - mainly on how the children lived and were affected by life in the White House in the early 1900's. Life in the White House was open and free then without the security system that later was implemented.

Author Edward J. Renehan researched newly discovered and donated letters and documents from the Roosevelt family to write this biography of the Roosevelt family. It goes through World War II, with an additional brief section on the further lives of this generation of the family. It is readable and interesting. This book shows how dynamic Roosevelt was as well as how giving the man was. Many of these qualities were passed on to his children.

This is an interesting book with a good picture of Republican American politics and an influential family of the time from the early to mid 1900's.