Has anyone used the book, Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt by George Grant? I’m wondering what you think of it for a 9th grader. My 6th & 7th graders are reading Bully For You, Teddy Roosevelt by Jean Fritz, but dd14 wants to do most of her history work on her own….instead of with “those little middle school kids,” LOL.
We’ve used it. It tends toward the very simplistic and hagiographic. If you’ve the time, a much more nuanced treatment is Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough.
Michelle, does Mornings on Horseback deal honestly with his Progressive leanings? I think as a person, there’s much about him to admire (hunting, perseverance, over-coming sickliness), but in government-not so much.
Yes, it discusses problems with his take on monopolies and stuff. One can’t really lable McCullough a flaming libertarian but while he is fairly laudatory of Roosevelt as a family man, he does make some attempt at assessing his progressive record and its effect upon the country. And makes a stab at a realistic appraisal of his “San Juan Hill” stuff, too.
Hmmm….I’ll have to pick up a copy of McCullough’s book at the library and look at it. I’m wondering how long it will take her to get through it, especially in light of the fact that I’d like to have her finish a couple of other books for Module 6 by Christmas time.