While Jeffers' book may be classified as military history, it is much more than that. Jeffers traces Ted Roosevelt's life from his days growing up the son of the flamboyant Teddy Roosevelt, adventurer, Rough Rider, and president, to his adult life which in many ways mirrors his father's life and in other ways excells beyond what his father could have hoped to accomplish.
Ted Roosevelt is frequently mentioned in histories of the Allied invasion of Normandy, but Jeffers is one of the few who makes him the focus of an entire volume. Jeffers struggled with spotty sources depending heavily on Ted's wife's autobiography and Ted's own writing. Still, he manages to put together much of the life story of this exceptional American hero. Jeffers does a fine biography, though there are some gaps in the story. Roosevelt's WWII service appears to be why most remember him, but Jeffers is unable to put together as complete a narrative as he does for other events in Ted's life. Ted's son Quentin participated in the Normandy landing as well, landing at bloody Omaha beach, but little is said of his experience on that day.
Even with weaknesses, this is a must read for WWII buffs and military historians. It is hoped that this will serve as an invitation to a more extensive work.
This book was previously released with the title "Theodore Roosevelt, Jr--the Life of a War Hero." Additional reviews are available under that title.
