Rough Riders - Large Print by Mark Lee Gardner (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The first definitive account of this legendary fighting force and its extraordinary leader, Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Lee Gardner's Rough Riders is narrative nonfiction at its most invigorating and compulsively readable. Its dramatic unfolding of a familiar, yet not-fully-known story will remind readers of James Swanson's Manhunt.

Two months after the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in February 1898, Congress authorized President McKinley to recruit a volunteer army to drive the Spaniards from Cuba. From this army emerged the legendary "Rough Riders," a mounted regiment drawn from America's western territories and led by the indomitable Theodore Roosevelt. Its ranks included not only cowboys and other westerners, but several Ivy Leaguers and clubmen, many of them friends of "TR." Roosevelt and his men quickly came to symbolize American ruggedness, daring, and individualism. He led them to victory in the famed Battle at San Juan Hill, which made TR a national hero and cemented the Rough Riders' place in history.

Now, Mark Lee Gardner synthesizes previously unknown primary accounts as well as period newspaper articles, letters, and diaries from public and private archives in Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Boston, and Washington, DC, to produce this authoritative chronicle. He breathes fresh life into the Rough Riders and pays tribute to their daring feats and indomitable leader. Gardner also explores lesser-known aspects of the story, including their relationship with the African-American "Buffalo Soldiers, with whom they fought side by side at San Juan Hill.

Rich with action, violence, camaraderie, and courage, Rough Riders sheds new light on the Theodore Roosevelt saga--and on one of the most thrilling chapters in American history.

This is the full story of the cowboys, Ivy Leaguers, and future president who defined an era.

• The Making of a President: Follow Theodore Roosevelt's meteoric rise from a determined volunteer to a national hero, cementing the leadership style that would carry him to the White House.
• Cowboys and Ivy Leaguers: Meet the fascinating cast of characters--from Western frontiersmen to East Coast elites--who forged an unbreakable bond of camaraderie in the crucible of war.
• The Battle of San Juan Hill: Experience a visceral, minute-by-minute account of the legendary charge, brought to life with previously unknown primary sources and gripping detail.
• Buffalo Soldiers: Discover the lesser-known story of the African-American soldiers who fought and bled alongside the Rough Riders, a crucial but often overlooked aspect of the campaign.

From the Back Cover

The author of the critically acclaimed To Hell on a Fast Horse and Shot All to Hell tells the rousing, action-packed story of the Rough Riders and their extraordinary leader, Theodore Roosevelt

The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in February 1898 stunned the world and triggered a war between the United States and Spain. Congress authorized President McKinley to recruit a volunteer force to help drive the Spaniards out of Cuba, and from these men emerged the legendary Rough Riders, a mounted regiment drawn from America's western territories and led by the irrepressible Theodore Roosevelt. Its ranks included not only cowboys and other Westerners, but also several Ivy Leaguers and clubmen, many of them friends of "TR." Roosevelt and his men quickly came to symbolize American ruggedness, daring, and individualism. He led them to victory in the famed Battle of San Juan Hill, which made TR a national hero and cemented the Rough Riders' place in history.

Now Mark Lee Gardner synthesizes previously unknown primary accounts--private letters, diaries, and period newspaper reports from public and private archives in Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, D.C.--to breathe fresh life into the Rough Riders and pays tribute to their daring feats and indomitable leader. Gardner also explores lesser-known aspects of the story, including the Rough Riders' relationship with the African American Buffalo Soldiers, with whom they fought side by side at San Juan Hill.

Rich with action, violence, camaraderie, and courage, Rough Riders sheds new light on the Theodore Roosevelt saga--and on one of the most thrilling chapters in American history.

Praise for Rough Riders

"Few episodes from our past have done more to capture, and shape, central themes of the American character (real and imagined) than Teddy Roosevelt's exploits with the Rough Riders. In Mark Gardner's expert hands, a great American foundation story has been brought to vivid life. In his deft reappraisal, we can see anew how these almost mythic events continue to flow, like deep wellsprings, through our national life."--Hampton Sides, New York Times bestselling author of In the Kingdom of Ice and Blood and Thunder

"Rough Riders is excellent! It's not just first-rate history, it's also a ripping yarn that shines new light on Theodore Roosevelt's extraordinary life."--Ron Hansen, author of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

"As Hollywood's resident expert on Theodore Roosevelt, I found Mark Lee Gardner's Rough Riders to be a finely honed and fresh look at this country's only 'cowboy' regiment to ever see combat. A true tribute to those 'Children of the Dragon's Blood' who charged with Roosevelt up Kettle and San Juan Hills that fateful day in 1898."--John Milius, co-screenwriter of Apocalypse Now and director of The Wind and the Lion and Rough Riders (1997 TV film), both about Roosevelt

"Gardner brings it all to life with clear, vivid prose and keen insights. You can almost smell the saddle leather and gunsmoke, hear the guidons snapping in the wind, and the bugles calling to a glorious adventure second to none. Gardner leads this literary charge--and it's indeed a grand one."--Paul Andrew Hutton, author of The Apache Wars

Review Quotes

"Rough Riders is excellent. It's not just first-rate history but a ripping yarn that shines new light on Theodore Roosevelt's extraordinary life." - Ron Hansen, author of The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

"Overflowing with intelligently packaged information about Roosevelt and his regiment, massaged into an appealing action-narrative style as instructive alike to enthusiast and newcomer as it is enjoyable to read." - Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

"Definitive." - True West

"[Gardner's] fast pace and comprehensive research... carry readers into a brief and memorable period of history." - New Mexico Magazine

"Breathes new life into [the Rough Riders' tale] through detailed research, close attention to detail, and gripping narrative. ... A worthy addition to the body of work surrounding this iconic tale of American history." - Military Heritage

"An engaging and up-to-date chronicle of the Rough Riders' saga." - The Journal of America's Military Past

"Gardner is one of this nation's premier historians of the American West." - Col. Cole C. Kingseed, USA Ret., Ph.D., Army Magazine

"There have been countless books written about various facets of Theodore Roosevelt's life, but it's unlikely that any offer the masterful mix of rousing storytelling and historical accuracy in Mark Gardner's book." - Roundup Magazine

"Gardner's account of the famous charge up San Juan Hill pulses with the kinetic confusion of men under fire. ... Gardner ably defends Roosevelt's accomplishments on the battlefield." - Newsday

"Rich in action and telling details." - Albuquerque Journal

"A thrill ride for history buffs. ... A must read for Roosevelt aficionados and those who appreciate compelling stories of military history." - USA Today

"Absorbing. ... [Gardner's] ability to recreate those weeks, in all their glory... is impressive." - Bookreporter.com

"Gardner provides some terrifying, exhilarating stories of battle... and celebrates Roosevelt." - Publishers Weekly

"Mark Lee Gardner's excellent book blends history, biography, and well-detailed combat narrative as it shows how Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders became national heroes." - Dallas Morning News

"Gardner brings the Rough Riders to life with clear, vivid prose and keen insights. You can almost smell the saddle leather and gunsmoke, hear the bugles calling to a glorious adventure second to none. Gardner leads this literary charge -- and it's indeed a grand one." - Paul Andrew Hutton, author of The Apache Wars

"Gardner delivers rousing blow-by-blow accounts of the various battles and showcases Roosevelt's hypermasculine panache." - Library Journal

"Fast-paced and thoroughly researched. ... A rousing and robust story." - Kirkus Reviews

"Gardner's book is well-researched, and his narrative is absorbing." - San Antonio Express-News

"Compelling reading. ... Gardner renders an especially authentic portrait." - HistoryNet

"Few episodes from our past have done more to capture, and shape, central themes of the American character (real and imagined) than Teddy Roosevelt's exploits with the Rough Riders. In Mark Gardner's expert hands, a great American foundation story has been brought to vivid life. In his deft reappraisal, we can see anew how these almost mythic events continue to flow, like deep wellsprings, through our national life." - Hampton Sides, New York Times bestselling author of In the Kingdom of Ice and Blood and Thunder

"Few episodes from our past have done more to capture, and shape, central themes of the American character (real and imagined) than Teddy Roosevelt's exploits with the Rough Riders. In Mark Gardner's expert hands, a great American foundation story has been brought to vivid life." - Hampton Sides, New York Times bestselling author of In the Kingdom of Ice and Blood and Thunder

"As Hollywood's resident expert on Theodore Roosevelt, I found Mark Lee Gardner's Rough Riders to be a finely-honed and fresh look at this country's only 'cowboy' regiment to ever see combat." - John Milius, co-screenwriter of Apocalypse Now and director of The Wind and the Lion and Rough Riders (1997 TV film), both about Roosevelt

"Thrilling. ... Timeless. ... A classic, inspiring biography of a true American hero." - True West

"Mark Gardner brings the Rough Riders to life with clear, vivid prose and keen insights. You can almost small the saddle leather and gunsmoke, hear the guidons snapping in the wind and the bugles calling to a glorious adventure second to none. Gardner leads this literary charge -- and it's indeed a grand one." - Paul Andrew Hutton, author of The Apache Wars