Extremely full of things that any historical fiction lover will drool over, this book is incredibly detailed. It covers a span of time where an assassination attempt takes place, and through the blended of dealing with that and just being a huge personality with a lot of interactions with a wide range of people, we learn a lot about Teddy Roosevelt, the man. The use of an incredible amount of points of view made this book difficult for me to follow. I kept thinking that I would have rather this been a movie, and I really never say that. If you're eager to learn quite a lot about this time period through the lens of MANY different perspectives and characters, then this book might appeal to you. I was interested in the story and thought it was exciting, but you really need to enjoy history to enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I did not fancy this book at all and struggled with the obligation to read it. I am a big fan of historical fiction and thought that this would be a fun read, and it was one of the first ARCs I ever received. However, it just wasn't a good fit with me. I think that it could be a good fit for historical fiction fans or those who are into US presidents, but it wasn't really my cup of tea despite liking both.

Hunting Teddy Roosevelt is about an assassination attempt on the former president while he is on safari in Africa doing hunting of his own. The idea behind the book is incredibly clever. It is also a great read on the history of a safari, the Smithsonian, and on Teddy Roosevelt. The dichotomy between the assassination attempt and Roosevelt hunting prey of his own is entertaining. The book reads like a great adventure, just how Teddy would have liked it. I loved the inclusion of real quotes from various people, Teddy included.

Thank you to Books Forward and NetGalley for my copy of this book. You can read my full review here: https://booksteahealthyme.home.blog/2020/07/31/book-review-hunting-teddy-roosevelt-by-james-a-ross/

This was a nicely written piece of historical fiction. I liked how Teddy's love of hunting was featured. It was easy to imagine him in Africa on a hunting trip encountering danger and being able to bed level-headed and well-mannered throughout. It was nice to see the author paying tribute to this great man in his writing even though it was fiction.

"There is not one among us in whom a devil does not dwell; at some time, on some point, that devil masters each of us...It is not having been in the Dark House, but having left it, that counts" - Theodore Roosevelt

It took me a bit to get into the author's writing as it was very descriptive and there was a lot going on with having several POVs, but the further I read I actually found all the moving parts to be interesting as each character had their own motivations that differed from the others. I liked watching it play out when each character tried to get what they wanted.

Margaret was one of my favorite characters as I found her strong-willed and her need to always put the story and her country above her own wants to be compelling for the plot. I also liked Dooley for some reason because although he wasn't necessarily a good person, I was sympathetic to his cause. The entire story I was half rooting for him to complete his mission and half wanting him to fail.

I could easily see this being a movie, and I think that format would work better for me as it was sometimes hard to follow along. I loved the beginning of the chapters having excerpts from Teddy's own writing or important figures at the time. I don't know much about Roosevelt so this book made me do some research on him, so I can understand more of what was fact and fiction in this story. The author did a great job of making me want to know more about the characters.

Overall, I think this story will be very enjoyable for people who are big fans of historical fiction and US presidents. It has conniving characters and steady action.

Hunting Teddy Rooosevelt is a vastly entertaining book with some history intertwined. It fictionally chronicles an African safari that Teddy Rooosevelt embarks upon with his son, Kermit, and a large group of men. The purpose of the safari is to collect specimens of exotic animals for the New York museum. However, there any many obstacles in his path. The most dangerous being that J.P. Morgan has sent an assassin to kill him, thus preventing him from running again for President and disrupting his successful business endeavors.
He also meets his match in former childhood flame and current reporter for William Randolph Hearst, Maggie Dunn. Maggie is there to get the scoop on his safari and report back on Roosevelt's presidential ambitions and current thoughts on various affairs. Along the way, they are involved with Sudanese political issues and a group of Germans on a suspicious expedition for Germany.
This book intersperses actual quotes from Teddy Roosevelt and others at the beginning of each chapter with the historical fiction it relates. It is never dull as Roosevelt’s expedition has many near death experiences with charging rhinos and marauding bands of criminals while Dooley, the hired assassin, tries on his own to kill Roosevelt. It is a quick read that entertains all the way.

I loved this book! It was impossible to put down.

Hunting Teddy Roosevelt Book Cover
Theodore Roosevelt was a legend. Some say a real-life superhero.

At the ripe age of seventeen, he was off to university leaving his first love Maggie Ryan behind. Fast forward thirty-two years and Roosevelt has finished his second presidential term. Under pressure from his family, he agrees not to seek a third term. They want their family life to return to some level of normalcy.

Days later he and his nineteen-year-old son Kermit, leave on the Smithsonian-Roosevelt African Expedition. Guarded by the Pinkerton detectives at the expense of Andrew Carnegie, the trip will take a year to complete. Joining the adventure is Teddy’s old sweetheart, Maggie, now a reporter and spy for publisher William Randolph Hearst. Sent to chronicle the safari, and covertly uncover and if possible direct the retired President’s plans for the future. Unbeknownst to anyone, J P Morgan, the nation’s most powerful financier has planted an assassin within the group to ensure Roosevelt never gets home.

Morgan wants to undo the political restrictions placed on large businesses, and completely remove their author. Meanwhile, Hearst wants to shake things up with newspaper articles that will rock the stable financial atmosphere created by Roosevelt. This he hopes will set the stage for his own run for the Presidency and the fulfillment of his own political ambitions.

The stage is set for a Bully Grand Tale of intrigue and suspense. How will the elements of this trek through the African wilderness affect Roosevelt’s future decisions? How close will he come to death as Morgan’s killer stalks his prey? Will Teddy overcome the flirtations of an old flame and keep a steady course?

Natives, wild animals, treacherous country, and a bigger than life individual make this story one awesome read. Enjoy!

So I’m assuming that this is mostly a work of fiction. Although the characters at least in part may be real, and Teddy Roosevelt very well may have travelled through Africa. I mean the part about an orchestrated assassination attempt being completely created. This tracks Teddy Roosevelt on a historic mission across Africa as he culls different animals for display at the Smithsonian. Having been in office 8 years, he’s supposed to be retired from politics, but with world affairs spiraling out of control, there is rumors that he may run for a third term. With his scruples and values he isn’t popular with the wealthy elite, and so some of the most notorious names of the time decide to have him assassinated, but made to look like an accident in Africa. They appoint a city boy named Dooley to join Teddy’s party and assassinate him quietly. Problem is Dooley is not an assassin and despite his best attempts he fails miserably. His numerous attempts are so misguided and foolish, they are almost comical. While no one is perfect, you can’t help but admire Teddy Roosevelt for his bull headed nature and sympathy with the common man. This is a fun story, that generally flowed well. Not every aspect was covered in depth, which is expected is suppose since it is relatively short. It’s a quick, entertaining read. Review posted to Facebook, Goodreads, Litsy, and LibraryThing.

Received from the author's publicist, I think this is an interesting concept (possible assassination of TR) and he handles the language of the early 1900's well. I struggled a bit with it as I found it hard to believe. Though - truth can be stranger than fiction! Teddy Roosevelt is larger than life and I found the politics of the time interesting, with the pros and cons of Roosevelt's platform put forth in an understandable way.
(not reviewed on my blog at this time)

I love historical fiction but I love it even more when it involves presidents. This was extremely interesting and well thought out. It was such a unique read and I can't wait to buy this when it comes out.

Hunting Teddy Roosevelt by Jim Ross literally "thunders" across the page. Imagining the details of a premeditated attempt on Roosevelt's life after his second term and while on an African safari, Ross builds the many-faceted character of Roosevelt in energetic prose that drives the novel forward. A novel not to be laid down once begun!

I Received a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review
This was not to my taste at all. Honestly any book where the focus isn't entirely female point of view is very disappointing but I tried to be open minded because it was about Teddy Roosevelt and I'm a great admirer of his. Unfortunately it did not meet my criteria