No one does it better that Jeff Shaara. When it comes to bringing historical figures and events to life, he shines. As a history major and history lover, I thought I knew a great deal about Theodore Roosevelt. I wasn't totally wrong. Being familiar with his life and times, however, was nothing like seeing it through the eyes of Roosevelt.

True, this is historical fiction, but Shaara backs his story with solid research. You'll feel like you're there, whether through the eyes of the young, terrified boy who feels every breath he takes may be his last. Asthma had him in its grip as a young man and treatments were not only often vomit inducing but painful to the then frail Roosevelt. His father's suggestion that he fight back by making himself stronger, not to mention take up boxing, colored much of his early life. You'll feel his desire to make his father proud.

Later, you're there with him then, just as you are when he loses both his wife and mother on the same day. You'll join him on horseback in the Badlands, during the height of his military fame, as he rears his own family, and enters politics. Most notably, you'll probably understand why many of his political foes wished he'd stayed in the Badlands. You campaign with him, knowing what it's like to be the target of an assassin. You'll travel with him to Panama. You'll feel his ever growing weakness as pain invades, pain only adding to his despair at the loss of his son Quinton in WWI.

That's really only skimming the surface of Roosevelt's eventful, meaningful life. Shaara does an excellent job putting you in his shoes, letting you feel his pain/hopes/triumphs/and more, allowing you to see it all through the eyes of Roosevelt himself. I first encountered a Shaara book while seeking insight into the Battle of Gettysburg as part of my family roots search. I'm delighted to have run into him again and the sometimes exasperating, always amazing Theodore Roosevelt. As is probably obvious, I highly recommend you read this one.

Thank you #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for reminding me what I've been missing by not reading a Jeff Shaara book for, well, too long

A departure from the author's "usual" books. As if any of his books can be considered "usual"! Shaara is one of the best authors writing today. His ability to tell a story, backed up by incredible research, is unreal. I have read all of his books (and his father's). Never have I been disappointed.
This time, Shaara steps out and concentrates on just one character, Theodore Roosevelt. So much has been written about TR, but I don't think ever from a "historical fiction" angle. Shaara takes you deep into the mind of Roosevelt, exposing his confidence, his bluster, his doubts, his thinking, his pain. It's just incredible! I have said it before about his books, but I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN! It's the book of the year for me. Reminds me of Goodwin's Team of Rivals, which is extremely high praise! I sincerely hope that Shaara continues writing in this vein, there are so many interesting Presidents he could write about. And generals, and congressman, and on and on. Better get busy, Mr. Shaara, I'm waiting very impatiently for the next book! Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and advance reading copy of this book.

The Old Lion: A Novel of Theodore Roosevelt
by Jeff Shaara is an excellent historical fiction biography that gives us an insight into one of the most beloved Presidents.

This book is just wonderful. Mr. Shaara doesn’t do what others have done before by creating another nonfiction account of the former President. What he crafts is a wonderful, engaging, realistic, and entertaining novel in the voice of former President Roosevelt himself.

Through this book, we can get a better feel of the human side of the man, not just the facts and dry details of his life, troubles, triumphs, and accomplishments…but the mind behind it. The emotions, the love, the passion, the loss, the drive, and through this, we can better appreciate the man himself….not just the myths, legends, statistics, and facts…but the real core…

Just great!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/16/23.

5 stars

What a wonderful book! Jeff Shaara once again demonstrates his remarkable talent for creating and recreating lives. In this novel he tells the reader about the colorful life of Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt.

I wish I could have met Teddy Roosevelt. He has always been one of my favorite presidents. He had an extreme affinity for nature and created many national parks and created the governmental body that oversees them. His time as a soldier in the Spanish-American War made him a national hero. He overcame childhood asthma through sheer strength of will and vigorous exercise. His love of his father and his own family was heartwarming to read. He was unpopular for his stance on granting equal rights to women.

As the President, he moved the United States forward into the industrial revolution.

He was often loud and sometimes said unfortunate things, but always spoke his mind. He was a great man at a time when the US needed his guidance.

I cannot say enough about this wonderful novel. I truly enjoyed reading it. Mr. Shaara is a wonderful writer who can create brilliant pictures with his words. Whether he is talking about a person, nature or society, he gives the reader a first row seat to the action. I have read all of his - and his father’s - books, and will continue to do so. I have seldom run across such a talented man.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for forwarding to me a copy of this remarkable book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Another outstanding historical fiction presentation about one our country’s beloved figures. No on does it better than Jeff Shaara when bringing to life history’s notables. He captured Roosevelt’s charm, his boisterousness, his sometimes overwhelming personality, but at the same time readers will see the vulnerability of a young man who so wanted to please his father. His love of nature and his determination to safeguard the natural resources are on full display. Teddy Roosevelt deserved his place on Mt. Rushmore.

TR has to be one of the most fascinating and colorful characters in our nation's history. The body of information that is out there on him is volumous. How does one separate the myth form the legend? The author has managed to do just that. In this expansive narrative of TR, the author has captured the essence of his life by giving us fact and sprinkling it with the sparkle that was part of the allure if him. Thanks Net Galley for this opportunity.

The author does an amazing job of bringing to life the bigger than life Teddy Roosevelt. Mixing tremendous research with his own creativity, he produces a story destined to be another masterpiece.