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"The Naturalist:Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of American Natural..." Book Review

406LIFE

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"The Naturalist:Theodore Roosevelt and the Rise of American Natural..." Book Review

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Tracing the development of TR's interest in the natural world, this is a good read (full disclosure, I listened to it on Audible) for those looking for insight into why/how TR thought. Other aspects of TR's life (politics, family, college, etc.) are passing references. The author begins with him in his infirm state and how he saw a seal in a window and moved from there into collecting and taxidermying his own species as a boy. It seemed that everything he did, TR would incorporate it into his naturalist focus. When the family visited Egypt there is not mention of the pyramids, only the birds that TR was able to shoot and stuff. The story culminates in his trip to Africa that would be to collect specimens for the American Museum of Natural History. Hwoever, this was a pretense, as TR was going to go anyway, and got the museum to cover the $50,000 for the trip.

It is hard to determine if the author wanted to steer the legacy of TR towards a naturalist who fell into the presidency or if he was simply that lopsided in his passions in life. There is a quote that TR only went into the politics to provide for his family, otherwise he may have just become a curator. The insights into what made TR so driven to create the Boone and Crockett Club, protect National Parks, and designate NWR make the book a worthwhile read. Knowing what gave TR his desire to protect lands offers a human element that many of us as hunters solidly identify with. There is not sidestepping his hunting side, and when critiques are warranted, they are told plainly (TR was a horrible shot, often sending several rounds downrange at minimum distances). This would add to anyone's understanding of the history of conservation personal context of the greatest giant in the field.

https://www.amazon.com/Naturalist-T...11737978&sr=8-3-spell&keywords=the+naturlaist
 

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