A Book-Lover’s Holidays in the Open , Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was a true Renaissance man.  He was an author, conservationist, naturalist, explorer, soldier, politician and sportsman.   He published A Book-Lover’s Holidays in the Open in 1916, just four years before his death at age 60, he died of a pulmonary embolism in his sleep at his home at Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay, New York. 

In this book all the aforementioned attributes of one of the most interesting people our country has produced are readily apparent.  This is a piece of non-fiction and is a collection of various stories that covers a mountain lion hunt in the Grand Canyon, a foray into the Indian territories of the Navajo and Hopi Indians, a trek across South America, a voyage through the bird reserves in the Mississippi low country and a wilderness moose hunt in Eastern Canada.  Throughout these stories Roosevelt also speaks of, and alludes to, many other exploits such as his expedition down the uncharted river formerly call Rio Da Duvida (“River of Doubt”), now known as the Roosevelt River, his military service during the Spanish-American War and his Calvary unit the Rough Riders, and his one-year safari in Africa.

Roosevelt deals with all kinds of topics from the assimilation of the savage or primitive peoples into the cultures of the Western World after colonialization, the importance of conservation and protection of species of wildlife and natural areas, a discussion of the importance of substantive literature, and a chapter dedicated to paleontological history and the evolution of the flora and fauna of the world.   

The last chapter of the book describes an exciting story about a Moose hunt on a private game reserve in the province of Quebec.  This hunt took place in 1915 just before the publication of the book.  This would be the last big game hunt of Roosevelt’s long sporting career as he died just four years after this hunt took place. 

In summary this is an enjoyable read and is full of insights and foretelling that is relevant today.  It is easy to see the foresight that Roosevelt had reading the book over a hundred years after its publication.  Also, it is a reminder of the legacy he left as President, naturalist and historian.  I believe that it can be argued that no other American has left more of a lasting and important legacy to be enjoyed by successive generations than Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.