Orignally published as a series of articles in Scribners in 1899, "The Rough Riders" is a fascinating first hand account of the United States 1st Vol. Cavalry during the Spanish American War. This unit, of course, almost defines that conflict in the popular imagination and Roosevelts boyant character, and description of the units unique origins and history in this book, helped make that the case.
Roosevelt's first hand account of the units very brief history is well written and fascinating. Roosevelt was, of course, partisan, having been instrumental in the causing the unit to exist, and in getting it into action in Cuba. None the less, the book presents a good historical account of the Rough Riders, and the campaign in Cuba.
The 1997 edition, with additional text by Bak, also includes additional text on the war, a section of a Rough Rider's diary, and text providing a limited amount of information for those not already familiar with the war. This, of course, would have been unneccessary for the original readers. Of particular interest is the large number of photograhs which have been included, as well as a few of the water color paintings of New York Volunteer Charles Johnson Post, whose depiction of Shafter on horseback is a classic.
Pat
The Rough Riders
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Pat Holscher
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