Teddy Roosevelt’s Classic Hunting Trips of a Ranchman

The first hunting book written by Theodore Roosevelt, his celebrated classic, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman, originally published in 1885 when Roosevelt was 27 years old.

This fascinating book tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt's earliest hunts in the Dakota Badlands, where he hunted for wild turkey, grouse, waterfowl, buffalo, deer, elk, big-horn sheep, prong-horn antelope, and, as described in its celebrated last chapter, “Old Ephriam,” his first spine-tingling encounter with a grizzly bear.

Theodore Roosevelt's Outdoor Odyssey: Hunting Trips of a Ranchman

Theodore Roosevelt, a man of boundless energy and diverse passions, left an indelible mark on American history as the 26th President of the United States. However, well before his political career took center stage, Roosevelt embarked on a series of adventures that would shape his character and legacy. One such adventure is vividly chronicled in Hunting Trips of a Ranchman.

Published in 1885, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman offers a captivating glimpse into the life of young Theodore Roosevelt during the years he spent in the Badlands of North Dakota. Born on October 27, 1858, Roosevelt's early years were marked by health challenges and personal tragedies, leading him to seek solace and rejuvenation in the untamed landscapes of the American West.

In the aftermath of his wife's tragic death in 1884, Roosevelt sought refuge from the pain of loss by immersing himself in the rugged life of a rancher in the Dakota Territory. The experiences he amassed during his time on the frontier, particularly his hunting expeditions, served as the foundation for Hunting Trips of a Ranchman. The book is not merely a chronicle of outdoor pursuits; it is a testament to Roosevelt's deep connection with the natural world and his commitment to the strenuous life. Through detailed and vivid prose, Roosevelt shares his observations of the flora and fauna of the Badlands, recounting encounters with grizzly bears, elk, and other wildlife. His descriptions evoke a sense of the harsh beauty and unforgiving terrain that characterized the American West in the late 19th century.

Hunting Trips of a Ranchman also reflects Roosevelt's views on conservation and the responsible stewardship of the environment. Even in the midst of pursuing game, Roosevelt recognized the importance of preserving the wilderness for future generations. This early conservation ethos foreshadowed the environmental advocacy that would become a hallmark of his later political career.

For readers, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman provides a window into the formative years of a man whose leadership style would leave an enduring legacy. Roosevelt's adventures in the West not only served as a personal catharsis but also cultivated the resilience, resourcefulness, and reverence for nature that would define his approach to governance. As readers delve into the pages of Hunting Trips of a Ranchman, they accompany Theodore Roosevelt on his journey through the untamed landscapes of the American West, gaining insight into the experiences that molded a young ranchman into a future statesman and conservationist. The book stands as a testament to Roosevelt's love of adventure, the outdoors, and the transformative power of the wilderness on the human spirit.

Make no mistake: the great Theodore Roosevelt was one of the first statesman to recognize the need for game conservation. His tremendous foresight bursts through every page of this Library.
What a rare treat! The influential Saturday Review characterized it as “one of the rare books which sportsman will be glad to add to their libraries." That was true yesterday and it's even more true today.

With its rousing adventure stories, coupled with its fame and rarity as the first major writing of America’s most celebrated hunter... plus its elegant enhancements of gold-embossed leather bindings... if ever a book could be called “estate quality” and worthy of acquisition, this brilliant and expensive-looking edition of Hunting Trips of a Ranchman is one!