REVIEW OF THE ROUGH RIDER AND THE CRUCIBLE OF EMPIRE

REVIEW OF THE ROUGH RIDER AND THE CRUCIBLE OF EMPIRE

Summary and Thesis
The author of the book entitled the Rough Rider talks about how the fighting squadron called Rough Rider came into existence following the preparations that were put in place for the war. The process involved several activities done in order for the Rough Rider Crew to come into existence. A lot of new recruitments was done to get personnel’s who were ready to fight with the spirit of winning the battle. In the book, we have a vivid description of the events that took place and how the recruitment of the Rough Riders Crew was done. The book also states that this war was between Americans fighting against the Spain. There is a clear outline on how the war was conducted in the battle field with the help of terrain and the zeal the troops showed in order for the Americans to outdo the Spain. All types of weapons were used, and there was smoke in the air on the battle field and also gun powder was everywhere. The author also narrates how the different Lieutenants made and discussed outsides their tents. The story highlights about Colonel Roosevelt who had special experience in war since he had been a sheriff for good period. His squadron had members who were willing to fight and win they had the zeal. The author also tells us that there war comes to an end and the US hoists its flag in Cuba which shows that the US wins the war and the Squadron of Colonel Roosevelt returns to America.
The thesis of this book is mainly based on the organization, the zeal, dedication and humility that is needed by soldiers to win a battle.

The book portrays Colonel Roosevelt as a dedicated man including the other lieutenants. Since it talks about even if they got injured they could not give up commanding their squadrons till they could become unable to do so.
Opinions
The author’s opinions in the book are based on these two aspects. First, whenever, the social life of a soldier is stable and smooth they will go to battle fields with good stamina and strength to fight and win since their emotions are will be focused. Second, the soldier characteristics will play a great role also in determining the victory. As soldiers, they need to be brave no matter the situation they should fight to the last point they are capable, second the aspect of humility also has a greater influence during the war since Colonel Roosevelt had a good dedication to his family and also the fight. So both the intrinsic characteristics and the social life must coexist peacefully in order to become victorious in a war.
Own assessment
The author has given a vivid description of events that took place on the side of the squadrons formed by the Americans. There is also a clear outline on the experience Colonel Roosevelt had in order to be able to ensure that they fought on even if other squadrons had lost a lot of people during the fight and with the experience, it helped them to emerge victorious in the war. They utilized the terrains well to attack and ambush their enemies. The author indicates to a higher level the order of events till we clear picture it in our minds as readers. Despite all that, there is some biasness since actually when he says the only experience was the key for the Americans defeating the Spanish that means that all the soldiers were experienced and at a point in the book we are told some people were inmates. Second, the organization of the Spanish military has been given little weight in the book, we don’t know if for them had squadrons and if they had what was the criteria they used to select their soldiers? Hence, the author has some biasness since there is a vivid outline for the Americans but not Spanish soldiers.
Comparison
First, in the book the Rough Rider the entire process involved in the formation of the Rough Rider squadron that was involved in the fight. The war comprises of different people like the police officers, soldiers who had experience, inmates who sacrificed their lives so that they fought for their nation. The young people who were willing and ready to go into the battle fields were also involved. The applicants for the regiment formation came from all over different States, and it was difficult for them to choose since everyone showed a keen interest in being part of the Rough Rider group formation. It led to difficulties in the selection and even cause some to denounce the group. In the film, it is also highlighted that the squad that went to fight in the war comprised of different people. They included both those African Americans who were willing to participate in the war and even for those who did not wish the circumstances forced them to be part of the war in order to avoid white racism. Therefore, this means the war entailed both the Africans-Americans and the Americans. Therefore, that is the composition of the squad that intended to fight the Spaniards and win. Both the book the Rough Rider and the Film Crucible of Empire the teams that were used to fight comprised of different personnel with different skills and this gave them an upper hand against their opponents. Since having many different dedicated groups’ increases the creativity in the war and the fighting morale and spirit is boosted.
Second, in the book we see the terrain of the land helped a great deal in the war since they used both mountains to hide and construct their tents and trenches were used as pathways that the troops followed while they advanced towards their enemies territories. The jungle played a role with several fences that were used. The topography caused confusion to some troops during the advancement to the enemies. The forest was dense and with the help of guns that were smokeless and powder less made it difficult for them to identify. In the film the aspect of using the valleys to attack as they cross Little River Bighorn is used to show similarity that is found in the book the Rough Rider and the film. Both of them rely on the geographical features to launch their attacks and also to hide away from their enemies. Therefore, the aspect of terrain is used both in the book and film to encounter their enemies during the war.
Third, during the war a lot of people were shot and killed, massive property destroyed and a lot of guns and weapons used according to the “Rough Rider book.” Some Colonels’ are shot but still hold on to fight, commanding their troops to go ahead and advance without caring that they are in critical conditions and injured. For instance, in the book we see Captain Knox who is shot in the abdomen but continues offering orders to the squadron and refuses the help of a man in the firing lane to help him to the rear. According to. Lieutenant Byram himself is wounded, but still, has the courage to continue leading his men up to where the wound get heated over, and he falls unconscious. They show the spirit of dedication in winning the war since that is what is expected from them with their war troops. In the film, the war is sparked by the issues pertaining the race of the citizens, the economy, technology, the yellow journalism and the public opinion which acts as a propeller for the US coming into the war with the Spaniards. The US enhances and collects itself together significantly making sure they are armed and ensure that whatever happens let it happen even if the war is going to cost a fortune but what matters for them is to come out of the war fruitful and victorious. The war is followed by many people dying and several millions of property spoilt for the US to be able to defeat Spain and this happens in a very short period but leaves a very important war for centuries. It is both in the film and the book that the driving force behind this war for the Americans is to win it. The aspect of bravery is essential during the war, and it was the driving motive. The mission was to conquer Cuba for both in the book and the film. At the end of the war both in the book and movie, it concludes with the US flag being hoisted.
Contrast
Fourth, the book Rough Rider talks about the involvement of the youths in the war and other people like inmates who were used to fight. The book clearly illustrates and brings on board the outbreak of diseases like yellow fever, which affected the fighting troops. However, the film does not highlight anywhere that the youths were used in the war or other people were involved like the inmates but only talks about the war comprising of the Americans and the African-Americans. The issue of disease outbreak is another factor that is not demonstrated in the film. Therefore, this brings some dissimilarity between the book and the film.
Lastly, the film clearly illustrates what compelled the US into starting the fight with Spain as being racism, economy aspects, technology, yellow journalism and the opinion of the public as the major factors that sparked the war. The book, on the other hand, does not give the details what was the reason for the war between the US and Spain since it starts with just the formation of the regiment. It as an indication of contrast since the reason is in the film but not in the book.

Footnotes
Roosevelt, Theodore. The Rough Riders, Surgeon, Architect of American Imperialism. (New York. P.F COLLIER & SON PUBLISHERS, 1989), 3.
Ibid.,180
Ibid.,172
Ibid.,84
Ibid.,191
Ibid.,192
Ibid.,1