"Theodore Roosevelt and the Smithsonian Expedition to British East Africa" by Frank H. Goodyear III

Several years ago I read African Game Trails, by Theodore Roosevelt, which was his account of a safari in British East Africa that he undertook with his son Kermit in 1909–1910. It is a well-written and engaging narrative, and I enjoyed it very much. Roosevelt’s firsthand perspective, blending adventure, natural history, and personal reflection, made for a compelling read.

I recently read Frank H. Goodyear III’s Theodore Roosevelt and the Smithsonian Expedition to British East Africa, which serves as an excellent historical companion to Roosevelt’s own account. Goodyear’s work provides a far more detailed and scholarly examination of the expedition, particularly the planning, institutional involvement, and scientific motivations behind it—elements that Roosevelt largely glossed over or omitted in African Game Trails.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is how it contextualizes the expedition within the broader goals of the Smithsonian Institution and the era’s approach to natural history and museum collecting. Goodyear carefully explains how this was not simply a post-presidency adventure for Roosevelt, but a meticulously organized scientific endeavor involving curators, taxidermists, logisticians, and international cooperation. This added depth helps the reader better understand the scale and significance of the expedition beyond its more romanticized safari narrative.

Goodyear also offers a more nuanced portrait of Roosevelt himself—less the larger-than-life adventurer and more a disciplined, detail-oriented participant who took his scientific responsibilities seriously. The book does not shy away from addressing the ethical and historical complexities of the expedition, particularly by modern standards, which adds credibility and balance to the analysis.

Overall, Theodore Roosevelt and the Smithsonian Expedition to British East Africa is a well-researched and informative work that greatly enhances an understanding of Roosevelt’s journey and its lasting impact. For readers who enjoyed African Game Trails and want a deeper, more complete historical picture of the expedition, Goodyear’s book is an excellent and worthwhile follow-up.