From foreword by Lou Holtz, former head football coach at the University of Notre Dame: "Over the course of the last 45 years, I have gradually come to view myself as basically a God-fearing and principled person, and I have tried to teach my beliefs, values and practices to my children and to any other audience or individual who was willing to listen. I only wish I had developed these same beliefs, values and practices earlier. High Ideals: Theodore Roosevelt's 1911 Western Trip, is the second in Mr. Blase's two-volume set describing, in a highly creative frst-person journal style, President Theodore Roosevelt's two extended western vacation train trips during the first part of the 20th century. Reading this second volume by Mr. Blase has allowed me to broaden the scope of my previously-held beliefs, values and practices. I would highly encourage everyone to read this book, and to read it cover-to-cover. I can guarantee you that, should you do so, you will not only grow to intimately appreciate Theodore Roosevelt's approaches to all aspects of life, but you will also learn how to become a much better person, yourself, in the process, should you choose to put into practice even some of the 'realizable ideals' the former President not only preached during the course of this five-week train trip, but actually lived. And I can also guarantee you one more thing: you'll have a lot of fun, along the journey "