Mornings on Horseback

The Story of an Extraordinary Family, and the Unique Child who Became Theodore Roosevelt

By: David McCullough

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 1982 National Book Award for Biography, Mornings on Horseback is the brilliant biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt. Hailed as a masterpiece by Newsday, it is the story of a remarkable little boy, seriously handicapped by recurrent and nearly fatal attacks of asthma, and his struggle to manhood.

His father, the first Theodore Roosevelt, "Greatheart", is a figure of unbounded energy, enormously attractive and selfless, a god in the eyes of his small, frail namesake. His mother, Mittie Bulloch Roosevelt, is a Southerner and celebrated beauty.

Mornings on Horseback spans 17 years, from 1869 when little "Teedie" is 10, to 1886 when he returns from the West a "real life cowboy" to pick up the pieces of a shattered life and begin anew, a grown man, whole in body and spirit.

This is a tale about family love and family loyalty; about courtship, childbirth and death, fathers and sons; about gutter politics and the tumultuous Republican Convention of 1884; about grizzly bears, grief and courage, and "blessed" mornings on horseback at Oyster Bay or beneath the limitless skies of the Badlands.

©2004 David McCullough (P)2004 Simon & Schuster, Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Biography/Memoir, 2005

"Edward Hermann offers a professional, nuanced, audience-capturing narration." (AudioFile)

Great Story. Well supported details

What made the experience of listening to Mornings on Horseback the most enjoyable?

The author puts this period of Teddy Rosevelt's life in historical context and a number of quotes from diaries and letters to support the story.

What did you like best about this story?

Very engaging writing style and excellent readers.

Which character – as performed by Edward Herrmann – was your favorite?

"The" and "Middie"--Teddy's parents. The performance reminded me each time of the difference in background between the two through the use of accents.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

Can't imagine anyone not enjoying this one.

It's abridged

I prefer unabridged titles because abridged texts are often chopped up into nonsense. But this abridgement was well done with useful summaries to bring the listener along. That said, I still would rather have the entire work availble to me.

Wonderful, just wonderful

First of all, Edward Herrmann is one of the best readers around, and when he's reading David McCullough, it doesn't get much better. I'd already read and very much enjoyed the book-- a sweet and detailed view into a bright and loving family and a happy childhood. Anyone with a heart and an interest inhistory shouldenjoy this selection-- and if you happened to grow up with a an earnest, bookloving little brother, you'll REALLY have a wonderful time with this.

Somewhat Dry

Would you try another book from David McCullough and/or Edward Herrmann?

Maybe, depending on the subject for McCullough; yes for Edward Herrmann. I enjoyed his narration. Also, because I listened to the abridged version, the woman who voiced the parts that I assumed were the abridged parts to bring us up to date. Clever to have someone with a completely different voice do that so that the listener knows what's actual text from the book. Wonder if there'a an abridged print or e-book that fills in the holes.

Would you be willing to try another book from David McCullough? Why or why not?

Pretty much the same question above? I selected the abridged version because of the length of the book in its entirety. I know I wouldn't have lasted through 20 some-odd hours of this. So, doubtful that I would select another book by McCullough unless it was about someone I had an interest in.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

His voice was pleasant and easy to understand.

What else would you have wanted to know about David McCullough’s life?

Well, other books he's authored - I know he's been rather prolific. Otherwise, not much.

Any additional comments?

This is not my favorite genre - I read it because it was a book club selection. I found the beginning rather confusing since Theodore, pere, and Theodore, fils, were both referred to as "Theodore" many times. So I had to re-listen to the beginning of the book to sort that out. I wish he had differentiated them whenever they were mentioned, at least until Daddy Theodore died.

The T.R. you never knew

If you're expecting a book on Teddy Roosevelt as president and his exploits as president, "bully", the panama canal, etc, this isn't it. But is is a great book on his family and family life, from birth to death, it gets into his character, what made him who he was. I thoroughly enjoyed it, McCullough is excellent historical non-fiction. And the changes between a man and woman narrators keeps it interesting.

Mornings on Horseback

I love presidential biographies and David McCullough is one of the best biographers.
Heard this book many years ago, this is my second time through it. It is an excellent book

missed david mccullough's voice

i didn't realize that it was abridged. i also want clear why they switched narrators when they did.

BORING!!!

I have listened to McCullough's "John Adams" twice and enjoyed every second. Have listened to "The Path Between the Seas" three times with equal fascination.

"Mornings On Horseback" is not about Theodore Roosevelt. The first half is about his family, their backgrounds, their correspondence, etc, etc, etc. I waded into the second half of the book only to listen to more correspondence from brother Elliott from his trip around the world. Then I stopped. It may have gotten better, but I was too bored to go on. If you wish to know Teddy Roosevelt, read another book about him, as I will surely do. Not every book a good author writes is one I want to read. This one fell far short of the high expectations raised by the two McCullough books mentioned above.

Edward Herrmann is one of the very best narrators in the business. His performance here was superb, and the female narrator was also absolutely excellent. Herrmann performed most of it, but alternating with her was a plus. I enjoyed them both.

Very Disappointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I wanted to learn more about Theodore Roosevelt and the his family background. Instead, most of the book was about family members (especially his father). Other than learning that he was a sickly kid, I really didn't learn very much. I wanted the book to focus primarily on President Roosevelt as a child and adolescent, not on his father, grandfather and siblings.

What could David McCullough have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I think if Mr. McCullough had read the book I might have found it more interesting, however, I'm not really sure about this.

What three words best describe Edward Herrmann’s performance?

Dry, a little boring (like the book).

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

If you want a very dry, somewhat boring read, then this is for you. I had a hard time finishing it.

Any additional comments?

I was quite surprised that I didn't like the book. I have always enjoyed David McCullough's other books as well as his appearances on television. The Wright Brothers is in my library. I'm hoping I enjoy it a lo more than this one.

Where's the beef?

Great for family background; nothing whatsoever about Cuba or his great accomplishments as president. Was that removed in the abridgment or is there another McCullough book with the meat of his life? I was disappointed.