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)

Fascinating history!

Well told and read, this is fascinating history of New York politics and society, with completely interesting history of the Carolinas and the Dakotas. Teddy and his father were amazing. Especially enjoyed hearing how kind his dad was.

A Good Listen

The readers are excelent. Captures the essence TR's childhood and early adulthood. Helps to understand the man.

Good book on his early years, not on his latter

Would you consider the audio edition of Mornings on Horseback to be better than the print version?

This book is very in depth regarding Theodore Roosevelt's parents, siblings and lineage. I goes into great detail about his mother, and father. I chronicle his life until about age 25 -30. It does not go very deep into his presidency, San Juan Hill. It ends with him returning from the western badlands, and beginning his political career.

If you’ve listened to books by David McCullough before, how does this one compare?

It was not as interesting as the book on John Adams

Which scene was your favorite?

Learning about his time in the west was interesting

Enlightening

This was written from the diaries and letters if the Roosevelt family. The family and there lives were Enlightening though occasionally dry in nature. Its not an easy read. But worth the investment

Thorough, sympathetic biography

McCullough writes an entertaining and informative account of Teddy Roosevelt's early life. The information about his immediate family and their circle shows where Roosevelt got many of his ideas and principles.

Cut short

Although the story itself was nice, I bought the book in order to read along, and I noticed that at times, the recording would skip entire pages of it. In that way, this felt like sort of a waste of the monthly credit.

An enchanting story about a great family

David McCullough has written another of his well researched and engaging books. Whether I've read or listen to one of his books on Audible, he engages your imagination from beginning to end. You also learn more about the history of the times and how the people in the book fit into this time in history. I never realize what an incredible family the Roosevelt's were.

History lovers will like this

Would you consider the audio edition of Mornings on Horseback to be better than the print version?

Subject (TR & family) and Herrmans reading

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mornings on Horseback?

TR on his cattle ranch working along side the cowboys was to the point but
a little more detail would help. This statement is nitpicking!!!!!!!! Sorry!

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Staying on subject

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

Nothing, he made the book for me.

Any additional comments?

I do not recall a book with less rambling. Subject of TR and family was the point
of the book and McCullough stay on point.

Incredible family

If you could sum up Mornings on Horseback in three words, what would they be?

Family-friendly, Biographical, Well-researched

Would you recommend Mornings on Horseback to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend this to my friends. it tells the fascinating story of an incredible family. It shows the value of high morals, family values, community responsiblilty, and hard work.

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

Theodore Roosevelt, Sr.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A family's impact on America.

Usual Outstanding Work from David McCullough!

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

As always McCullough draws his audience in and you feel like you intimately know TR in his youth.

What did you like best about this story?

The ability to see the genesis of such a complex person like Roosevelt, who had done so much in his later years.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Stellar as always, Edward Herrmann has a voice for storytelling.

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

Yes, if time permitted it would have been a great story to have listened to in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book, and will most likely get the unabridged version now.