Mornings on Horseback

By: David McCullough

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of John Adams

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.

©2007 David McCullough (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

• National Book Award , Biography, 1982

"We have no better social historian." ( The New York Times)

Entertaining Educational and influential

I am trying to catch up for time wasted in high school and college history class. I throughly enjoyed this historical gander into an influential and incredibly affluent family of the mid 1850’s. Understand, that this book is about Theodore Roosevelt the boy and not Theodore Roosevelt the president - fascinating story.

after dinner chat

i love all of mcCullough's works. they are informed, insightfulb, and delivered casually so that you never really think you're a history student. just a nice after-dinner chat with a nice old man.

A great person and inspirational leader

A history of our greatest president who shaped our country to establish a world-class standard.

Expected more about his life after age 28

Goid perspective of the wealthy NY in the 1800s and Teddy’s upbringing.would have much preferred that to be condensed and talk about his life through his presidency

Good but left wanting more

Loved the early details and insights into his early life, but was expecting - and hoping- it would continue similarly with his political and military exploits.
Instead, it ends suddenly with his defeat in his race for mayor of NYC.
I have to admit I was disappointed.

Another Excellent Book by David McCullough!

One of my favorite authors, I can't praise this book enough. David McCullough has never disappointed me and now that he is gone I ask myself, what shall we do. I highly recommend this and all of his other books.

what a unique life!

McCullough is a national treasure. love his work -- the history and storytelling. Fascinating to learn about this dynamic Roosevelt family.

Should have researched before reading....

I did learn a great deal about TR, but did not realize that the book did not discuss his presidency. This was a major disappointment, which I should have investigated in advance.
I also found the discussion of TR's asthma attacks and the lengthy dwelling of the author on his psychological theories concerning these overdone.
While I do not regret listening to this title, it does not compare to the same author's biography of Truman.

Growing up Rooseveldt

What did you love best about Mornings on Horseback?

The level of historical detail in this story is remarkable, owing to the voluminous letter writing on the part of the characters. By the end of the book, I was sad to leave them because I became so immersed in their lives, like I was part of the family.

Which character – as performed by Nelson Runger – was your favorite?

Theodore Sr. was a most interesting and admirable person.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The tragic death of Theo's mother and first wife in close succession.

Any additional comments?

I greatly enjoy David McCullogh's writing and story telling. His contribution to the historical and biographical literature of America, and the resulting gifts he gives us in his books as to understanding what it means to be an American, may be unequaled by any other author.

Fabulous

I loved this--thanks to all for the research and skill in assembling the story. The narration was perfect.