Mornings on Horseback

Written by:
David McCullough
Narrated by:
Nelson Runger

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
100
Narrator
6
Release Date
January 2011
Duration
19 hours 30 minutes
Summary
The National Book Award–winning biography that tells the story of how young Teddy Roosevelt transformed himself from a sickly boy into the vigorous man who would become a war hero and ultimately president of the United States, told by master historian David McCullough.

Mornings on Horseback is the brilliant biography of the young Theodore Roosevelt. Hailed as “a masterpiece” (John A. Gable, Newsday), it is the winner of the Los Angeles Times 1981 Book Prize for Biography and the National Book Award for Biography. Written by David McCullough, the author of Truman, this is the story of a remarkable little boy, seriously handicapped by recurrent and almost fatal asthma attacks, and his struggle to manhood: an amazing metamorphosis seen in the context of the very uncommon household in which he was raised.

The father is the first Theodore Roosevelt, a figure of unbounded energy, enormously attractive and selfless, a god in the eyes of his small, frail namesake. The mother, Mittie Bulloch Roosevelt, is a Southerner and a celebrated beauty, but also considerably more, which the book makes clear as never before. There are sisters Anna and Corinne, brother Elliott (who becomes the father of Eleanor Roosevelt), and the lovely, tragic Alice Lee, TR’s first love. All are brought to life to make “a beautifully told story, filled with fresh detail” (The New York Times Book Review).

A book to be read on many levels, it is at once an enthralling story, a brilliant social history and a work of important scholarship which does away with several old myths and breaks entirely new ground. It is a book about life intensely lived, about family love and loyalty, about grief and courage, about “blessed” mornings on horseback beneath the wide blue skies of the Badlands.
Reviews
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Anonymous

A fascinating book! It spent a great deal of time on Teddy's childhood and that of his parents, which I was not expecting. However, it was a great way to really understand where he came from and the type of person he actually was. For more than a standard retelling of what a President did while in office (which this book doesn't even attempt to do), learn about the person, read this book.

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Marianne Robinson

I loved this book! The narrator is excellent and it was one of the most interesting books I have ever read on the subject

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Michael Scott

Another fantastic book by David McCullough. I've thoroughly enjoyed every book I’ve read of his. He always seems to put you right there in the Drivers Seat, as if you are watching the events unfold in front of you. In that respect, he again succeeded with this book. It was filled details of the family itself, starting briefly with his grandfather. You get a sense of the importance of integrity, love, and “family” that was so important to 3 generations of the Roosevelts. I especially enjoyed reading of his time in the Badlands of the Dakota’s. I was quite surprised though, by where the book ended. He didn’t go into Roosevelt’s Presidency, his time in the Rough Riders, his role in building the Panama Canal – pretty much anything after his failed bid for Mayor of New York. Being left in the lurch, I immediately added “The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt” & “Theodore Rex”, both by Edmund Morris, to the top of my Rental Shelf, so I can learn more of this incredible man. An Excellent Read!

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Debra B.

The Roosevelt family had a very different lifestyle than most of us could imagine. Good insight into the dynasty that helped shape American politics.

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Albert

This is about the Roosevelt family but centered on "Teddy" Roosevelt. We made it through the entire book in spite of some tedious sections. We enjoyed learning about the family.

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Scott Anderson

I can't believe how much information was in this book that I did not know on teddy Roosevelt. The writer was prolific in showing how Theodore Roosevelt became the Teddy Roosevelt that we knew and loved more so than any other Roosevelt of the family until Franklin Delano Roosevelt arrived on the scene many years later. The book was very well written and the audible version was well spoken. A must read for those that love presidential history and are intrigued by the Roosevelt family.

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Kathy

This book started out great, and then went on and on and on. My disappointment was that most of the book was about TR's childhood (and even his parents' childhoods). I appreciate that all of that molded him, but it was just too much detail. Also, when Edward Hermann was the narrator, it was very interesting. Then, for reasons unexplained, there would be a woman reading for a few chapters. When it first happened, I wasn't even sure she was reading from the same book. I finally gave up at the end of CD #5.

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Daparoye

I cannot believe how much I did not know about Teddy Roosevelt. What a wonderful story ... and that it is true is even more amazing. David McCullough has a gift and I am eagerly awaiting my next McCullough audio book. The reader is fantastic! If you have even a vague interest in our American history, this will captivate you.

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Kathy Jernigan

A super listen. I am a McCullough fan. A wonderful insight into the Roosevelt family. The power of this President is needed today.

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West

A great book. I learned so much about the Roosevelt family and the context of his life. A very rich narrative. I spent a whole week listening to it on my way to work. What is really an hour and a half seemed like 30 minutes. Highly recommended.

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Anonymous

Teddy Roosevelt grew up in a privileged family, but experienced some hardships. I was not aware of much about the Roosevelt family before reading this selection.

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DJG

Great is all I need to say. I have become a David McCullough fan of the first order. Every thing that he has written I have or will read. His writing has filled in may blanks in the study of History. His research is tremendous, with notes and details that many writers have missed.

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Gabriel Aguilera

For fans of Teddy Roosevelt, this is a very good and must read.

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Bonnie

Excellent, excellent, excellent! McCullough does another wonderful job of bringing history to life. I am a fan of everything he has written. But even if you have not read anything of his and this is your first, you will not be disappointed!

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Joellyn Kopecky

McCullough is a master at weaving history into a tapestry of voices, colors, thoughts and adventures. Mornings on Horseback is no disappointment -- the entire Roosevelt family, not just Theodore himself, is drawn with an expertise that gives us a full-fleshed portrait of a dynasty that was to give us not one, but two of the best Presidents the US has ever had. Edward Herrman is also a fine narrator. Highly recommended.

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