Rating: 
Summary: A Character Study, Not A Biography
Review: "Mornings on Horseback" is more of a character study than a biography. Stretching from TR's birth until his marriage to Edith Carow, McCullough's purpose is to cover the factors which molded TR into the man that he became. The book ends when, McCullough believes, TR's character was formed.What I found most interesting about this book is not only what is featured, but what is not. McCullough obviously believe that family played a major role I shaping TR's character. The first, and probably greatest influence on TR was his father, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., Greatheart to his family. It was his father who was his role model and whose charitable works planted the seeds of TR's social conscience. It was Greatheart who opened TR's mind to foreign cultures during the trips across Europe and on the Nile. It was his father's observation that TR had the mind but not the body which started TR on a body building program to give him a body to match his mind. Miscast as a business man, Greatheart used his inheritance in philantrophic work, supporting the Children's Aid Society, the Orthopedic Hospital, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History, living his belief that social status came with accompanying duties. Out of deference to his Georgia born wife, Mittie, Greatheart hired a substitute to take his place in the Union Army, while he initiated programs to help the soldier and his dependents, meeting Abraham Lincoln in the process. This action is often cited as having created a debt which TR sought to pay during the Spanish American War. Greatheart's death at age 46 was one of the greatest tragedies of TR's life. During his first day in the White House, TR felt as if his father's hand was on his shoulder. Other significant familial influences on the youthful TR were his uncles, James and Irvine Bulloch. Exiled to England after their service in the Confederate States Navy, James, particularly, played a major role in developing TR's interest in naval affairs. McCullough obviously believes that TR's youthful asthma was a major factor in molding his character. The reader receives a medical education on asthma, including the theory that its attacks are often anxiety driven. McCullough then explains how he believes that TR's asthma attacks reflect what was happening in his life at the times of the attacks. Alice Lee, TR's first wife, completely captured TR's love before her passing drove him into cattle country exile. The critical high points in TR's early political career are well reported. The incidents of his entry into politics, an unseemly profession for most of his class, the challenges and disappointments of his legislative career all lead up to the 1884 Republican National convention, after which TR, frustrated in his efforts to deny nomination to James G. Blaine, chose to stick with party rather than to bolt to the Reformers. Some of the topics which fill so many pages in standard biographies are deamed to be less important to the theme of this book. TR's early interest in animals and natural history barely attracts McCullough's attention, probably because after its abandonment, it had little lasting effect on his character. While attention is devoted to his time in the Bad Lands and his hunting trips, they do not receive the attention that they do in standard biographies. "Mornings On Horseback" is written in a style which will always hold the readers' interest. Unlike some books dealing with a subject's youth, this one focuses on TR's experiences which had lifelong impacts. I do not recommend "Mornings On Horseback" as an introduction to TR. I do recommend it as a character study for those who are already familiar with the facts of TR's life and who desire to develop a deeper understanding of his character. For this it is excellent.
Rating:
Summary: A Character Study, Not A Biography
Review: "Mornings on Horseback" is more of a character study than a biography. Stretching from TR's birth until his marriage to Edith Carow, McCullough's purpose is to cover the factors which molded TR into the man that he became. The book ends when, McCullough believes, TR's character was formed. What I found most interesting about this book is not only what is featured, but what is not. McCullough obviously believe that family played a major role I shaping TR's character. The first, and probably greatest influence on TR was his father, Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., Greatheart to his family. It was his father who was his role model and whose charitable works planted the seeds of TR's social conscience. It was Greatheart who opened TR's mind to foreign cultures during the trips across Europe and on the Nile. It was his father's observation that TR had the mind but not the body which started TR on a body building program to give him a body to match his mind. Miscast as a business man, Greatheart used his inheritance in philantrophic work, supporting the Children's Aid Society, the Orthopedic Hospital, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the American Museum of Natural History, living his belief that social status came with accompanying duties. Out of deference to his Georgia born wife, Mittie, Greatheart hired a substitute to take his place in the Union Army, while he initiated programs to help the soldier and his dependents, meeting Abraham Lincoln in the process. This action is often cited as having created a debt which TR sought to pay during the Spanish American War. Greatheart's death at age 46 was one of the greatest tragedies of TR's life. During his first day in the White House, TR felt as if his father's hand was on his shoulder. Other significant familial influences on the youthful TR were his uncles, James and Irvine Bulloch. Exiled to England after their service in the Confederate States Navy, James, particularly, played a major role in developing TR's interest in naval affairs. McCullough obviously believes that TR's youthful asthma was a major factor in molding his character. The reader receives a medical education on asthma, including the theory that its attacks are often anxiety driven. McCullough then explains how he believes that TR's asthma attacks reflect what was happening in his life at the times of the attacks. Alice Lee, TR's first wife, completely captured TR's love before her passing drove him into cattle country exile. The critical high points in TR's early political career are well reported. The incidents of his entry into politics, an unseemly profession for most of his class, the challenges and disappointments of his legislative career all lead up to the 1884 Republican National convention, after which TR, frustrated in his efforts to deny nomination to James G. Blaine, chose to stick with party rather than to bolt to the Reformers. Some of the topics which fill so many pages in standard biographies are deamed to be less important to the theme of this book. TR's early interest in animals and natural history barely attracts McCullough's attention, probably because after its abandonment, it had little lasting effect on his character. While attention is devoted to his time in the Bad Lands and his hunting trips, they do not receive the attention that they do in standard biographies. "Mornings On Horseback" is written in a style which will always hold the readers' interest. Unlike some books dealing with a subject's youth, this one focuses on TR's experiences which had lifelong impacts. I do not recommend "Mornings On Horseback" as an introduction to TR. I do recommend it as a character study for those who are already familiar with the facts of TR's life and who desire to develop a deeper understanding of his character. For this it is excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting story of the Roosevelt family
Review: Although not one of David Mc McCullough's best, it is an interesting story of Teddy Roosevelt's family, his childhood and his adventuresome life leading up to his ascent to the Presidency when William McKinley was assassinated in 1901. This is not your typical Presidential historical novel, rather it is a historical account of the Theodore and Mittie Roosevelt Family, their son Teddy, and the various members of Teddy Roosevelt's close family and how his relationship with his parents, siblings and cousins shaped his upbringing. The book gives the reader an insight into Teddy Roosevelt's rather serious health problems and particularly his struggles with asthma. It discusses his upper class childhood and travels, his Harvard College education, early courtship and marriage, business ventures and his forays into early political life in New York City. The book illustrates how Teddy Roosevelt's character was shaped early on by his mother to whom he was very close and by the examples and expectations of his father, Theodore Roosevelt. Having hoped this was a more typical Presidential historical book I was somewhat disappointed, but overall the story was interesting. I enjoyed the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to get through
Review: As a fan of McCullough's works, I bought this book hoping to enjoy it, but quickly became bogged down, reading about the details of the lives of aristocratic victorian families whose self-absorbed lives I just could not make myself care about. After making a valiant effort to read roughly half the book, I found myself skimming over dull material and eventually skipping whole chapters. I don't fault the author, whose biographical skills in his other works are superb, but the Roosevelts, whether Teddy or FDR, and their entourages, were such insufferable snobs that I just couldn't help but not care a whit about any of them.
Rating:
Summary: A well-written and unusual biography of a fascinating man
Review: David McCullough is a great historical writer. Here, as in Truman and The Great Bridge, he makes people and events live again. Yet his personable style is always supported by facts and research -- one never thinks "how could he know that?" This book focuses on TR's early life, to about the age of thirty. Surprisingly, there is a lot to be learned about Roosevelt before he became a nationally known figure -- especially his family background and his medical troubles. I really enjoyed the book and am busy reading McCullough's others
Rating: 
Summary: Detailed look at the young TR: bully!
Review: David McCullough is a masterful story teller and biographer of American icons. His book on Harry Truman is considered his best, but this look at the young Theodore Roosevelt is quite good. The major criticism of the book is that McCullough spends an inordinate amount of time on TR's parents, neither of whom are especially interesting. There is also an enormous amount of background material on the Oyster Bay wealthy clique, their customs, habits and privileged manners. This can get boring pretty quickly. But the majority of the text is rightly devoted to TR, who is as fascinating a man who ever lived. It's all here: his ability to speak languages, his amazing memory, the fact he read a book every day, his passion for the outdoor life, his years at Harvard. His romances are here as well, including his early passion for eventual wife Edith, whom he threw over for his first wife, Alice. The book ends after Alice's death and TR retreats for two years to emotionally heal in the Badlands. If you have an interest in TR, this is an essential, "must have" book. It does bog down in too many details early on, but the bulk of the book is excellent. Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Too short!! I wanted to read another 400 pages!
Review: For anyone who is a fan of Teddy Roosevelt, this is absolutely required reading. I enjoy reading non-fiction but do consider it my more serious (ie less fun) reading. This is one, that I literally couldnt put down. I read it in a day and a half. While other reviewers have indicated that they thought McCullough spent too much time on TR's parents or the lifestyle he was born in to- I don't see how one could have written a book without those details. McCullough's book focuses on how TR grew up to be one of our nation's most famous presidents. How can you discuss such a subject without taking a close look at his family, his society and his childhood asthma. I really found the discussion of the causes of childhood asthma interesting as well. I think McCullough paints a wonderful picture of TR as a boy and young man- he really captures the spirit of one of our most engaging presidents. I only wish McCullough wrote another book that picked up where this one left off.
Rating:
Summary: From an obsessive reader of TR's life
Review: Forget "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt" or any book of young TR by Hermann Hagedorn. This is the most incisive, well-balanced account of that magical, brilliant, loving Knickerbocker family of Union Square. The accounts of the trips the large family took to Europe and to Egypt are engrossing. "Great Heart" Thee Roosevelt stood above all others in his class, and it's no wonder that flags throughout NYC flew at half-staff after its citizens learned of his death. McCullough also brings to life the especial closeness of "Teedie and Edie" that would link them from their cradles to their graves, even with Alice Lee detouring that relationship for a few years. My admiration of our 26th president has only grown since devouring "Mornings". We shall never see another man to match the "fire of life" of "Teedie" from Union Square and Oyster Bay.
Rating:
Summary: Another great book from McCullough
Review: Historian David McCullough is a national treasure. The author of an excellent history of the building of a Panama Canal ("The Path Between the Seas") and a biography of former President Harry Truman ("Truman", my all-time favorite book), McCullough also wrote an excellent biography of President Theodore Roosevelt's early years. Following close on the heels of Edmund Morris "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt", "Mornings on Horseback" looks at Roosevelt's formative years, when the man who would one day become one of America's greatest Presidents came of age. Though not quite the equal of Morris book, McCullough's is a somewhat more critical look at the extraordinary life the President led as a young man. This is a book for those who want to know what made this President tick.
Rating:
Summary: Another great book from McCullough
Review: Historian David McCullough is a national treasure. The author of an excellent history of the building of a Panama Canal ("The Path Between the Seas") and a biography of former President Harry Truman ("Truman", my all-time favorite book), McCullough also wrote an excellent biography of President Theodore Roosevelt's early years. Following close on the heels of Edmund Morris "The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt", "Mornings on Horseback" looks at Roosevelt's formative years, when the man who would one day become one of America's greatest Presidents came of age. Though not quite the equal of Morris book, McCullough's is a somewhat more critical look at the extraordinary life the President led as a young man. This is a book for those who want to know what made this President tick.
| 
