Mornings on Horseback

Title: Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child who Became Theodore Roosevelt
Author: David McCullough
Genre: Biography
Pages: 370
Rating (out of 5 stars): ***1/2
Reviewed by: Ben
Description: A biographical sketch of not just Theodore Roosevelt, but of his whole family.  The book describes what it was like growing up a Roosevelt, and follows Teddy only until about age 30, a full twelve years before he became president.  Rather than give a full biography, the goal of the book is to help the reader understand how Teddy became Teddy, one of our most iconic presidents.
Thoughts: This is another great McCullough book, full of interesting detail and extremely well-written, as I've come to expect from McCullough.  I did find it fascinating to learn about Theodore Roosevelt's upbringing in one of the super-rich families in New York.  My only complaint really is that it ends too early; I wish it had at least covered his life up until he became president.  Instead, we miss out on any information about his rise in politics or his time with the Rough Riders and the Battle of San Juan Hill.  On the other hand, the focus of the book allows much more detail about Teddy's upbringing in a truly unique family.  So, there's trade-offs there, I guess.  Overall, another solid book from David McCullough.
Disclaimer: None.