The #1 New York Times bestseller from David McCullough, two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize–the dramatic story-behind-the-story about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly–Wilbur and Orville Wright. On a winter day in 1903, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two brothers–bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio–changed history. But it would take the world some time to … world some time to believe that the age of flight had begun, with the first powered machine carrying a pilot.
Orville and Wilbur Wright were men of exceptional courage and determination, and of far-ranging intellectual interests and ceaseless curiosity. When they worked together, no problem seemed to be insurmountable. Wilbur was unquestionably a genius. Orville had such mechanical ingenuity as few had ever seen. That they had no more than a public high school education and little money never stopped them in their mission to take to the air. Nothing did, not even the self-evident reality that every time they took off, they risked being killed.
In this “enjoyable, fast-paced tale” (The Economist), master historian David McCullough “shows as never before how two Ohio boys from a remarkable family taught the world to fly” (The Washington Post) and “captures the marvel of what the Wrights accomplished” (The Wall Street Journal). He draws on the extensive Wright family papers to profile not only the brothers but their sister, Katharine, without whom things might well have gone differently for them. Essential reading, this is “a story of timeless importance, told with uncommon empathy and fluency…about what might be the most astonishing feat mankind has ever accomplished…The Wright Brothers soars” (The New York Times Book Review).more
David McCullough has written another brilliant biography that is well-researched and documented. McCullough demonstrates how living in the Wright family fostered the successes they experienced. It also brings to the forefront as to just how humans learn–through diligence, trial-and-error, and experimentation, which sadly many of the youth of today lack. Not so for Wilbur and Orville Wright. I appreciated the wealth of documentation and sources to which McCullough turned to help dispel the myths surrounding them, Kittyhawk, Dayton, their trial flights, and their transition from glider to motor-propelled aviation. I did find the Epilogue quite sad but essential to the entire story.
Detailed history of the two who introduced power flight to the world.
An informative story with two down to earth geniuses, never knew they encountered and overcame so many obstacles . A factual and well written slice of history and American Exceptionalism !
Since its publication in 2015 I have read this book three times. It is a fascinating account of the first successful powered flight and the long hard path to get there.
There is so much more to what happened at Kitty Hawk and afterwards and this book delivers. Real David McCullough stuff.
Because it’s on my birthday, I knew when to celebrate the Wright brother’s first flight. What I didn’t know was the brilliance and bulldogged determination behind that short flight. Again, McCullough’s writing is brilliant and captivating.
Amazing book even if one thinks one knows a lot about the topic.
Great historical read.
Ohio was my home growing up and I thought I knew a lot about the Wright brothers but David McCullough taught me many things I did not already know. This was a great read and a “keeper” for me which means I will keep it and read it again.
An historical fiction based upon lots and lots of research. Lived in OH many years, and always have been interested in early aviation. So much great information in this book. It brings to life the characters and the historic events of their early flights. Excellent read.
Very informative and well written.
great history about these two brothers and their inventing and promoting the airplane. Incredible part was how slowly the airplane was adopted by US.
Another wonderful book by David McCullough. A fabulous study on the beginnings of aviation and the lives of the Wright Brothers.
McCullough is one of the best history writers of our times. His insight into the Wright Brothers, the family and the relationships with US and French government officials are detailed and precise. Whether its Adams, Truman, The Brooklyn Bridge, or The Wright Brothers you will never be let down with anything written by David McCullough!
I loved this book. I was fortunate enough to have visited the place where the Wright Brothers first flew into history. I recommend not only visiting the monument at Kitty Hawk but reading this book. It will bring the history of flight alive to the reader.
Enjoyed DM’s thorough review of the remarkable life and work of Orville and Wilbur Wright. Fascinating history of the initiation of aviation.
David McCullough is a true American treasure. I’m immediately interested in anything he has written. One of my favorites is his book “The Wright Brothers.” There was much I didn’t know about that journey including many critics saying “God doesn’t want men to fly” or those wondering what the practical application of having a flying machine might be. Think about that the next time you are at JFK, LAX or Heathrow
If you love history as I do, then you’ll love this book by one of our great historians.
Very interesting true story with lots about the personalities of the brothers and their sister.
Very informative book about the Wright Brothers.