The Wright Brothers

By: David McCullough

Narrated by: David McCullough

Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize David McCullough tells the dramatic story behind the story about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly: Wilbur and Orville Wright.

On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Wilbur and Orville Wright's Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard. The Age of Flight had begun. How did they do it? And why? David McCullough tells the extraordinary and truly American story of the two brothers who changed the world.

Sons of an itinerant preacher and a mother who died young, Wilbur and Orville Wright grew up on a small sidestreet in Dayton, Ohio, in a house that lacked indoor plumbing and electricity but was filled with books and a love of learning. The brothers ran a bicycle shop that allowed them to earn enough money to pursue their mission in life: flight. In the 1890s flying was beginning to advance beyond the glider stage, but there were major technical challenges the Wrights were determined to solve. They traveled to North Carolina's remote Outer Banks to test their plane because there they found three indispensable conditions: constant winds, soft surfaces for landings, and privacy.

Flying was exceedingly dangerous; the Wrights risked their lives every time they flew in the years that followed. Orville nearly died in a crash in 1908 but was nursed back to health by his sister, Katharine - an unsung and important part of the brothers' success and of McCullough's book. Despite their achievement the Wrights could not convince the US government to take an interest in their plane until after they demonstrated its success in France, where the government instantly understood the importance of their achievement. Now, in this revelatory book, master historian David McCullough draws on nearly 1,000 letters of family correspondence plus diaries, notebooks, and family scrapbooks in the Library of Congress to tell the full story of the Wright brothers and their heroic achievement.

©2015 David McCullough (P)2015 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

"David McCullough's reading of his new biography of the Wright Brothers is a stellar production on every count, and a supremely satisfying listening experience. McCullough's calm, avuncular voice, familiar to millions from his PBS productions, is for many of us the voice of history itself." (AudioFile)

Lost Opportunity for Audible and Amazon

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No Whispersync? Amazon and Audible blew a great opportunity to showcase that technology... McCullough received national exposure on the CBS Sunday Morning show to pre-sale.
I'm only 20% into the book and I love it so far!!!

McCullough Does it Again

Would you consider the audio edition of The Wright Brothers to be better than the print version?

Both are equally satisfying. Of course the book has pictures which helps give additional depth to the story, but the audio is read by the author which is a special treat.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Orville - he was so mercurial and different than his brother Wilbur.

What about David McCullough’s performance did you like?

He is the voice of American History - a national treasure. Perfect.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Soaring on the wings of a dream.

Any additional comments?

I am always amazed at how Mr. McCullough can bring such life, emotion and depth to our nation's historical events and characters. In this instance he gives "wings" to the story of the Wright Brothers and for the first time in a long time gives them them the credit and attention they are due. As he has said "history is the story of people" and in this instance he demonstrates that by bringing the Wright Brothers to life for a whole new generation, many of whom likely know little if anything about these two amazing, daring and creative men. Mr. McCullough's writing is in my opinion unparalleled in the historical narrative genre - its clear, concise and most importantly holds your attention. This book is, as are all of his books, a must read, and it is especially nice to have it available as an audio book read in his familiar and comfortable voice. If such a position existed, Mr. McCullough should be named our nation's Historian Laureate. Bravo!

McCullough does it again!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, my friends are well-read and intelligent.

What did you like best about this story?

It a marvelous and patriotic tale. I love the new, interesting facts that I learned as well as McCullough's crafting history into a great drama.

Did David McCullough do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Excellent. I felt as if I knew the Wright's family members.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Why bother when it won't be as good as the book?

As an aeronautical engineer...

Any additional comments?

...what an awesome book! As an aeronautical engineer, we are taught to adore heros who are academics - Prandtl, von Karman, Helmholtz. Of course I was familiar with the Wright Brothers, but not to this level, and what a disservice to not have known until now. McCullough sets out to illustrate the hard work and dedication of the brothers, and this he accomplishes nicely. Even though I knew the story, I still felt intense suspense as they neared the first manned, powered, controlled flight! And don't mind the reviews that say McCullough is no great reader - he's perfect for this story. Should be required reading for every aero engineer, and American!

American self reliance ..Wright brothers

Another example of America excellence that our president doesn't seem to think as exceptional. American Individual self reliance was the key.

Exceptional story of extraordinary people...

Another hit for the author...detailed and riveting. As a pilot and native of Dayton this fills the void in the mystery of the challenges the Wright Family had to meet to bring the world powered flight. Amazing.

McCullough does it again!!!

I throughly enjoyed listening to Mr. McCullough read his latest work. He has a wonderful way of telling the story and including the secondary and tertiary characters that really give dimension to these moments in history. Wonderfully done. I felt like I was right there with Wilbur, Orville and Charlie. So good.

Bravo!!!

very charming story of what appears to be Quaker till the end Americans legends!!! great story.

A very interesting story of flight

Found this to be a really interesting story of the Wright Brothers.

It's a lot fun to listen to and a lot of motivation.

Great history...but not narrator

Any additional comments?

Narrator's voice was a weak monotone and occasionally seemed like it might fade out. I greatly enjoyed the book and had to try to overlook narrator's voice which just did not do service to the magnificent story of the Wright brothers and their achievement.