The Wright BrothersThe Wright Brothers
Score Modern
What it's about
On a winter day in 1903, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two unknown brothers from Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur and Orville Wright, flew the first powered, heavier-than-air machine with a pilot. David McCullough shows they were far more than a couple of lucky bicycle mechanics: they were self-taught, determined and brilliant, and he tells how they did it.
Why it's worth reading
It spent seven weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. McCullough, a two-time Pulitzer winner, tells an American adventure story with his usual warmth and clarity.
You'll love it if you liked
John Adams
1776
The Boys in the BoatGood to know
It's short for a McCullough biography and reads quickly. Their sister, Katharine, is a memorable part of the story.
By the numbers
- Readers87 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller68 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #72 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #182 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #364 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Thought-provoking, Adventurous
More by David McCullough
TrumanJohn Adams
The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870-1914
The Great BridgeIf you like this, read next
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
How to Be an Antiracist
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
How to Change Your MindExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is The Wright Brothers worth reading?
Yes. It spent seven weeks at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It ranks #364 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 80.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Wright Brothers about?
On a winter day in 1903, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, two unknown brothers from Dayton, Ohio, Wilbur and Orville Wright, flew the first powered, heavier-than-air machine with a pilot. David McCullough shows they were far more than a couple of lucky bicycle mechanics: they were self-taught, determined and brilliant, and he tells how they did it.
How long does it take to read The Wright Brothers?
About 8 hours (336 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Wright Brothers?
If you liked it, try John Adams by David McCullough, 1776 by David McCullough or The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.