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Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip Audiobook
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(3.16) - 133 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The companion volume to the PBS documentary film about the first—and perhaps most astonishing—automobile trip across the United States. In 1903 there were only 150 miles of paved roads in the entire nation and most people had never seen a “horseless buggy”—but that did not stop Horatio Nelson Jackson, a thirty-one-year-old Vermont doctor, who impulsively bet fifty dollars that he could drive his 20-horsepower automobile from San Francisco to New York City. Here—in Jackson’s own words and photographs—is a glorious account of that months-long, problem-beset, thrilling-to-the-rattled-bones trip with his mechanic, Sewall Crocker, and a bulldog named Bud. Jackson’s previously unpublished letters to his wife, brimming with optimism against all odds, describe in vivid detail every detour, every flat tire, every adventure good and bad. And his nearly one hundred photographs show a country still settled mainly in small towns, where life moved no faster than the horse-drawn carriage and where the arrival of Jackson’s open-air (roofless and windowless) Winton would cause delirious excitement. Jackson was possessed of a deep thirst for adventure, and his remarkable story chronicles the very beginning of the restless road trips that soon became a way of life in America. Horatio’s Drive is the first chapter in our nation’s great romance with the road. With 146 illustrations and 1 map
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"This is the great rue story of the first guy to drive a car across the US. This book is a companion to a documentary by Ken Burns. I was half way through the first chapter when I realized that I had seen the documentary. Amazing story, I've drive across the US twice and it is hard to imagine what these guys went through."
— Nate (4 out of 5 stars)
Horatio's Drive Listener Reviews
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" Enjoyed this audio version narrated by Dayton Duncan, Ken Burns, and Tom Hanks. Now I want the (paper) book for photos and maps! "
— Stevenj, 1/16/2014 -
" Interesting story, but not a riveting account nor one of the most momentous events in American history. "
— Thomas, 1/10/2014 -
" Ken Burns collected a pretty good story. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Horatio was a true adventurer, though one wouldn't think of a car trip as an adventure in the same way today. "
— Matthew, 1/9/2014 -
" This was a book I picked up hurriedly from the library, and loved! It is the story of the first man to drive from coast to coast in the United States. It allowed me to picture life at the turn of the century in a way I had never thought of before. "
— Karin, 1/6/2014 -
" Really fun to know that I am truly American in my enjoyment of a road trip. Horatio Jackson's indomitable and wholly optimistic attitude was impressive. Even more fun for me...I get to go see his car (on display at the Smithsonian) soon. "
— Shenek, 9/30/2013 -
" i haven't seen the documentary yet, but the book was really good. an interesting story of the first cross country drive. it was amazing to read of Horatio's progress despite how ill-prepared he was, and how well prepared his competitors were. "
— Damian, 8/28/2013 -
" First Road trip EVER across America. H. N. Jackson does it in about 2 months. Few roads, lots of breakdowns, lots of guts. Very interesting account. "
— David, 7/3/2013 -
" I listened this as we drove across the country - possibly the world's best book on CD for travelers! Informative, witty and filled with road trip misadventures. "
— Wildwomble, 2/5/2013 -
" Very interesting telling of a story I previously knew nothing about. A quick read or listen that highlights the first cross-country road trip. "
— Beth, 11/26/2012 -
" Enjoyed reading about what roads were like even for horse and buggy to use it is hard to imagine taking a trip alone or even as a family. Compared to today folks had so little support - we are spoiled compared to their lives. "
— Charlene, 7/18/2012 -
" I think I watched the documentary based on this book and this journey awhile ago. Still a great read of a fanciful real life tale. I can't think of a better subject matter in that it really captures the spirit of the highway even before highways. "
— Stephen, 7/6/2012 -
" Great "road trip" book... the original, first ever, road trip across the US in 1903, done on a lark and a $50 bet. I really enjoyed it. "
— Joan, 5/16/2012 -
" The audio book was entertaining and a good listen to and from work. Easy to follow for those that listen to audio-books during their daily commute. Total of 3 c.d.s and well produced. "
— Steve, 3/13/2012 -
" Very enjoyable, and I hope to find the film the authors made. This was very well researched, and the photos added texture to the writing. "
— Lena, 8/30/2011 -
" Road trip across America in 1903, long before any hint of highway or McDonald's. All in response to a $50 bet. Determination and pluck are never to be underestimated. "
— William, 6/26/2011 -
" Ken Burns collected a pretty good story. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Horatio was a true adventurer, though one wouldn't think of a car trip as an adventure in the same way today. "
— Matthew, 5/11/2011 -
" Fascinating account of America’s first transcontinental road trip. The pictures add a great deal to the text, as does the mere idea of a bespectacled bulldog going along for the ride. "
— Barbara, 12/17/2010 -
" Very enjoyable, and I hope to find the film the authors made. This was very well researched, and the photos added texture to the writing. "
— Lena, 11/9/2010 -
" Interesting story, but not a riveting account nor one of the most momentous events in American history. "
— Thomas, 1/13/2010 -
" Enjoyed reading about what roads were like even for horse and buggy to use it is hard to imagine taking a trip alone or even as a family. Compared to today folks had so little support - we are spoiled compared to their lives. "
— Charlene, 9/27/2009 -
" Road trip across America in 1903, long before any hint of highway or McDonald's. All in response to a $50 bet. Determination and pluck are never to be underestimated. "
— William, 7/2/2009 -
" This was a book I picked up hurriedly from the library, and loved! It is the story of the first man to drive from coast to coast in the United States. It allowed me to picture life at the turn of the century in a way I had never thought of before. "
— Karin, 11/23/2008 -
" First Road trip EVER across America. H. N. Jackson does it in about 2 months. Few roads, lots of breakdowns, lots of guts. Very interesting account. "
— David, 2/11/2008 -
" i haven't seen the documentary yet, but the book was really good. an interesting story of the first cross country drive. it was amazing to read of Horatio's progress despite how ill-prepared he was, and how well prepared his competitors were. "
— Damian, 11/8/2007 -
" Enjoyed this audio version narrated by Dayton Duncan, Ken Burns, and Tom Hanks. Now I want the (paper) book for photos and maps! "
— Stevenj, 8/9/2007
About the Authors
Dayton Duncan, writer and producer of The National Parks, is an award-winning author and documentary filmmaker. His nine other books include, with Ken Burns, Horatio’s Drive and Lewis & Clark. He has collaborated on all of Ken Burns’ films for twenty years as a writer, producer, and consultant. He lives in Walpole, New Hampshire.
Ken Burns is an American director and producer of documentary films, known for his style of using archival footage and photographs. His documentaries have been nominated for two Academy Awards, and have won Emmy Awards, among other honors.
About Dayton Duncan
Tom Hanks has won Academy Awards for best actor for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. He has starred in many other films, including Big, Sleepless in Seattle, Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile, Cast Away, Catch Me If You Can, Captain Phillips, Bridge of Spies, and Sully. His other awards include Golden Globes, Primetime Emmies, and the American Comedy Award, among others. His first work of fiction is the short-story collection Uncommon Type.