Introduction
Wright Brothers is a book written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough and published in 2015. This work does not only present the detailed biographies of two of the most well-known inventors in history. It also examines the influences that were present in their lives and that led them to become the pioneers of modern aviation (McCullough, 2015). The Wright family life and values are described with passion and attention to detail by a world-famous historian, which makes reading this book engaging and thought-provoking.
Discussion
Simply by choosing to write about the Wright brothers, McCullough shows that they are important historical figures worthy of respect. As the readers progress through the book and learn more about the brothers’ lives and work, they can realize that McCullough’s subjects are indeed extremely estimable. A significant part of the book is devoted to their childhood and the fact that the Wright brothers did not have many privileges in terms of education, wealth, or connections. However, they were always eager to learn, and McCullough presents multiple examples and scenes from their childhood that prove this.
Conclusion
One of these is the passage that describes the impressions that some of the Wright family’s neighbors had about the young brothers. Some are cited to think that the two boys were mere “a pair of poor nuts” because they could spend hours watching large seabirds soaring in the sky and imitating their flight afterward (McCullough, 2015, p. 34). These seemingly insignificant stories create a portrait of young brothers as two geniuses underappreciated in their early years. As a result, the readers manage to gain a new perspective on the lives and minds of two of the most influential inventors in the 20th century.
Reference
McCullough, D. (2015). The Wright brothers. Simon & Schuster.