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Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip Hardcover – July 8, 2003

by Dayton Duncan (Author), Ken Burns (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars 88 ratings
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 Jackson’s previously unpublished letters to his wife, brimming with optimism against all odds, describe in vivid detail every detour, every flat tire, every adventure good and bad.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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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Knopf
  4. Publication date
    July 8, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    9.2 x 0.78 x 7.88 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    037541536X
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0375415364
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Technological revolution makes the unthinkable routine-and what could be more quotidian than an automobile trip across America? Yet at one time such a notion seemed about as likely to succeed as jumping Niagara in a barrel. Burns and Dayton are responsible for the upcoming PBS film about the adventurous first-ever car trip from coast to coast; this is the picture-packed print companion. Impetuously responding to a dare in May 1903, Dr. Horatio Jackson rashly wagered $50 that he could traverse the continent in 90 days. Bankrolled by his wealthy wife and accompanied by mechanic friend Sewall Crocker, Jackson set out for New York from San Francisco. Crossing a landscape devoid of paved roads, roadmaps and streetlights in a vehicle without multiple gears, roof or windshield and capable of a mere 30 mph, the two men ran into considerable problems in Northern California, Oregon and Idaho. (Meanwhile, other, corporate-backed aspirants to the distinction of being first across the country were hot on their heels.) Hardly anybody they encountered had ever seen an automobile before, so the men repeatedly became local heroes before becoming celebrities on a national scale. Few can match nationally famous PBS documentarian Burns's skill at evoking the past visually, and this book does nothing to undo that reputation. (Any picture featuring Bud, the goggled bulldog they adopted on the way, is a winner.) Meanwhile, Duncan, responsible for the research and the text, delivers a graceful, concise, engrossing account.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Dayton Duncan, writer and producer of Horatio’s Drive, is the author of seven other books about American history, including Out West: A Journey Through Lewis and Clark’s America, in which he retraced the route of the expedition. He has been involved with Ken Burns’s documentaries for more than a decade. He and Burns are now collaborating on a major documentary series about our national parks. He lives in Walpole, New Hampshire.

Ken Burns, director and producer of Horatio’s Drive, has been making award-winning documentary films for more than twenty years. He was director of the landmark PBS series The Civil War, Baseball, and Jazz and executive producer of The West. His other films include the Academy Award–nominated Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty (also nominated for an Oscar), Lewis & Clark, and Mark Twain. His next documentary will be a biography of the prizefighter Jack Johnson. He lives in Walpole, New Hampshire.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf; 1st edition (July 8, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 037541536X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0375415364
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.2 x 0.78 x 7.88 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 out of 5 stars 88 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Ken Burns

    Ken Burns

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost forty years. Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War; Baseball; Jazz, Statue of Liberty; Huey Long; Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery; Frank Lloyd Wright; Mark Twain; Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson; The War; The National Parks: America’s Best Idea; The Roosevelts: An Intimate History; and, most recently, Jackie Robinson.

    Future projects include films on the Vietnam War, the history of country music, Ernest Hemingway, and the history of stand-up comedy.

    Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including fourteen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations; and in September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Dayton Duncan

    Dayton Duncan

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    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Dayton Duncan is an award-winning writer and filmmaker. He is the author of 14 books and for more than 30 years has collaborated with Ken Burns as the writer and producer of acclaimed PBS documentaries, including Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, The Dust Bowl, Country Music, and most recently The American Buffalo.

    Duncan's work has received numerous awards, including two Emmy Awards, a Writer's Guild of America award for best documentary script, four Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America, four Western Heritage awards, among many other honors. In 2009, the National Park Service named him an Honorary Park Ranger, an honor bestowed on fewer than 50 people in history.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
88 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this book's narrative style, particularly as a complement to the documentary, and appreciate its great old-time photos. They find it a fun listen and consider it good value for money.

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21 customers mention "Story quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, finding it fun and well-written, with one customer noting it's particularly appealing to car enthusiasts.

"...It has a plethora of pictures, as you might expect, that really add to the narrative...." Read more

"Amazing document about a time in American history when there were only 150 miles of paved roads in the entire country...." Read more

"...I feel the story is especially well-presented and my first-reading time was ~3hours...." Read more

"...Though brief (because of all the photos, the book can easily be read in one or two sittings)..." Read more

11 customers mention "Narrative style"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the narrative style of the book, which serves as a great complement to the documentary, with one customer noting it tells the story of the first transcontinental automobile trip.

"...GPS equipped 4x4 vehicles, and the book and DVD are both splendid inspirations for anyone who loves to share in the triumphs of those few..." Read more

"This was a very informative and entertaining read although it is somewhat short in length. The pictures were very nice and tells the story as well...." Read more

"...It takes us back to 1903 and tells the story of the first transcontinental automobile trip, taken by Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson..." Read more

"I still marvel at the premise of this book. Each page was so informative about early motoring. Wow!..." Read more

11 customers mention "Pictures quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pictures in the book, describing them as great old-time photos and noting there are many of them.

"...Used it as part of a learning in retirement program. It has a plethora of pictures, as you might expect, that really add to the narrative...." Read more

"...to the PBS documentary film (available on DVD) is filled with rare vintage photos...." Read more

"...The pictures were very nice and tells the story as well...." Read more

"...Besides the great photos (taken by Dr. Jackson en route), the two authors have included numerous excerpts from the letters that Jackson wrote to his..." Read more

3 customers mention "Entertainment value"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with some describing it as a fun listen, and one mentioning it includes the audio of a great PBS documentary.

"This was a very informative and entertaining read although it is somewhat short in length. The pictures were very nice and tells the story as well...." Read more

"This book is an addition to the DVD and audio of this Great PBS documentary by Ken Burns & Dayton Duncan...." Read more

"Good story and a fun listen." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great value.

"On time an as presented. Condition was excellent. Great value for a special interest hardback." Read more

"Super price and was in great condition." Read more

"Excellent seller...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • J & G
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read - You wonder what will happen next.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Came out of a viewing of Ken Burns video on Amazon Prime by the same title. Used it as part of a learning in retirement program. It has a plethora of pictures, as you might expect, that really add to the narrative. I personally wold have liked more text and details, but overall well worth the time.
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  • Vieux Bob
    5.0 out of 5 stars Before the SUV...
    Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2005
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing document about a time in American history when there were only 150 miles of paved roads in the entire country. In 1903, an adenturous 31 year old Doctor from Vermont, now retired and living happily with his weathy young wife (on her funds), decided he'd attempt to be the first to man cross the continent via the latest technological gadget: the automobile. Being a non-mechanic, he hired an equally spirited 21 year old former bicycle racer who had been working as a mechanic in a gasoline-engine factory in California to accompany him. Most roads were little more than muddy wagon paths, and when those stopped the travellers could only follow along railroad tracks or trust in their sense of direction as they set out across the vast plains and desert. Nevertheless, they made the trek successfully.Equally amazing, his beloved wife condoned his folly and waited anxiously at home. They wrote letters to each other regularly, and these (preserved) letters were the author's primary source of information about his daily successes and frustrations along his cross-country 'expedition'.This book, a companion to the PBS documentary film (available on DVD) is filled with rare vintage photos. Few would attempt such a journey today, even with modern GPS equipped 4x4 vehicles, and the book and DVD are both splendid inspirations for anyone who loves to share in the triumphs of those few individuals who would fearlessly challenge what has never been done simply because they believe they can succeed.I only wish there had been more more detailed excerpts from the original correspondences included in this book. Still, a splendid addition to your library... and your education!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bud Russell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Biased
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    This inspirational story of an "indomitable-spirit" Vermonter has reinforced my belief in: what the lifetime goals of an individual can be; how "impossible dreams" can occur in real life (reference the Catholic legacy of St. Rita); and how a woman's love might stimulate a man's performance. I admit to being biased from the viewpoint of: a fellow UVM alumni; a former near neighbor (Springfield, VT) of the author's; an individual who has driven over a million miles in classic American vehicles visiting family, witnessing children's accomplishments and athletic competitions, visiting national recreation sites, participating in athletic competitions; and visiting casinos (crossing every state and many rivers in the continental United States); a soul-mate to an indomitable-spirit, lovely woman from Brattleboro, VT for 50+years; and an individual who has nearly retraced Horatio's Drive in my lifetime. I feel the story is especially well-presented and my first-reading time was ~3hours.
    I was also pleased with the example of Horatio's verbal love expression to his woman at every communication oppurtunity.
    Malcolm Bud Russell; SHS '54, UVM '58, UVM Athletic Hall-of-Fame '93, & USAT&F Masters National Champion '01.
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  • anon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! So Interesting and Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This was a very informative and entertaining read although it is somewhat short in length. The pictures were very nice and tells the story as well. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to anyone interested in a short story history of the automobile in the United States as well as an environmental desciption of the western part of the country during this time frame.
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  • Bruce Loveitt
    4.0 out of 5 stars Horatio's Hard Drive
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2003
    Verified Purchase
    (Sorry about the title. I just bought a PC, so I have computers on the brain!) This book is the latest effort by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns, a tie-in to their PBS documentary. It takes us back to 1903 and tells the story of the first transcontinental automobile trip, taken by Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson (don't you just love that name?), his mechanic Sewall Crocker, and a bulldog named Bud. Dr. Jackson was in San Francisco when he decided to attempt the trip- it was really a "spur of the moment" decision, made after a fellow bet him $50 that he couldn't do it. Unfortunately for Dr. Jackson, he needed to come up with a car: he had purchased one just before he made the bet, but it was in the process of being shipped across the country to the doctor's home in Burlington, Vermont. Sewall Crocker suggested the doctor should buy a "Winton,"- because it was a heavy, sturdy vehicle. These were the days before dealerships, so Dr. Jackson had to find one of the few people in San Francisco who owned a Winton. The doctor located someone who was willing to sell his $2,500 Winton for $3,000. The upshot was that four days after making the bet, Jackson and Crocker were on the road. (Bud was purchased shortly after the two men started out.) One of the best features of this book is the pictures. It is difficult for most people today to visualize what driving conditions were like in 1903. There were almost no paved roads- so Jackson and Crocker were, for the most part, following old trails. The numerous pictures give you some idea of the rough conditions. The two men frequently had to remove boulders that were blocking the trails, or get through foot-deep mud, or ford rivers and streams. The two men had to stop frequently to repair blown tires or broken axles. Part of the bet was that the trip would be made within 90 days- at times it looked like "a near run thing" because of all the stopping to make repairs and to wait for spare parts. Adding to the excitement of the trip was the fact that two other teams, sponsored by Packard and Oldsmobile, were trying to make the same trip- although they both started about a month after Jackson and Crocker. Besides the great photos (taken by Dr. Jackson en route), the two authors have included numerous excerpts from the letters that Jackson wrote to his wife, Bertha, during the trip. The doctor's great affection for Bertha comes through in every letter, as does his can-do, optimistic personality (he was fond of comparing himself to Theodore Roosevelt). Duncan and Burns also include lots of newspaper headlines of the time, which are refreshing for their quaint, old-fashioned language (Jackson and Crocker are referred to as "transcontinentalists" and "automobilists") and lack of cynicism. Though brief (because of all the photos, the book can easily be read in one or two sittings), this is a wonderful trip back in time to the days when a person driving a car could still feel like (and indeed, was) a pioneer.
    19 people found this helpful
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  • Judy
    5.0 out of 5 stars I still marvel at the premise of this book. ...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I still marvel at the premise of this book. Each page was so informative about early motoring. Wow! what a guy, to take off into the unknown with an unknown vehicle. His eternal optimism is unbelievable. And then to take an unknown dog with him!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Del Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars Looking forward to bedtime reading!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Looks fab, many pictures and some good bedtime reading. Absolutely fine condition. Very pleased as it come across the Atlantic from the US and is an ex-Washington County library book, which is a nice touch.
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    Del Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Looking forward to bedtime reading!

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 22, 2017
    Looks fab, many pictures and some good bedtime reading. Absolutely fine condition. Very pleased as it come across the Atlantic from the US and is an ex-Washington County library book, which is a nice touch.
    Images in this review
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  • Alona
    5.0 out of 5 stars Present
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    We watched & very much enjoyed the TV series this book was bought for my husband he enjoyed it. Write 20 words what else is there to say I havent read it.
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  • Andrew Drysdale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great book in good condition delivered on time - Thanks.
    Report
  • Sonia Callaway
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 5, 2017
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    Present
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  • Paul CARTER
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2015
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    FASCINATING...
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