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David McCullough makes history come alive! Oh! That history were taught this way rather than just dates. Real people lived and determined history. Knowing them aids is in knowing history.
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Brave Companions: Portraits in History
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Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780671792763
From Alexander von Humboldt to Charles and Anne Lindbergh, these are stories of people of great vision and daring whose achievements continue to inspire us today, brilliantly told by master historian David McCullough.
The bestselling author of Truman and John Adams, David McCullough has written profiles of exceptional men and women past and present who have not only shaped the course of history or changed how we see the world but whose stories express much that is timeless about the human condition.
Here are Alexander von Humboldt, whose epic explorations of South America surpassed the Lewis and Clark expedition; Harriet Beecher Stowe, “the little woman who made the big war”; Frederic Remington; the extraordinary Louis Agassiz of Harvard; Charles and Anne Lindbergh, and their fellow long-distance pilots Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Beryl Markham; Harry Caudill, the Kentucky lawyer who awakened the nation to the tragedy of Appalachia; and David Plowden, a present-day photographer of vanishing America.
Different as they are from each other, McCullough’s subjects have in common a rare vitality and sense of purpose. These are brave companions: to each other, to David McCullough, and to the reader, for with rare storytelling ability McCullough brings us into the times they knew and their very uncommon lives.
From Alexander von Humboldt to Charles and Anne Lindbergh, these are stories of people of great vision and daring whose achievements continue to inspire us today, brilliantly told by master historian David McCullough.
The bestselling author of Truman and John Adams, David McCullough has written profiles of exceptional men and women past and present who have not only shaped the course of history or changed how we see the world but whose stories express much that is timeless about the human condition.
Here are Alexander von Humboldt, whose epic explorations of South America surpassed the Lewis and Clark expedition; Harriet Beecher Stowe, “the little woman who made the big war”; Frederic Remington; the extraordinary Louis Agassiz of Harvard; Charles and Anne Lindbergh, and their fellow long-distance pilots Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Beryl Markham; Harry Caudill, the Kentucky lawyer who awakened the nation to the tragedy of Appalachia; and David Plowden, a present-day photographer of vanishing America.
Different as they are from each other, McCullough’s subjects have in common a rare vitality and sense of purpose. These are brave companions: to each other, to David McCullough, and to the reader, for with rare storytelling ability McCullough brings us into the times they knew and their very uncommon lives.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 1,1991
This edition
- Format
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240 pages, Paperback
- Published
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November 1, 1992 by Simon Schuster
- ISBN
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- ASIN
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- Language
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English
About the author
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David McCullough was a Yale-educated, two-time recipient of both the Pulitzer Prize (Truman; John Adams) and the National Book Award (The Path Between the Seas; Mornings on Horseback). His many other highly-acclaimed works of historical non-fiction include The Greater Journey, 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, The Wright Brothers, and The Johnstown Flood. He was honored with the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, the National Humanities Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in addition to many other awards and honors. Mr. McCullough lived in Boston, Mass.
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Short stories of some fairly well known individuals, and others more obscure; at least to me. McCullough never offensive, rarely pushes the reader in any direction, he reports facts and then allows you your opinion. If he wants to emphasize a point he is splendid at analogies. In this book though he does take the time to educate the public on the importance of history in our world, he laments the fact that that there hasn't been enough educating people on the working and individuals in the House and Senate. In fact he feels lessons in history should be mandatory for presidents.
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This book of biographical sketches seems analogous to the Bonus material on DVDs. I don't know if this is true, but it feels like getting "extra" information that couldn't be included in the hefty tomes he had written.
While listening, it was fun to match up the subjects with McCullough books I've already read. He brings life to people who lived long ago; they become familiar and knowable. Books, music, art, historical locations were all referenced. I am tempted to get the print edition from the library in order to follow up on these. Alas, my TBR list is already a tall and looming mountain.
While listening, it was fun to match up the subjects with McCullough books I've already read. He brings life to people who lived long ago; they become familiar and knowable. Books, music, art, historical locations were all referenced. I am tempted to get the print edition from the library in order to follow up on these. Alas, my TBR list is already a tall and looming mountain.
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Review to come.
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Interesting mix of essays on various Americans and on their great achievements. From the construction of the Panama Railway to the Brooklyn Bridge, to photographing the America that is vanishing.
McCullough culled through decades of essays to compile this book. Some were more interesting to me than others- but all of the essays made me think about how far the imagination can take us.
McCullough culled through decades of essays to compile this book. Some were more interesting to me than others- but all of the essays made me think about how far the imagination can take us.
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For me this is yet another book by David McCullough in my quest to read all his books. This one is very interesting, in that in it he has compiled several essays mostly from magazine articles giving accounts of exceptional individuals he has researched through his writing experience. Each is very inspiring. McCullough brings some little reported stories of some well known and some obscure personalities. This quote from his introduction displays the heart of his style in bringing these “Portraits in History” to the pages of this book:
“It is a shame that history is ever made dry and tedious, or offered as a chronicle almost exclusively of politics, war, and social issues, when, of course, it is the full sweep of human experience: politics, war, and social issues to be sure, but also music, science, religion, medicine, the way things are made, new ideas, high attainments in every field, money, the weather, love, loss, endless ambiguities and paradoxes and small towns you never heard of. History is a spacious realm. Their should be no walls…What History is all about is life…”
Having read “Brave Companions” I am fascinated by most of the persons and stories McCullough presents and some particularly interest me.
Frederic Remington illustrated a series of articles by Theodore Roosevelt later published in the book, “Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail”. I have ordered a copy of this book first published in 1888.
It seems every time I read a book, I am inclined, as I gain knowledge of writers and other books, to read several more books. In reading about the aviators as authors in chapter nine, I want to read their books. Now after discovering the person and works of Conrad Richter in chapter 10, I am anxious to read even more—so many books; so little time.
David McCullough sought out Conrad Richter and considered him his friend. The great author of this generation honors a great author of the generation before him in this writing. And McCullough did it well. As he says, “…this is a personal reminiscence, not a review or literary appraisal.”
I want to read Conrad Richter’s trilogy: “The Trees, The Fields”, and “The Town” all issued in one volume under the title, “The Awakening Land”.
In Chapter 13 David McCullough tells of a day trip he took with celebrated and award-winning photographer and author David Plowden. McCullough shows a lot about the style and personality of Plowden. I enjoyed reading this account very much, almost having a vicarious experience. I love to be on the road and to visit towns along the way. Plowden’s photography centers on the places, buildings, homes and other structures, even steel mills. He loves talking and writing about his encounters. This is a wonderful read.
Before reading this, I had not heard of David Plowden, but now want to explore his photography and read his books. While I type out this review, I am listening to James Taylor’s song, “Our Town”. Google David Plowden and explore his wonderful black and white Photography. This is the stuff to really like!
“It is a shame that history is ever made dry and tedious, or offered as a chronicle almost exclusively of politics, war, and social issues, when, of course, it is the full sweep of human experience: politics, war, and social issues to be sure, but also music, science, religion, medicine, the way things are made, new ideas, high attainments in every field, money, the weather, love, loss, endless ambiguities and paradoxes and small towns you never heard of. History is a spacious realm. Their should be no walls…What History is all about is life…”
Having read “Brave Companions” I am fascinated by most of the persons and stories McCullough presents and some particularly interest me.
Frederic Remington illustrated a series of articles by Theodore Roosevelt later published in the book, “Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail”. I have ordered a copy of this book first published in 1888.
It seems every time I read a book, I am inclined, as I gain knowledge of writers and other books, to read several more books. In reading about the aviators as authors in chapter nine, I want to read their books. Now after discovering the person and works of Conrad Richter in chapter 10, I am anxious to read even more—so many books; so little time.
David McCullough sought out Conrad Richter and considered him his friend. The great author of this generation honors a great author of the generation before him in this writing. And McCullough did it well. As he says, “…this is a personal reminiscence, not a review or literary appraisal.”
I want to read Conrad Richter’s trilogy: “The Trees, The Fields”, and “The Town” all issued in one volume under the title, “The Awakening Land”.
In Chapter 13 David McCullough tells of a day trip he took with celebrated and award-winning photographer and author David Plowden. McCullough shows a lot about the style and personality of Plowden. I enjoyed reading this account very much, almost having a vicarious experience. I love to be on the road and to visit towns along the way. Plowden’s photography centers on the places, buildings, homes and other structures, even steel mills. He loves talking and writing about his encounters. This is a wonderful read.
Before reading this, I had not heard of David Plowden, but now want to explore his photography and read his books. While I type out this review, I am listening to James Taylor’s song, “Our Town”. Google David Plowden and explore his wonderful black and white Photography. This is the stuff to really like!
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McCullough wrote about people and events he encountered researching his other great books. Some of these people are personal companions he has met. He points out the influences people have on others and history. I did like his chapter on W.D.C. and the books about it. He said the books you read in the next ten years will be the most important of your life, so Read On!
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Really liked this collection of articles about some people who made a difference in America.
Great colorful details and intriguing history. Uplifting and positive, overall.
McCullough adds to our national culture in immeasurable ways.
Great colorful details and intriguing history. Uplifting and positive, overall.
McCullough adds to our national culture in immeasurable ways.
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