David Gaub McCullough (July 7, 1933 – August 7, 2022)

August 8, 2022 12:21 PM

David McCullough, master chronicler of American history, dies at 89 [Washington Post]

"He was also a gifted teacher who taught me about history and writing, and allowed me to escape my many limitations in those areas. I'll forever cherish the time we spent together, and I'll miss my friend dearly."- Ken Burns [Twitter]

Mr. McCullough won Pulitzer Prizes for two presidential biographies, “Truman” (1992) and “John Adams” (2001). He received National Book Awards for “The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal” (1977) and “Mornings on Horseback” (1981), about the young Theodore Roosevelt and his family. [New York Times]

Journey through history with David McCullough [60 Minutes/Youtube]

Historian David McCullough discussed his book, The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West. [C-SPAN]

posted by riruro (23 comments total)

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posted by dlugoczaj at 12:24 PM on August 8, 2022

One of my favorite history authors. Never met a McCullough book I didn't like.
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posted by briank at 12:45 PM on August 8, 2022 [2 favorites]

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posted by humbug at 12:45 PM on August 8, 2022

I graduated from college in the summer, because I had to repeat a history course. I never liked the stream of dates and names and places, which all seemed so dry to me.

Writers like McCullough gave me an entry point back into history -- and not just facile, "popular history" book, but deep explorations of a single topic.

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posted by wenestvedt at 12:47 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by mfoight at 1:03 PM on August 8, 2022

His depiction of John and Abigail Adams was immensely moving and humbling.
posted by mmascolino at 1:11 PM on August 8, 2022 [4 favorites]

He wrote very interesting books (says she who reads presidential history voluntarily).
posted by jenfullmoon at 1:16 PM on August 8, 2022 [1 favorite]

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posted by May Kasahara at 1:17 PM on August 8, 2022

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That voice will stay with me and Mrs. Mosley always from numerous viewings of “The Civil War”. I can remember seeing “Seabuscuit” in the theater and as soon as his voice began the narration, it really scratched an itch.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 1:19 PM on August 8, 2022 [1 favorite]

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posted by Thorzdad at 1:48 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by TedW at 2:03 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by kirkaracha at 2:18 PM on August 8, 2022

When people talk of the Freedom of Writing, Speaking, or thinking, I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more."

-John Adams, Letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 15, 1817.

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posted by clavdivs at 2:46 PM on August 8, 2022 [1 favorite]

I really enjoyed his "The Pioneers," and was peeved at all the hand-wringing over the fact that it was about white males.

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posted by Melismata at 3:11 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by bryon at 4:49 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by Jon_Evil at 4:54 PM on August 8, 2022

Ugh. I have loved so much of his work.
posted by freakazoid at 5:21 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by lhauser at 5:58 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by kitten kaboodle at 7:50 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by gentlyepigrams at 8:33 PM on August 8, 2022

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posted by Pouteria at 6:52 AM on August 9, 2022

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posted by doctornemo at 8:17 AM on August 9, 2022

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I love recommending "The Path Between the Seas" to teenagers.
posted by of strange foe at 7:14 PM on August 13, 2022