A fantastic set of essays on history and historical figures.

Okay, confession time: this is the fist McCullough I've read. His books have been recommended to me dozens of times (especially John Adams), but I have always had this aversion to "popular" historians. There are certain popular historians that I just distrust--they have published too much to have done much of the work themselves--or to really dive into the material.
McCullough does not appear to be one of those "popular" historians.
This book is a collection of essays, first published in 1991. The majority of the essays are brief, biographical sketches of some fascinating people--some of whom I had never heard of, many of whom don't follow into my usual categories of historical interest. But each essay was wonderful. He introduced me to some people I would love to know more about, such as Miriam Rothschild. He told the jaw-dropping story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and the railroad line across Panama (before the canal).
I loved his writing style--he doesn't get bogged down in details like so many historians, but somehow senses exactly what we the reader need to know in order to understand.
Highly recommended. I may even tackle John Adams one of these days.

I particularly enjoyed the pieces about the Brooklyn Bridge, Miriam Rothschild, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Harry Caudill. McCullough has a wonderful way of telling their stories and making the people seem so real.

Exceptional story telling! Never gets boring and gives you real insight into historical figures.

Great men of history, whitewashed.

mhuberty03's review

4.0
hopeful informative medium-paced

My uncle made me read this book while I’m visiting him in DC. I thought it was interesting. The author talked about how  historical successes really need to be talked about more because then people believe they can make change. It was a good book.

I loved this collection of essays written for magazines and speechs by McCullough on various people & places. I have a much greater appreication for the Brooklyn Bridge, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and David Plowden to name a few. I really love his books.

justellie's review

4.0
slow-paced

I wasn't sure this book would hold my attention,but was I wrong. I find myself thinking of these stories throughout the day. You can tell Mr.McCullough truly loves history,and has such a way of telling a story. I learned so much, painlessly!

sonia921's review

4.0

Would be a good book to pick up and read a bit then put down.