The Course of Human Events

by David McCullough

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of John Adams. On May 15th, 2003 David McCullough presented The Course of Human Events as The 2003 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities in Washington, DC. The Jefferson Lecture is a tribute to McCullough's lifetime investigation of history. In this short speech, this master historian tracks his fascination with all things historical to his early days in Pittsburgh where he "learned to love history by way of books" in bookshops and at the local show more library. McCullough eloquently leads us through the founding fathers' attraction to history, letting us in on his composition of 1776 as well as the Pulitzer Prize winning John Adams. His obvious affection for history is inspiring, because it encompasses the whole reach of the human drama. In McCullough's able hands, history truly "is a larger way of looking at life.". show less

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4 reviews
Yet another incredible work from David McCullough. I haven't read all of his works yet, but this was thoroughly enjoyable. I am a student of history and enjoy reading works of history written with integrity. Mr. McCullough is unmatched and his passion for history comes through in this speech.

The first book of his I read was the John Adams. Since then, I've read the Johnstown Flood, 1776, The Pioneers and more. He was a gifted and talented writer who made history come alive.

Any of his works are worth the time it takes to read them.
Not really a book...more like an academic lecture. While the subject matter is entertaining and motivating, the author's delivery is academic--many long parenthetical phrases that make comprehension difficult but communicate precisely. Maybe, i did not get the point, exactly, but I'd rather spend my time elsewhere and I'm glad that I borrowed it and did not have to pay for it.
A beautiful tribute to people, study, and history.
Short, but quite powerful!!!

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58+ Works 64,179 Members
David McCullough was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 7, 1933. He received a bachelor's degree in English literature from Yale University in 1955. After graduation, he moved to New York City and worked as a trainee at Sports Illustrated. He later worked as a writer and editor for the United States Information Agency, in Washington, D.C., show more including a position at American Heritage. His first book, The Johnstown Flood, was published in 1968. His other books include 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, and The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris. He received the Pulitzer Prize twice for Truman and John Adams and the National Book Award twice for The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal and Mornings on Horseback. He also won two Francis Parkman Prizes, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, and New York Public Library's Literary Lion Award. Two of his books, Truman and John Adams, have been adapted into a television movie and mini-series, respectively, by HBO. In December 2006, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He also made the New York Times Best Seller List in 2015 with his book The Wright Brothers, and in 2017 with The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For. (Bowker Author Biography) David McCullough is a writer, historian, lecturer, & teacher. He has received the Pulitzer Prize for "Truman", as well as the Francis Parkman Prize, & the "Los Angeles Times" Book Award. He is also a two-time winner of the National Book Award, for history & for biography. He lives in Massachusetts. (Publisher Provided) show less

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Genres
Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir
DDC/MDS
900History & geographyHistoryHistory, geography, and auxiliary disciplines
LCC
E209 .M338History of the United StatesUnited StatesThe Revolution, 1775-1783
BISAC

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Reviews
4
Rating
(4.16)
Languages
English
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Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
8
ASINs
3