11 David McCullough Books That Bring History to Life

Books by David McCullough

We learn and understand history best when the events are told in an engaging story, with real people having real feelings and real struggles. Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner David McCullough is one of the best history writers who brings us back to important time periods with detail and flair. 

The American author is also a lecturer and historian, as well as a narrator for documentaries and film. For example, he narrated the 2003 film Seabiscuit, and served as host of American Experience over a span of 12 years. 

11 Best David McCullough Books to Travel Back in Time With 

If you want a full-blown experience of history, check out some of these books: 

1. The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West 

Take a look at how the early pioneers settled in the Northwest Territory, braving insurmountable odds and overcoming challenges in order to build the community inspired by common ideals—values that continue to shape America today. 

2. The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal 

Experience the epic importance of how the Panama Canal came to be, with all the drama of this significant achievement in history. This book won the National Book Award for history, with McCullough’s effective weaving of a comprehensive tale. 

3. Brave Companions

The master historian brilliantly shares the stories of several people with gigantic vision and daring: Charles and Anne Lindbergh, Alexander von Humboldt, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Louis Agassiz of Harvard, and many others grace the pages of this comprehensive volume. 

4. The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge 

Explore the drama behind the building of what was the longest suspension bridge in the world during that time, with all the corruption, greed, obstruction, balanced on the other end by heroism, determination, and optimism. 

5. Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt 

This masterpiece is a unique biography on the early years of Theodore Roosevelt. Watch the boy Theodore struggle with his near-fatal asthma attacks, and see him grow up into an amazing man in a very uncommon household. 

6. John Adams 

Through this powerful biography, get to know the brilliant founding father who went on to become the second president of the US and kept the country from an untimely war. See all the politics and social issues surrounding this man, alongside the love, ambition, faith, friendship, and sadly, betrayal. 

7. The Wright Brothers

Dive into the behind-the-scenes drama in the life of the two brave brothers who opened the world to flight: Orville and Wilbur Wright. Can you imagine a world when people didn’t think it was possible to fly? Through this book, you can, and watch how revolutionary the Wright brothers actually were during their time. 

8. The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris 

Explore the inspiring stories of the American doctors, writers, politicians, artists, and many more who went to Paris between 1830 1900 in hopes of learning more and excelling in their life’s work. Watch how this seemingly simple decision went on to change the course of American history. 

9. Truman 

Get to know one of the most important people in American history, Harry S. Truman, whose life included significant world events like the atomic bombing of Japan and even the outbreak of both the Cold War and Korean War. 

10. 1776

Watch the year of our nation’s birth come alive before your eyes in this epic narrative that weaves together all the actions and choices that led to the war between Great Britain and her rebellious colony, eventually placing America’s fate in George Washington’s hands. 

11. The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For 

This book is a collection of Pulitzer Prize-winner and Presidential Medal of Freedom awardee David McCullough’s speeches that bring us back to the foundational principles that first made America great. 

Is David McCullough Working on a New Book? 

David McCullough’s latest book was The Pioneers, published in 2019. The book, unfortunately, met a lot of criticism for what readers believed was too much emphasis on white supremacy. As such, we would advise you to take the book with a grain of salt. 

Other than that, McCullough continues to be a favorite historian among many. If you want a deeper look into a specific period or event in history, check out some of the books he’s written on the subject. 

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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