David McCullough at 90

My appreciation of history has led me to books written by a like-minded individual, historical author David McCullough.

It was 90 years ago this month that he was born, on July 7, 1933.  Many of his books showcase US history, especially the American Revolutionary period.  I've read a few of them, including 1776, The Pioneers, and, going beyond the boundaries of this country, The Path Between the Seas, about the Panama Canal's construction.

He has an amazing ability to steep himself in history in the process of writing, resulting in books with so much content.

In the case of The Path Between the Seas, it focused so much on the obstacles of construction, including disease and financial troubles, rather than the engineering, which was more interesting to me.

Nevertheless, he develops a great narrative in his stories.  He added so much riveting detail to unfold the story of how the Wright Brothers launched the first successful airplane flights.

He tells an interesting story that narrates USA history just after the American Revolution in The Pioneers, focusing on the fascinating locale of Marietta, OH, which was one of the first major settlements in the Old Northwest.

The book 1776 is a good example of how he focuses on one important year in the American Revolution and unpacks what happens, divided into three parts.

I once saw an interview with him on NBC News and he was walking around the area of New York City where the Battle of Long Island occurred.  It was amazing to watch him pointing out what was there.  And there was a school group out on a field trip, and a chaperone actually recognized him.

Indeed, he got so in tune with history in the process of writing his books, and helps us do the same.

Thank you, David McCullough, for your masterpieces.