"This book is a gift. . . . It's a powerful argument for keeping history alive."— Michael Schaub NPR
“[McCullough] is one of the great historical storytellers of his generation. . . . Fundamentally Mr. McCullough loves the American story and its most illustrious characters.”— Robert W. Merry The Wall Street Journal
“A national treasure, McCullough performs a national service in The American Spirit. Insightful and inspirational, it summons a vexed and divided nation to remember - and cherish - our unifying ideas and ideals.”— Jay Strafford Richmond Times Dispatch
"McCullough's passion for history and his profound belief in America, or at least his vision of America . . . is both encompassing and deeply hopeful. . . .Clio, the muse of history, smiles and nods her head on every page." — Kirkus Reviews
“McCullough perfectly embodies the part of remember-in-chief. . . . Happily, the same qualities that inform McCullough’s histories and biographies also shape his speeches. He is, whether at his desk or a lectern, a consummate storyteller.”
— Danny Heitman Christian Science Monitor
“Very few among us possess the encompassing and informed perspective on America’s past and present that historian and best-selling author McCullough has gained over decades of research. . . . McCullough’s legions of fans will flock to this edifying collection.”— Booklist
“A carefully crafted, well-reasoned, heartfelt testament to what this nation can be — past, present, and we must believe — future.”
— Barbara Hall The Providence Journal
“Acclaimed historian David McCullough’s The American Spirit is as inspirational as it is brilliant, as simple as it is sophisticated. It will at the same time make you laugh and give rise to tears of despair. . . . This is not patriotic boilerplate. McCullough is a historian and a realist. He sees his nation with all its warts, beginning with its indelible birthmark of slavery and continuing through to today’s government dysfunction and political polarization. Yet he remains confident and upbeat.”— Edward Cuddihy Buffalo News
"This collection captures McCullough's passion and vigor throughout. . . . [His] enthusiasm for history is infectious."— Andrew Carroll The Los Angeles Review of Books
Why the writer’s work capturing “the Spirit of America” has never been more timely.
April showers bring May flowers, and fantastic history books. Here are 10 of the month’s best
Every year it’s the same: we all know the holidays are coming (they’re literally marked on our calendars) and every year we find ourselves scrambling to think of gifts for an ever-larger list of people. But this year is going to be different. This is the year you’re going to start planning right now, and […]
2017 was a monumental year for the world, and just as great a one for books that look back on how we got to here. These 25 books encompass a wide range of subjects, writing styles, and personalities, but they all have one thing in common—by shedding light on the past (even if only the […]
2017 was a tough year for reality, in the sense that many of us spent the year trying as hard as possible to avoid it. But the only way 2018 is going to be a better year is if we learn a few things, and there’s no better way to improve your understanding of the […]