My search for the humanity in the various "historic" periods has provided, thankfully, much of what this great orator holds in such high esteem...people are the sources and shapers of what history becomes...appreciating this is key!
His book "The Pioneers" is wonderful as are all of Mr. McCullough's books. I thought I knew a lot about the Johnstown flood until I read Mr. McCullough's book. I am amazed by his research and facts. The same with his book on the Wright brothers. I could not put it down.
At 86 Mr. McCullough is sharper and smarter and wittier than most in their 20s. I'm curious, though, what his thoughts are on statues and monuments of Roosevelt, Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, et al, being torn down today by the cancelers of history. I suspect he might be heartbroken.
The advantage of research where you nothing, is it is easier to see what is there as opposed to what you expect to be there. We are so lucky a man of his intelligence not only loves learning but knows how to tell a story so we can ride on his erudite shoulders.
He said he was motivated by curiousity to learn about the subjects and topics in the process of writing the book. If he had known already, he said, he would not write the book because curiousity motivation was not there.
Truman: no politician who is wealthier leaving office than when he entered, is honest. By that test, Truman was the most honest President we have had in the last 150 years.
Wrongly, he said that history is not about dates, times and memorization. It is, it is both about dates and times, memorization and the human experience. You need to have history memorized so you can articulate a story about it. Everything he is talking about, he has memorized. I hope that makes sense.
You misunderstood his wisdom. What he's saying is that history is MUCH MORE than simply remembering dates for an exam. History is about people and human interactions. The best Teachers and life-long students take the time to really listen to David M's wisdom, understand this and put some of it into action. David M's wisdom is the Grand Canyon to our small puddles - and many of us don't even realize it. Thus endeth the lesson.
Sorry, but people don't clink their glass of Champagne to satisfy their sense of hearing...Otherwise they would do it when they were home alone. And no one does that. The only time people clink a glass of Champagne is when they're toasting someone. Isn't it possible that people clink their glass of Champagne because they're holding a glass of Champagne, and can't clap? Or perhaps it's simply an individual's way of saying, "Look at this! I've got Champagne!" Just a thought...hopefully worth mulling over.
