History Matters brings together selected essays by beloved historian David McCullough, some published here for the first time, written at different points over the course of his long career but all focused on the subject of his lifelong passion: the importance of history in understanding our present and future. McCullough highlights the importance of character in political leaders, with Harry Truman and George Washington serving as exemplars of American values like optimism and determination. He shares his early influences, from the books he cherished in his youth to the people who mentored him. He also pays homage to those who inspired him, such as writer Paul Horgan and painter Thomas Eakins, illustrating the diverse influences on his writing as well as the influence of art.
McCullough loved to tell a story and, in his polished and accessible style, he always told a good one ... Some of the most interesting portions of this new collection, History Matters, are his descriptions of how he developed a fascination for a subject, or more often, simply stumbled on it ... McCullough [was] an urbane, courtly believer in history as a living, breathing, ever-evolving thing.
Enjoyable ... McCullough’s remarks display concerns about the consequences of historical illiteracy. His pieces also illustrate the power of helping out younger writers and connecting with them.
