Writer David McCullough aims to make history come alive

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By Scripps Howard | Saturday, June 18, 2005 10:55 PM CDT | () comments

SCRIPPS HOWARD David McCullough signs copies of his latest, "1776," at an appearance in Washington, D.C.

He is a traveler, landscape painter, grandfather and husband. He is most commonly known as an author, and he brings history to life.

Although the events in his latest book took place 229 years ago, David McCullough describes the year 1776 as if he were alive at the time.

"If you read this book, you can read the passion," said Timothy Perry, a history teacher in Washington, who attended a recent book signing.

Since the release of his new book, "1776," in May, McCullough, 71, has been on a 22-city tour, meeting his long list of fans.

"I do it because I get to meet my readers," McCullough said. "And who is more important than my readers?"

McCullough is not only talking about his book but also sharing his concerns about the future of children and history.

"We are raising kids who are historically illiterate," McCullough told a crowd of about 500 during a book signing in Washington. "We have to take part in teaching our children history."

McCullough practices what he preaches. He is doing his part to teach history through his writing.

"His statements about children and history are correct," said Molly Fitzgerald, a history teacher in Alexandria, Va., after the author's talk. "I fully intend on sharing stories from �1776' with my students."

In the book, McCullough tells the military side of the American Revolution.

"When writing �John Adams,' I was frustrated because I couldn't tell about the people who were fighting in the war," McCullough said in a telephone interview. "This book is the other side of 1776."

McCullough's research for his biography of the second U.S. president encouraged him to write "1776." McCullough said people need to be reminded of the ideals that America was founded on.

"1776 was the most important year and most important conflict," he said. "I thought it was important to talk about the darkest time in history."

McCullough used material gathered at more than 25 libraries, archives and historical sites in the United States and the United Kingdom.

"I research and write at the same time," McCullough said.

The author was born in Pittsburgh in 1933. He recalled having nightly conversations with his family about history and other topics when he was a child.

"Every night at 6:30 when my father came home, the conversations would begin," he told the audience at the book signing. His father and grandfather founded the McCullough Electric Co.

McCullough majored in English at Yale University and won the Pulitzer Prize twice, for his biographies of Presidents Harry Truman and Adams.

"I write the kind of books I would like to read," McCullough said. "Unless history is written to be read, it won't last."