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Brave Companions (Paperback)

~ David McCullough (Author) "ON A MORNING in May 1804, there arrived at the White House by Baltimore coach, and in the company of the painter Charles Willson Peale,..." (more)
Key Phrases: strip miners, steam road, New York, United States, White House (more...)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)

List Price: $15.00
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Frequently Bought Together

Brave Companions + Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt + The Johnstown Flood
Price For All Three: $33.24

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Despite the diversity of their interests and achievements, the men and women profiled in this collection of 17 essays by bestselling historian McCullough ( The Great Bridge ; The Path Between the Seas ) had a lot in common. Whether scientist (Louis Agassiz, Alexander von Humboldt), engineer (John and Washington Roebling), writer (Harriet Beecher Stowe, Conrad Aiken) or artist (Frederic Remington), each had a special perspective that continues to influence us. A skilled portraitist, McCullough vibrantly captures these viewpoints as he relates their impact on his own thought. Produced over 20 years, the essays unfold seamlessly to reveal the uniqueness of individuals whose "work and interests are inspiriting forces." History Book Club and QPB alternates.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


From School Library Journal

YA-- McCullough's compendium of fascinating mini-biographies is a sheer delight, and will hold the attention of many history and science students. In this distillation of over 20 years of his shorter essays, the author chose individuals who are distinctive for their contributions to culture. The 17 biographies highlight the fields of social work, etymology, architecture, literature, and history, all of which are interconnected in memorable ways. The book maintains strong reader interest because of an intelligent, practiced, precise style combined with a wise and rich choice of subject. Familiar figures such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, Miriam Rothschild, and Teddy Roosevelt share space with lesser-known individuals--but all are people who merit admiration. Superb storytelling with a unique slant makes this work a strong acquisition for all collections.
- Carol Beall, Immanuel Christian School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 1, 1992)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0671792768
  • ISBN-13: 978-0671792763
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,657 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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David G. McCullough
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41 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (41 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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114 of 117 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Resurrecting Quirky, Forgotten Heroes, May 22, 2002
What a delightful, inspiring collection of concise biographical profiles!

MuCullough culls the last few centuries for extraordinary men and women whose names might vaguely trigger a bell, but whose achievements and courage have mostly been forgotten. Going beyond the trivia answers, McCullough recreates the historical context and human passions that drove Alexander von Humboldt to explore South America, Frederic Remington to paint a vanishing way of life, Harriet Beecher Stowe to write Uncle Tom's Cabin (the most popular book - and play of the 19th century America!), and Miriam Rothschild's studies of insects.

Yet the most fascinating chapter, by far, celebrates the literary powers of pioneer airplane pilots: Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Beryl Markham, and Charles and Anne Lindbergh. Rising above the clouds as no man or woman had ever done before, these courageous souls combined a love of science and technology with a sense of reverence for nature's beauty. "With the advance of the airplane, they were sure, the old barriers of time and distance would give way, bringing humanity closer together," writes McCullough. "That they would also share a common crisis in such faith is also part of their story."

McCullough does a remarkable job of resurrecting quirky hereoes and suggests that "courage is contagious." Perhaps he's wrong, but I hope he's right as we begin a new century of unknown peril and possibility.

P.S. I've given a few copies of this book as gifts to relatives and friends.

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52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars The Collected McCullough, February 28, 2003
David McCullough is, arguably, the best popular historian of his generation. He has written amazing historical works ("The Johnstown Flood," "The Path Between the Seas," "The Great Bridge) and outstanding Presidential biographies ("Truman," "John Adams," "Mornings on Horseback"). In addition, over the years he has produced numerous shorter pieces for magazines, which were bound together for "Brave Companions."

As a historian, McCullogh has always been very interested in the lives of people, hence the title of the book. In his narrative he brings to life a number of historical figures, some of whom have become quite obscure. Alexander von Humboldt, for example, was a contemporary of Lewis and Clark whose scientific expedition to South America may have been a more impressive feat than the journey of the two Americans. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" author Harriet Beecher Stowe and Old West painter/sculptor Frederic Remington are the subjects of short but frank mini-biographies.

The biographical material remains McCullogh's strong suit and represents the best parts of this collection. A few of the other pieces don't work quite as well. Some were written as long as 30 plus years ago and are dated today. As with any collection of this kind, the reader is likely to focus on those articles that are of the most personal interest. At less that 250 pages of text, the book is a relatively quick read compared to most of McCullough's works.

Overall, an excellent historical work that will particularly be enjoyed by fans of David McCullough.

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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Profiles - People with a purpose, November 1, 2003
By V. L. Wilson "Louisa Rehman" (Millville, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
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Since reading my first David McCullough book, MORNINGS ON HORSEBACK, I was delighted and impressed by the author's depth of research and his easy style of writing. I loved his book, JOHN ADAMS and also TRUMAN. The author can be trusted with the facts and although the books are long, the reader doesn't want them to end - they are that interesting! I plan to read all of David McCullough's books.

BRAVE COMPANIONS is a wonderful easily readable book of interesting in depth portraits of people with a purpose. The author makes his portrayals come alive in a unique way. You will learn how history was shaped by ordinary people who did amazing things. I was familiar with only a few such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Charles and Anne Lindbergh, and was so pleasantly surprised to read about many others such as Miriam Rothschild and David Plowden. I am happy to have met all of these different and exceptional folks. The last chapter, Simon Willard's Clock is just plain great!

Be warned - when you begin reading this informative book, you will not stop until completing it and you will want to know even more about each subject - it's that good! And, like me, you will buy a few copies to give as gifts.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars What Can I say?
I love this author. I've read all of his books. This one strikes me as something he wrote just to satisfy a publishing comittment. Move past it. TRUMAN was excellent!
Published 23 days ago by T. Sexton

1.0 out of 5 stars Only Bad Effort
I have read all of David McCullough books, and except for this one, found them all to be excellent. This book reads like it was put together from pieces that were edited out of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Vincent W. Peperone

5.0 out of 5 stars David McCullough does it again
Yet another interesting, historically truthful book.
Great reading for primary age children so they can know the real truth about the establishment of our nation and the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Cheryl W. Mingus

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as they say. . .
David McCullough writes history in a non-textbook way. You feel the characters and really get to know much more about them than you ever learned in school. Great book.
Published 7 months ago by V. Sowell

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for everyone!
I read this book with a smile on my face the whole time. I found out things about the most amazing people who (for the most part) are unknown today. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gotmynoseinabook

5.0 out of 5 stars Yummy
When I'm hitting away at several books at a time that have pages in the 500-1000 range, I like to have something to take a break with that is light and easy to read. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Good value, good service
Thanks so much for your prompt service, and the book is just what I wanted.
Published 11 months ago by Lowell Crawford

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Collection
All writers, especially biographers and journalists, have a collection of vignettes in their notebooks or files that are like film outtakes -- they're left on the cutting room... Read more
Published 15 months ago by zorba

5.0 out of 5 stars Brave Companions
Received product promptly and was brand new as described. McCullough is an excellent writer and enjoyable to read.
Published 15 months ago by Christopher L. Ryan

5.0 out of 5 stars Make your teens read it!
David McCulloug is my favorite historian ever since I read THE PATH BETWEEN THE SEAS. Since then I have read his books every time I find one. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Rita Sasso

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