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| Author: David Mccullough
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 3652
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 0671792768
Dewey Decimal Number: 920.073
EAN: 9780671792763
ASIN: 0671792768
Publication Date: November 1, 1992
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| Customer Reviews:
 A Sample of History Writing September 14, 2005
21 out of 22 found this review helpful
David McCullough may be the most revered historian of the twentieth and twenty-first century. This may be somewhat exaggerated, but he keeps the romanticism of the past alive. The cover artwork of BRAVE COMPANIONS: PORTRAITS IN HISTORY shows the wide open spaces of the American landscape, which may suggest the stories and adventures that readers will discover when they read this book. McCullough revisits legendary and not as legendary individuals in American history that have made an impact on American society for their individual contributions. McCullough presents these individuals and their stories as ordinary people and not larger than life characters, which textbooks or biographies have portrayed them to be. Surprisingly, he earned a degree in English and not in History. However, that does not restrict him from preserving the memory of the past in a colorful way. His eloquent and personal writing style entices many to enjoy extensive pages of his narratives on historical figures such as, John Adams, George Washington, and Harry S. Truman.
BRAVE COMPANIONS: PORTRAITS IN HISTORY compiles early essays that McCullough wrote prior to and in between writings of his most notable novels that involved the Brooklyn Bridge, the Panama Canal, and a list of other topics that have found their way into his writings. BRAVE COMPANIONS paints a broad picture of Americana through these essays, and offers a somewhat personal glimpse of literary and historical figures such as, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Louis Agassiz, Miriam Rothschild, and Alexander von Humboldt, as ordinary people who happened to make it into the history books. McCullough introduces each character like an old friend; these are the people he grew to know through his studies and research, and this is his ode to a few of them.
The concluding chapters are the most interesting. McCullough summarizes what history means to him, and how far American history has come. The essay entitled "Recommended Itinerary" reads like a graduation address to graduating college students. McCullough merely states that their learning does not end when they leave the halls of their education, but rather continues when they further discover new areas of learning either through books, travel, or the people they meet. Their education only comes alive when they visit historical monuments, museums, or actual places in which they have only read or talked about in school.
 Charming Lives June 29, 2005
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
What a great read. The profiles in this book are filled with the life and passion so intrinsic to McCullough's work. History comes alive--a phrase often overused but perfectly suited to this unique book. We are enchanted, saddened, charmed, intrigued, and ultimately touched by this carefully chosen selection of lives well-lived. Perfect for relaxing reading during slow summer days, or for history readers everywhere. That the book will appeal to both types of readers is McCullough's gift.
Great portraits June 26, 2005
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
We already knew that McCullough could write history like a great novelist. Here we discover that he can also write history like a great short story writer.
McCullough fans will recognize some of the characters and material included here-- characters from Teddy Roosevelt's American West, the Roeblings of the Brooklyn Bridge, and some remarkable drawings that they left behind. These slightly familiar portions are a treat, like finding little "extras" left over from McCullough's other books.
But there are other characters here as well. Other writers like the extraordinary Harriet Beecher Stowe, whom everyone knows about, but not very much. Or Harry Caudill, a modern day lawyer who became an Appalachian activist. Some of them, like Alexander von Humbolt the South American explorer, will lead the reader to think first, "I've never heard of this person" and second, "Why haven't I?!"
Some of these are works of history; some are really works of journalism. And while all are loosely linked by themes of human courage and dedication, what really links them is that McCullough saw something important in these stories and so wrote about them.
This is a great book to introduce someone with a not-quite-a-whole-book attention span to top-notch historical writing. And for McCullough fans, it's a great chance to see his magazine writing collected.
A Rare Find June 14, 2005
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
Essayist and historian David McCullough spent 20 years culling the data for his literary portraits in "Brave Companions." However, the book reads so seamlessly it is hard to believe that even a moment passed in the discovery and reflection of the information on the brave soldiers of intellect, art, and community portrayed by McCullough. "Brave Companions" goes to familiar territory, but in unfamiliar ways. The stories are inspirational yet easily accessible. McCullough has created a masterpiece. Other recommendations: "1776", "Mornings on Horseback", "A Long Way Down", "The Kite Runner", and "My Fractured Life."
Outstanding Book December 10, 2004
4 out of 11 found this review helpful
Mr. McCullough has written a very thoughtful book. I would recommend it to anyone.
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