Learn American history with the best books by David McCullough

History lovers are always on the lookout for quality authors to learn about important historical events. If you want to know more about American history, you’ll be thrilled to learn about the popular historian David McCullough. This bestselling and multiple-award-winning author’s work served as the basis for numerous documentaries and historical TV series.

This article shares an overview of David McCullough’s best books, many of which are New York Times bestsellers.

Who is David McCullough?

David McCullough was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 7, 1933. He died in Hingham, Massachusetts, on August 7, 2022. McCullough is one of the most popular historians, having written some of the most extensive biographies of American presidents.

His work was highly praised by critics and earned him numerous awards:

• Two Pulitzer Prizes
• Two National Book Awards
• Two Francis Parkman Prizes
• Charles Frankel Prize of the National Humanities Medal
• Presidential Medal of Freedom

McCullough narrated multiple documentaries like The Civil War by Ken Burns and the film Seabiscuit. He was also the host of American Experience for 12 years.

The best David McCullough books

John Adams (2001)

John Adams was the second president of the United States. He served from 1797 to 1801. Before serving as president, John Adams was the leader of the American Revolution, which helped the country gain independence from Britain.

In this epic biography, McCullough follows Adam’s adventurous life. This biography won the Pulitzer Prize and served as the basis for the HBO series John Adams starring Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, and Stephen Dillane.

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge (1983)

The Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge at the time of its construction. The making of this bridge translates to a tale of corruption and greed but also of heroism and optimism. After all, the bridge was built when people in America thought everything was possible.

David McCullough wrote The Great Bridge to immortalize the time during the construction of an unprecedented bridge connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan.

The Johnstown Flood (1987)

The Johnstown Flood is about a tragic event serving as a reminder that people with power don’t always behave responsibly. In such situations, the world is prone to tragedies like the one with the dam burst in Johnstown on May 31, 1889, killing more than 2,000 people.

This book portrays a 19th-century America that is thriving with confidence but also tragedy. If you’ve never heard of the Johnstown flood tragedy or would like to know more, this book is the perfect place for that.

The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870 to 1914 (1978)

The Path Between the Seas is an epic chronicle that tracks the construction of the Panama Canal, one of the greatest enterprises that started as just a dream 400 years before its actual development. A canal that connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans is also the story of exceptional accomplishments, political plays, heroism, and tragic failures.

The book contains dozens of photographs, maps, and source references for a more authentic reading experience.

The Wright Brothers (2015)

The legendary Wright brothers, aviation pioneers and inventors, come back to life in David McCullough’s bestseller book The Wright Brothers. This story details how the two brothers, bicycle mechanics in Dayton, Ohio, reshaped the world as we know it, introducing a new era in the transport industry.

Mornings on Horseback (1981)

Mornings on Horseback: The Story of an Extraordinary Family, a Vanished Way of Life and the Unique Child Who Became Theodore Roosevelt is a biography of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the U.S. The book follows the president’s early life, starting in 1869 with the introduction of his family. The author reveals Roosevelt’s medical issues during childhood, followed by his adolescent struggles.

This biography brought McCullough his second National Book Award as well as the Los Angeles Times Prize for Biography.

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris (2011)

In The Greater Journey, McCullough book tells the story of the many American artists, doctors, architects, writers, and other intellectuals who migrated to Paris during the 19th century. The City of Light was a must-visit stop on the path to success. Some of the pioneers who “didn’t want west” include Elizabeth Blackwell (America’s first female doctor), Charles Sumner, James Fenimore Cooper, Samuel F. B. Morse, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and many others.

The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West (2019)

In The Pioneers, McCullough rediscovers the settling of the Northwest Territory. As Britain ceded the land following America’s independence, Massachusetts minister Manasseh Cutler paved the road to the territory for Revolutionary War veterans.

The Northwest Ordinance included three rules: free education, freedom of religion, and prohibition of slavery. This book talks about the five most important characters that marked the epoch.

Truman (1992)

Harry S. Truman’s presidency was remembered for historical events like the dropping of an atomic bomb, the Cold War outbreak, and the Korean War. In this biography titled Truman, McCullough introduces the reader to the president’s eventful life and encounters with Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Joe McCarthy, and many other vivid characters.

The biography of Harry Truman has won McCullough a Pulitzer Prize.

Brave Companions (1991)

Brave Companions is an enthralling story of the world’s most inspiring people and their achievements. The historian introduces the reader to characters such as Alexander von Humboldt, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Lewis and Clark, Louis Agassiz of Harvard, Charles and Anne Lindbergh, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and many others.

Discover David McCullough on Speechify Audiobooks

Speechify Audiobooks is the place to be if you want to learn more about new book releases in history, non-fiction, and all other genres. With more than 60,000 titles available for use today, you can enrich your knowledge of history in an easily digestible format.

If you want to dive into American history with David McCullough, you can listen to many of his books on Speechify. All of the books listed so far have audiobook versions on Speechify, in addition to The American Spirit and 1776. You can even listen to books narrated by David McCullough himself, including The Course of Human Events and American Heritage’s Great Minds of American History.

Try Speechify today, and hear history come alive.

FAQ

Who is David McCullough’s wife?

David McCullough was married to Rosalee Barnes.

Who else writes like David McCullough?

Authors similar to McCullough include his son David McCullough Jr., Joseph J. Ellis, Jon Meacham, Howard Zinn, Walter Isaacson, and James D. Bradley.

Is there a sequel to David McCullough’s 1776?

Yes, the sequel is called The Great Journey, published in 2011.

What genre is David McCullough’s books?

David McCullough is a popular historian. He wrote non-fiction work about the major events and characters that shaped American history.

What is the name of David McCullough’s first published book?

The Johnstown Flood is McCullough’s first published book.

What is David McCullough’s full name?

The author’s full name is David Gaub McCullough.

What is the name of David McCullough’s most recent book?

The Pioneers is the last published book by David McCullough.