Quotable: David McCullough

Renowned historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough gave the 2008 commencement speech at Boston College this past Monday.  It was an oration charged with encouragement and wisdom for his audience.  

There has been a lot of press about one particular section of the address, in which McCullough encourages the graduates to “stop the verbal virus” and limit the use of words such as “awesome”, “actually” and “like”.  While I agree that grammar and vocabulary misuse is a “ginormous” problem (and I’m a huge fan of Lynn Truss’ manifesto Eats, Shoots & Leaves), my favorite lines are the ones that encourage a reading community:

 “Make use of the public libraries.  Start your own library and see it grow.  Talk about the books you’re reading.  Ask others what they’re reading.  You’ll learn a lot.” 

That’s exactly what we do with our blogs, online reading circles and discussion groups!  Many of us are also involved in face-to-face gatherings that meet to exchange ideas, opinions, and sometimes arguments about the books we read.  Mr. McCullough, send those new graduates our way!

Read the full text of McCullough’s speech, “The Love of Learning,” at this link. 

Of McCullough’s works, the only one on my bookshelf is John Adams … which I read and discussed with a book group years before the HBO movie was aired!  After studying this list, I’ve added The Great Bridge to my reading wishlist … what do *you* recommend?

• 1776
• John Adams
• Truman
• 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 Path Between the Seas:  The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870-1940
• The Great Bridge:  The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
• Johnstown Flood