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Student Essays Share Insights
on Celebrity Speaker
"The interesting thing, though, is that through what I
learned from and about David McCullough, I began to understand what history is."
The assignment for the students who received
tickets to hear historian and writer David McCullough was to write about
the experience of meeting him at the California History Center reception
on Sunday afternoon, May 4, and his "Celebrity Forum" lecture
on May 5 at the Center for Performing Arts in San Jose. Each student reviewed
a different book written by Dr. McCullough. This was their quarter project
for History 17C-03.
Instructor Jean Libby's method of teaching is field trip projects done
in small groups, finding that the experience is relevant to later life
at work and in the community. Libby has been a community college history
instructor in northern California since 1994 and at De Anza College since
1999.
 Pictured
from left to right: Christopher Wilson, who is studying medicine, intending
to become a chiropractor; Andy Chen a high school student taking the college
class through a cooperative program for academically mature students; David
McCullough; Jean Libby and Karen Robinson, who has been accepted to the nursing
program at Cal State University San Luis Obisbo.
Andy Chen’s assigned book was "Path Between the Seas, The Creation
of the Panama Canal 1870-1914" (Simon and Schuster, 1977). His paper excerpts:
On May 5th, two other students, myself, and about twenty-five hundred people
arrived at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. The venue was quite
large, but even then, twenty-five hundred people filled it seat for seat. Why
were we all there? To hear the famous historian, David McCullough, speak. When
I say famous, I was only going by what little information I knew about him–that
twenty-five hundred people were willing to gather and listen to him speak. I
had met him briefly the day before which provided me with a better idea (but
I was still learning) of who, exactly, David McCullough is. The interesting
thing, though, is that through what I learned from and about David McCullough,
I began to understand what history is.
Arriving at the California History Center reception, I had no real idea who
David McCullough was, but his short speech began to clear things up. Soft spoken,
he managed to captivate the entire room with just his presence. When they read
off his achievements, I was struck with more than just a little awe. He began
talking, initially, about his grandchildren, but he managed to segue smoothly
into talking about his current project; the specific year of 1778 as it pertains
to the American Revolution. This immediately piqued my interest; particularly
when he mentioned how his book was predominantly focused on the military aspects
of that volatile year. In a few minutes, he was able to, I imagine, even sell
his book; the whole audience was clearly waiting for each and every word he
spoke. This is a very valuable skill, no doubt, especially regarding history;
the stereotype about historians usually involves the dry dissertation of inane
subjects or concepts, very often involving exceedingly trivial things like unrelated,
unanalyzed facts. I would like to say that over the past couple of years of
having taken history courses, I know better, but Mr. McCullough provided good
proof contrary to that misconception. Quiet though he was, he was not without
passion or zeal; it was just a little more subtle or hidden than most people
would imagine. Yet, again, when he began talking, there was a certain magic
to it–every word, every intonation, everything; this was powerful stuff
to be sure.
The next day, during his talk, Mr. McCullough touched upon several important
points. On the whole, his topics were varied. Most of them were contextual
(by contextual, I mean information specifically regarding his work and
his research), but some were more universal. First and foremost is that
history is happening all the time. Of course, looking at the definition
of the word “history,” this is most assuredly true. Many people
might even know this, but I think that very few actually understand this
concept. The general idea is to emphasize the past, thus “the past”
becomes a metonym for “history.” This is very unfortunate,
and that indulging in this practice often means that current events are
overlooked in their importance. Again, his transitions are very smooth;
it is difficult to notice any edges at all. The only way to perceive that
a change in topic has been made is to take mental snapshots; before and
after. Otherwise, the change is so subtle so as to be invisible. Of his
contextual information, I found that the comparisons he drew from today
and then to be most fascinating. Particularly concepts like communication;
how important it is, and how advanced and fortunate we are today. Surely,
as some archaeologists might say, to understand the present, we must understand
the past.
Christopher Wilson’s assigned book was "Truman" (Simon
and Schuster, 1992) His paper excerpts:
"...imagine my surprise when I started to read this story
of President Truman's life and the history that surrounded it! I was actually
enjoying this book!"Mr. McCullough is quaint in his ways and voluble
with his words. His acclaim runs far and wide, earning many honorary degrees,
being honored as one of the few private citizens to be asked to speak before
a join session of Congress, and was invited to return to speak at the San Jose
Center for the Performing Arts for a third time, when it is rare for someone
to be invited back a second time.
Mr. McCullough’s talents as a gifted speaker make him very realistic
and practical, focusing on the important things in life, such as the love that
he has for his wife Rosalee Barnes McCullough, who he met while attending Yale.
It was touching to see the way Mr. McCullough expressed his love and admiration
for his wife at the beginning of the speech. Mr. McCullough called her up to
stand beside him so everyone in the audience could see his "Hero."
Generally speaking, when I sit down to read a book, my genre of choice is usually
something more visceral like a suspense or mystery that is packed with action
and revolves around the good guy vs. bad guys theme. The very idea of reading
David McCullough's "Truman," written in large part for the reference
public, would never have occurred to me. So imagine my surprise when I started
to read this story of President Truman's life and the history that surrounded
it! I was actually enjoying this book! I have also come to realize that Mr.
McCullough’s writing style is actually drawing my interest. I feel as
though I’m there. watching history unfold. It is this very talent that
makes David McCullough stand out as a historian and biographer. When Mr. McCullough
received his honorary degree from Yale, the citation included the following,
"As a historian, he paints with words, giving us pictures of the American
people that live, breathes, and above all, confront the fundamental issues of
courage, achievement, and moral character."
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