From Alexander von Humboldt to Charles and Anne Lindbergh; these are stories of people of great vision and daring whose achievements continue to inspire us today; brilliantly told by master historian David McCullough.The bestselling author of Truman and John Adams; David McCullough has written profiles of exceptional men and women past and present who have not only shaped the course of history or changed how we see the world but whose stories express much that is timeless about the human condition. Here are Alexander von Humboldt; whose epic explorations of South America surpassed the Lewis and Clark expedition; Harriet Beecher Stowe; “the little woman who made the big warâ€; Frederic Remington; the extraordinary Louis Agassiz of Harvard; Charles and Anne Lindbergh; and their fellow long-distance pilots Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Beryl Markham; Harry Caudill; the Kentucky lawyer who awakened the nation to the tragedy of Appalachia; and David Plowden; a present-day photographer of vanishing America. Different as they are from each other; McCullough’s subjects have in common a rare vitality and sense of purpose. These are brave companions: to each other; to David McCullough; and to the reader; for with rare storytelling ability McCullough brings us into the times they knew and their very uncommon lives.
#585989 in Books Studio 10 1995-08-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 20.00 x 20.00 x 20.00l; #File Name: 0670863394192 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I had just returned from St Petersburg and enjoyed getting to see pictures of some of the palaces ...By Patricia SmithI had just returned from St Petersburg and enjoyed getting to see pictures of some of the palaces I didn't get to see while I was there. So many beautiful places!3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Interesting book. Recommended. Some other reading options suggestedBy DrThe Reviewers K Maxwell;; and Phillip Bullard have covered the main points I will just make a few points and mention some other booksThe book under review contains a number of interesting palaces but these need supplementation to give more balance.PositivesI think the author has done very well at introducing mainly less well known palaces and discussed them and there contents well . As there are 9 chapters each gets relatively brief coverage. The strength of the book is its broad coverage from the huge palace complex at Pushkin to more modest palaces. We learn who they were built for;and for how much. There are details on architects decorators and design features. Most of the photos and text relate to the interiors. The photography is of a very high standard with only a few disappointing shots. The text is also very well written? I think this book is an excellent introduction to a range of Romanov Palaces . I certainly think this is a very good book to have on the shelf but I would not recommend it as the only bookIt depends on your tastes but I think you should have a book or two that show the shear vastness of the palaces complexes at Petrodoverts ( Peterhof) and Tsarskoye Selo ( Puskin) One needs to get a feel for the vastness of the main Palaces and the various outhouses around the estate. The Gardens; and Parks are also very importantOne misses a bibliography and indexGeneral commentsThere are a large number of Romanov PalacesSeveral are truly huge. One thinks of The Winter Palace in St Petersburg and the Palaces of Petrodoverts (Peterhof) and Tsarskoye Selo ( Pushkin) outside St Petersburg.There are the more intimate palaces like Pavlovsk and Catchina ; and Oranienbaum and others covered in this bookThen there are the palaces of a large number of Grand DukesK Maxwell has listed these so I will only note a few pointsThe. Catherine Palace is in The Tsarskoye Selo complex ( Puskin)The Chinese Palace is at OrranienbaumFor those who are new to Romanov Palaces one should know about some of the followingSeveral books of interest areThe Winter PalaceThis is a truly astounding set of watercolours done in the 19th century . Rare copies come up ; often $250 plusSee the review. For lovers of the winter PalaceI will try and find a cheaper book or two as well. Most books on the Winter Palace focus on its role as the great art museum -- the HermitageImperial Palaces in the Vicinity of St.Petersburg: Watercolours; Paintings and Engravings from the XVIIIth and XIXth Centuries (4 Volumes)Mainly 19 th century Watercolours of Peterhof; Tsarskoye Selo; Pavlovsk and GatchinaThese watercolours were central to much of the restoration work done post warVery rare and expansiveTsarskoe Selo: Watercolours; paintings and engravings from the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries (Imperial Palaces in the Vicinity of St. Petersburg; Volume 4 "Views of the Palaces of Tsarskoe Selo")The volume on Tsarskoye Selo . One of the two huge palaces with PeterhofComes up more often; about $75 or so. For those who want to see pre WWII views and compare them to the restoration. See reviewsRisen from the ashes: Petrodvorets; Pushkin; PavlovskSee reviewCovers the restoration of these three palaces post WWIIContains extensive exterior and interior views in good colour. A very good tour of the various building; outhouses ; gardens and parks. Variously priced often around $50 plusPavlovsk Palace ParkA very full coverage of this more intimate palace and park with good colour photography. A truly excellent tour of Palace and Grounds. It is I paged but my guess is it is between 250-300 pages making it very comprehensiveSee my review0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Pretty pictures; but the background is confused given the ...By DENISE MCALLISTERPretty pictures; but the background is confused given the names given in the book are different than the names given to the palaces now.
