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The Pioneers
The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West | David McCullough
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough rediscovers an important and dramatic chapter in the American storythe settling of the Northwest Territory by dauntless pioneers who overcame incredible hardships to build a community based on ideals that would come to define our country. As part of the Treaty of Paris, in which Great Britain recognized the new United States of America, Britain ceded the land that comprised the immense Northwest Territory, a wilderness empire northwest of the Ohio River containing the future states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. A Massachusetts minister named Manasseh Cutler was instrumental in opening this vast territory to veterans of the Revolutionary War and their families for settlement. Included in the Northwest Ordinance were three remarkable conditions: freedom of religion, free universal education, and most importantly, the prohibition of slavery. In 1788 the first band of pioneers set out from New England for the Northwest Territory under the leadership of Revolutionary War veteran General Rufus Putnam. They settled in what is now Marietta on the banks of the Ohio River. McCullough tells the story through five major characters: Cutler and Putnam; Cutlers son Ephraim; and two other men, one a carpenter turned architect, and the other a physician who became a prominent pioneer in American science. They and their families created a town in a primeval wilderness, while coping with such frontier realities as floods, fires, wolves and bears, no roads or bridges, no guarantees of any sort, all the while negotiating a contentious and sometimes hostile relationship with the native people. Like so many of McCulloughs subjects, they let no obstacle deter or defeat them. Drawn in great part from a rare and all-but-unknown collection of diaries and letters by the key figures, The Pioneers is a uniquely American story of people whose ambition and courage led them to remarkable accomplishments. This is a revelatory and quintessentially American story, written with David McCulloughs signature narrative energy.
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Susanita
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David McCullough at the 2019 #nationalbookfestival being interviewed by Marie Arana. RIP David

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Bookwormjillk
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Great idea @megnews

The tagged book gives a great look at Ohio when it was considered the frontier. I have also pictured some of my favorite Ohio reads.

I visit Ohio quite often. My favorite places are Cuyahoga National Park, Lake Erie, and baseball games at Progressive Field. Ohio is also a great place to get a good meal!

#RoadTripUSA2022

megnews I‘ve often wanted to read something by McCullough but haven‘t yet. This one sounds like a great place to start. 2y
47 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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marleed
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Pickpick

Told from the perspective of the white guys in their westward expansion of America into the Ohio Valley but a fascinating history which was never covered in my Northwest upbringing. Now I need to balance it with Indigenous Tribe perspectives. ↓

marleed I had never considered floating down the Ohio River as a destination for visiting Brits. And a buckeye is a tree - lets pretend I knew that! Also very cool that a college library retains the original notes and correspondence of its early settlers allowing historians to research-thank you universities everywhere! 2y
marleed I‘m grateful to the few who believed a free and public education was a necessity for the future of a country - it could have easily gone the other way. 2y
Suet624 I think it‘s funny that you read The Pilgrims followed by The Pioneers. 2y
marleed @Suet624 Haha -you noticed! When I was fingering across my physical books in October readying my bookspin list, I landed on both books separately and decided the titles demanded I read them the week of Thanksgiving! 2y
Suet624 I wondered if thanksgiving has anything to do with it. 😍 2y
65 likes5 comments
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SailorJohn
Pickpick

Reads somewhat like a history book. Ha! Interesting how key individuals drive the success of the pioneers

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TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

Overall I really enjoyed this book about frontier life, especially since the bulk of it takes place in Marietta & environs, so quite close to my home turf. I loved the excerpts from journals & letters that made portions of this book feel very personable. However, at times it seemed like the book lacked focus. Part 3 especially leaves Marietta & sort of meanders around all over the place, almost like McCullough had some quotes he thought were ⬇️

TheAromaofBooks ...too good to leave out but didn't really know where to put them. The writing was engaging but not always smooth.

This wasn't a perfect book by any means (much has been said about its tendency to ignore the perspective of the native tribes of the region) but I didn't pick up a history book of less than 300 pages & expect it to include every detail of every thing that was happening. It does exactly what it says it is going to do in a way that ⬇
(edited) 3y
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) is readable & interesting. I wouldn't recommend it as the only book to read on the topic, but it definitely deserves a slot & has inspired me to check out some more historical locations here in Ohio.

#Booked2021 - #Hear/Here: Set Where You Live (Ohio) - @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaratheBibliophage
#ReadtheUSA2021 - Ohio
#BFC21 - Nonfiction 2/2 - @wanderinglynn
#TBRDeckofCards - @Clwojick
3y
See All 8 Comments
Cinfhen 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻excellent review!!! 3y
wanderinglynn Way to go! 🙌🏻 3y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Great job! 3y
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 3y
90 likes8 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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For my review of Part 2, the endpapers of this book, a copy of a beautiful oil painting by Charles Sullivan.

Part 2 covers 1795-1814: the end of the Indian Wars & the admittance of Ohio as the 17th state. Gigantic increases in population at this time, with boat building as a big part of the industry in Marietta. Also learned that what was probably the first library in Ohio was established in the 1790s when the community of Ames collected ⬇️

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) raccoon pelts that they sent to Boston to sell, using that money to purchase fifty “choice books,“ thus becoming known as the Coonskin Library. 😁

I need to do some more research on this as I had never heard of this library before!!!
(edited) 3y
TheAromaofBooks Note: This was actually the third library established in Ohio (in fairness, when I looked back at the text, McCullough had NOT claimed that it was the first), and Ames (now Amesville) still has “Home of the Coonskin Library“ as the slogan for their town! 😂 3y
68 likes2 comments
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TheAromaofBooks
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Since I allowed this book three slots on my #BookSpinBingo board, I thought I would pause at the end of part 1 to share some fun facts so far - the Northwest Ordinance is an amazing document that set the stage for all of the US's post-colonial expansion west. At a time that slavery was legal in all 13 states, the Ordinance expressly banned it, while emphasizing the importance of education & freedom of religion. There was also a section promising⬇️

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) goodwill & a willingness to work with the native tribes of the region, although that didn't go so well. 😕 Legend says that the first tree cut down by the settlers at Marietta was a Buckeye & the trees in the region were so huge that it wasn't unusual for 5 or 6 men to be chopping down the SAME TREE AT THE SAME TIME. There is a record of one stump (a sycamore) that measured TWENTY-ONE FEET IN DIAMETER!

The leaders of the Marietta ⬇
3y
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) settlement were fascinated by the ancient earthworks they discovered in the region & went out of their way to make sure that they were preserved. The surveying methods for the Ohio territory set the state for surveying the entire rest of the country - prior to this, townships & county lines were marked any old which away, but in Ohio they established straight lines & consistent sizes for township blocks & how many townships in a ⬇ 3y
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) county. I've always loved this - if you look at the counties in, say, Virginia or Massachusetts they're all squiggly lines, but if you look at Ohio (or anywhere west, really) you'll see straight edges and square corners.

That's all just Part 1!! More to come...

This was my final read for the #Slumpathon. I didn't hit my 1600 page goal, but I did make it to 1346, so a solid (long) weekend of reading - thanks for hosting @Hestapleton !!
3y
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Bigcountry15 I enjoyed The Pioneers as well. It gets more interesting as Mr. McCullough introduces us to some interesting characters and reveals the villainy of an early American statesman. Enjoy! 3y
TheAromaofBooks @Bigcountry15 - I really like how much of the story is being told using letters & diaries from the actual settlers themselves, although it also means that parts of the book don't flow very smoothly as he hops around from one person to another lol I live less than 2hrs away from Marietta, so I'm enjoying reading about places I've visited & seen in person. 3y
Bigcountry15 @TheAromaofBooks Personal letters and documents seem to be McCullough's primary sources for most of his work. I think it helps the history come alive. 3y
72 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Berryfan
Mehso-so

Very good settler history. A well-told story of ambition and hardship in creating a land of towns and cities where First Nations people had lived.

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TheAromaofBooks
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Okay, I think I've decided on my January #BFC21 goals -

Two nonfiction books (will probably be the same throughout the year) - starting with the tagged book, which focuses a lot on Marietta, Ohio, only a few hours from where I live & my second will be a book about the Newark moundbuilders, so also some local - if much older - history.

The dogs & I both need more exercise, so daily dog walks (always fun in January lol) & also spending a few ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) minutes stretching each morning. It really doesn't take that long & it makes me feel better all day - I don't know why I don't just DO IT so maybe this will inspire me! 😂

Thanks for hosting @wanderinglynn - I'm excited to see what happens this month!!!
3y
wanderinglynn Awesome goals! 🎉 And Team BFC21 will be here to cheer you on. 3y
Lauram I keep meaning to read the McCullough. I‘m certain that another literary field trip with my good friend will be planned when/if things ever return to normal. 3y
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TiminCalifornia Agree on the morning stretches! Great goal! 3y
TheAromaofBooks @Lauram - Marietta was always a favorite destination when I was growing up - just far enough to feel like A TRIP but not so far as to be unreasonable for just the day, or an overnight. 3y
Crazeedi @TheAromaofBooks I started the pioneer book and then it returned before I finished, I'd like to read! 3y
TheAromaofBooks @Crazeedi - I got it for Tom for Christmas last year but neither of us has read it yet haha I figured it would be a good one to start my efforts to read more nonfiction this year!!! 3y
73 likes7 comments
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paulareadsallthetime
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Pickpick

A good audiobook to learn about the pioneers in the US. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Tkgbjenn1
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Mehso-so

Not David McCullough‘s best Book. The first six chapters really stick to the supposed theme. The early settlement of the Old Northwest Territory focusing on Marietta, Ohio. The first six chapters deal with the establishment of the Ohio Company, the forging of a town out of wilderness, problems with Indians, and even dabbles in the Aaron Burr Conspiracy. The final four chapters would really only be of interest by local Ohio Historians.

ValerieAndBooks I gave this a pick when I read it, but I agree it's not one of McCullough's best. I have ancestors who settled in Ohio slightly after the time frame he looks at here, so some of that was interesting to me. 4y
Tkgbjenn1 The So So was really due to the last four chapters which I felt was really local history. I‘d give it a pick as well for the first 6 chapters 4y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Texreader
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Yay, my first book shopping in months! Even if it was at Target.

TheAromaofBooks Oooo I got this one for my husband for Christmas but we still haven't read it. Marietta is only a couple hours away, and I love reading history books where I have been/can go to the places referenced!! 4y
55 likes1 comment
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JenniferP
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Mehso-so

This was a good look at the settlement of the Ohio region in the late 1700s. Interesting, but not revelatory.

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Bigcountry15
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Pickpick

As usual, David McCullough has succeeded in making history very interesting and engaging. This tells if the history of the settlement of the new Northwest Territory starting in the 1780s, and specifically Marietta, Ohio. From Manasseh Cutler's appeals to Congress to the ordeals with native tribes and sicknesses common on the frontier, the story is told in a very relatable way, introducing us to the Cutler, Putnam, and Hildreth families.

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Bigcountry15
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Never before, as he knew, had any of his countrymen set off to accomplish anything like what he had agreed to undertake--a mission that, should he succeed, could change the course of history in innumerable ways and to the long-lasting benefit of countless Americans.

Bonus #FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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IamIamIam
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Pickpick

Putting quarantine in perspective with the story of the brave men and women who settled the Ohio River valley. The hardships are incredible but the pioneer spirit prevails with the settlement of Marietta. A well moving book, I really enjoyed this, even if I was a bit confused with everyone's names. #quarantinereads #audiocrocheting #QuarantineWeek3

Lauram I can‘t wait to read another McCullough! My friend and I have another McCullough field trip lined up for this summer to visit sites mentioned in this book. 4y
IamIamIam @Lauram 😁 When we were reading Johnstown, I told the custodian at my kids' school about it and he's read 3 McCullough books since!!! ❤ I really enjoyed this one but I found The Great Bridge just too much. George the custodian said 1776 was a bit daunting and suggested this one to me. Thanks for giving me the bug!!! 4y
41 likes2 comments
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Mtroiano
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Beautiful morning for an #audiowalk

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Mtroiano
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Starting #24b4monday with an #audiowalk

jb72 Awesome! 4y
Andrew65 That‘s great. 👍 4y
28 likes2 comments
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Mtroiano
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Getting out for an #audiowalk 👟👟

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IamIamIam
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#Audiobaking today to thank my neighbor for dropping off Lysol!! I forgot the baking soda in last night's recipe so I might have to try making a pie crust with that batch. Back to the 1700s where scalping was an imminent threat, not germs! Wait... no, nevermind... 😷 it always comes down to germs, doesn't it?

ValerieAndBooks Ginger snaps? I‘ll have to stack that cookbook. The Pioneers was good— didn‘t realize how much the west-ward settlers went through. 4y
IamIamIam @ValerieAndBooks Molasses cookies! I really don't like them at all but everyone else seems to love them! Lol 4y
ValerieAndBooks @IamIamIam sounds good to me 🤤! 4y
42 likes4 comments
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IamIamIam
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I figured while I'm being asked to stay home and not kill my family a la Jack Torrance, I can listen to a book about people who had a much more difficult life! I also happen to be shearing a sheep... or shaving down my wheaten terrier...

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Lexeegee
Pickpick

I love David McCullough. He gets into so much detail and brings the characters to life.

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Lexeegee
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It‘s rainy and dreary. Still recovering from knee surgery. Might as well read.

Gissy I hope you feel well!❤️ 4y
Lexeegee @Gissy thank you. I‘m not healing fast enough to suit me, but I‘m getting there. 4y
29 likes2 comments
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NikkiRobson73
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Finally got my e book hold from the library I was number 164 !

ljuliel Holy smokes ! I hope you like it after such a long wait. 4y
75 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

I listened to this on a road trip and really liked its focus on Ohio. You don‘t hear a lot about that aspect of Western expansion. #NFNov

Crazeedi I've borrowed this book twice and returned before I read! I definitely have to get it and read!! 4y
Clwojick 6 pt 4y
IamIamIam Great review! I tried this and it was so bogged down with details, I had to return it before I could finish the audio. I will definitely check this out, though! 4y
See All 10 Comments
Wife I have this in my Scribd queue. How is the reader? 4y
Bookwormjillk @Crazeedi it took me a few tries to get into it, but I enjoyed it once I finally did. 4y
Bookwormjillk @IamIamIam there are a lot of details! 4y
Bookwormjillk @Wife he‘s decent. Doesn‘t add to or subtract from the text. 4y
ljuliel I‘ve got this on audio. I need to listen to it at some point. I believe it talks quite a bit about the Marietta area, which is where a large chunk of my family lives . They settled there probably not long after the original settlers did. They‘ve been there for several generations . 4y
Bookwormjillk @ljuliel yes, most of the book is about Marietta. I was happy to see Ohio get some recognition. 4y
ljuliel @Bookwormjillk Agreed ... sometimes Ohio gets a bad rap , so it‘s nice to have something good said about us. I‘d have to try to figure out, year-wise, how long ago our ancestors settled in Ohio. My grandma was born in 1890. Her parents were born here , her grandparents were born here. My great grandfather was a traveling music teacher and rode a horse between all the little one- room schoolhouses to teach music to the kids. 4y
39 likes10 comments
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the_next_chapter101
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Pickpick

Not an easy one to listen to but still quite interesting. It gets better towards the end. You will find a slightly amount of humor. 4/5⭐

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Kpulver
Mehso-so

This was listed as a developing the NW theme. Just assumed it was the Oregon Trail only to discover OH was the NW before OR was!!! We knew nothing about the settling of the OH River Valley! We learned lots listening to this on a road trip and we‘ve driven through Ohio countless times to get to “somewhere else” apparently discounting the evolution of settlement there. We were particularly interested in the educ. foundation in Ohio.

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Librarybelle
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Happy Father‘s Day to all the dads on Litsy!

I owe my love for history and my overall sense of curiosity and yearning for more knowledge from my dad. I had to buy a copy of this (and one for myself!) for him...McCullough is one of his favorite authors.

Crazeedi This is on my waiting to read list!! 5y
76 likes1 stack add1 comment
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gergana08
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Pickpick

The Pioneers, by David McCullough is a New York Times Best Seller, nonfiction, literature circle. This book focuses on the challenges they face such as sickness, death and savage Indians. The harsh physical conditions that they encountered to colonize the Northwest Territory and the values and ideals of the American people. This book is inspiring. website: www.davidmccullough.com Hashtag: #UCFSU19 UDL: 8.2 EL: look up words in language

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Amie
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Panpan

I learned about some people in Ohio's history that I didn't know about (in spite of living in Ohio my whole life), but this book doesn't really add anything to our understanding of history. For the most part, it's the same old same old white men and manifest destiny that was in all our history books growing up.

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Lexeegee
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I love David McCullough! So glad he has a new book out.

Califlamingo I just bought this book today! Can't wait to start it! 5y
21 likes1 stack add1 comment
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RobeyMemorial
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Coming soon to a library near you...literally! Call us to be placed on hold for these titles.

8 likes1 stack add
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ValerieAndBooks
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Pickpick

This engrossing book about westward expansion focuses on the settlement of one area of Ohio and the remarkable people behind it. McCullough also does a great job evoking the dangers (wild animals, etc) of going into unknown territory. Thanking my mom again for sending this!

(New plant given to me by daughter‘s girlfriend 🌱 💜)!

saresmoore I tend to really like people who give plants as gifts. 5y
ValerieAndBooks @saresmoore it definitely is a sweet gesture! Think I need to find a sunnier spot for this darling. 5y
71 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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bookandcat
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The result of 2 hours of tsundoku-yoku (see previous post) with my friend Amelia!
#bn #bookhaul #tsundokuyoku #bookbathing

40 likes1 stack add
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ValerieAndBooks
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Hmm. Looks like donating money for college buildings (to get one‘s kid in —or back in—) is a much older tradition than I thought.....

Reggie Also see: Legacy 5y
Suet624 Oh yeah. Definitely.. 5y
QuintusMarcus Awesome find, well done! 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Reggie @Suet624 @QuintusMarcus History does repeat itself 🙄 5y
57 likes4 comments
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Amiable
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Hot off the presses! Just got the new David McCullough book in the mail! 🥰🤩💃🏻

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled Im envious! This looks good!! 5y
Amiable @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I‘ll read anything David McCullough writes! If he decided to write a book about the history of the phone book, I‘d even read that. 😀 (edited) 5y
71 likes2 comments
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ValerieAndBooks
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Look what arrived today! This is from my mom, who knew how much my late dad and I like McCullough ❤️. I miss talking history with him so much.

Lynnsoprano I saw this just the other day in a list of recommended new books, in the Washington Post, I think. It looks wonderful. McCullough writes so well. 5y
LeahBergen Aww, what a lovely gift. 💕 5y
Suet624 Awww, that's sweet of her. 5y
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Tamra 💚 Love McCullough too! 5y
MicheleinPhilly ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
MaureenMc 💕💕 5y
DivineDiana Wonderful memories. ❤️ 5y
ValerieAndBooks @Lynnsoprano yes, he‘s very good! Just starting this tonight, finally. It‘s been so busy here! Youngest is graduating HS in 3 weeks! 5y
72 likes1 stack add9 comments
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Librarybelle
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How did I not know McCullough has a book coming out in May??? Obviously, I‘m getting this for the library! McCullough fans...did you know about this?

Kimberlone This is exciting! And on a topic of interest to me! 5y
Lauram I‘m down for another McCullough buddy read! (edited) 5y
Librarybelle @Kimberlone It should be fascinating! 5y
See All 18 Comments
Librarybelle @Lauram That sounds fabulous! The only other one I‘ve read by him is 1776, and I‘m not quite finished with it. I‘d love to read his book about the Johnstown Flood, since that is not too far from where I live, though really I‘m happy to read any of his books. 5y
Amiable My boss and I literally had a discussion this week about McCullough--he was sad because he assumed that McCullough was probably done with publishing books because of his age! I will have to tell him he's wrong. 5y
Kaye Sounds good ! 5y
Librarybelle @Amiable I was pleasantly surprised to see this book. Your boss will be so happy! 5y
Librarybelle @kaye I think so too! 5y
Lauram I would happily read The Johnstown Flood! I talked myself out of buying it last week. I‘m only 3 hours away and have thought about combining a visit there with Fallingwater and perhaps a whitewater rafting trip. 5y
Librarybelle @Lauram I think Johnstown is just a couple hours away from me. I‘ve yet to visit Fallingwater either. Sounds like a good trip idea! When would you like to start the buddy read? Should we aim for towards the end of January and see if anyone else would like to join? Maybe @kspenmoll would be interested. 5y
Amiable @Lauram @Librarybelle "The Johnstown Flood" is very good --definitely recommend. 5y
Tamra What??? I‘m up for this one! 5y
Librarybelle @Tamra It will be hard to wait until May for this one! 5y
kspenmoll @Librarybelle I would love to read it as buddyread. Comes out in May. Plan for then? 5y
Librarybelle Sounds good, @kspenmoll ! 5y
Lauram @Librarybelle the end of January sounds perfect! 5y
Librarybelle Great, @Lauram ! I‘ll find my copy and work out some dates for the buddy read! 5y
72 likes3 stack adds18 comments