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 best-selling 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 war”; 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.

Listening Length

11 hours and 19 minutes
Author

David McCullough
Narrator

David McCullough
Audible release date

September 29, 2015
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster Audio
ASIN

B014I47I2Q
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 19 minutes
Author	David McCullough
Narrator	David McCullough
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	September 29, 2015
Publisher	Simon & Schuster Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B014I47I2Q
Best Sellers Rank	#16,357 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #116 in Historical Biographies (Audible Books & Originals) #474 in United States History (Audible Books & Originals) #700 in United States Biographies

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LastRanger

Biographical Sketches:

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2018

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Strange as it may seem this is the first book I've read by historian David McCullough, and I thought his short works would be a good introduction to his writing style. "Brave Companions" is a collection of essays written over the years for magazine articles or as lectures, so there is no overlaying connection or theme other than that they're all of historical subjects. Each essay was fascinating on its own covering a wide range of subjects from game changing engineering projects, historical research, important places and times. And, of course, people, all kinds of people--some out of the past while others were more contemporary to our times. The author did a lot of traveling and interviewing for these essays and his efforts and writing skills are apparent in each piece. Like all compilations of short works some essays are more interesting than others; depending on the readers personal tastes. Since I like reading about history, whatever the subject, I enjoyed all of the pieces and got exactly what I wanted from this book. I found McCullough's writing to be well researched, interesting and informative, it held my interest from cover to cover. I was already acquainted with some of his subjects like Theodore Roosevelt and Alexander Von Humboldt while others, like Harriet Beecher Stowe (author: "Uncle Tom's Cabin"), were less familiar. In each case the subject was fascinating, and sometimes disturbing, but I often came away with a new appreciation for the places, events and people that make up our human history. In "Brave Companions" you will learn about building a famous bridge from scratch, the early days of flying, the dangers of Caisson's Disease and a little known, Pulitzer Prize winning author of numerous novels. All in all this is a brilliant look at the many facets of World History and the people and places that make the study of the past memorable. There's more, a lot more, in this wonderful collection of historical sketches, but read it for yourself, see if you agree. I had no technical or downloading problems with this Kindle edition.

Last Ranger

105 people found this helpful

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You need attitude

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2019

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Brave Companions features 17 great people in history. He covers the following people: (1) Alexander von Humboldt, (2) Louis Agassiz, (3) Harriet Beecher Stowe, (4) Antoine de Vallombrosa, Marqis de Mores, (5) Fred Remington, (6) Bedford Clapperton Pim, (7) Washington Roebling, (8) Francis P. Valentine, (9) Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., (10) Conrad Richter, (11) Harry Monroe Caudill, (12) Miriam Rothschild, (13) David Plowden, (14) the city, Washington DC, (15) America 1936-1969, (16) Anna Sadilek, and (17) Simon Willard.

These are all brave companions, ‘the best of companions.’

Not all were as successful as they aimed to be: ‘Humboldt never reached the summit of Chimborazo. Agassiz’s star faded. Washington Roebling endured the painful effects of his work on the Brooklyn Bridge for the rest of his days. Harry Caudill did not live to see an end to strip mining or poverty in Kentucky. Yet … these are all success stories.’

As the author says, history is chiefly about life. And so he tells of the lives of the ‘unfathomable forces’ in history that make great individuals. Are the forces events, single personalities, a person’s character, or the collective activities of a group?

I liked the chapter on British naturalist Miriam Rothschild (1908-2005), whose specialty was fleas, especially bird fleas. But she also contributed knowledge on anatomy, chemistry, entomology, pharmacology, neurophysiology, zoology, marine biology, and botany. She was the first person to install seat belts in a motor car, and tried, unsuccessfully, to have the idea patented. Miriam was also, secretly, involved in the Enigma Project at Bletchley Park trying to decipher German code during the war. For all of that, living to 96 years of age, she describes herself as a farmer.

McCullough includes a range of historical people and their impact on the world in diverse fields. What do they have in common? Their common traits include engagement, commitment, enthusiasm, focus, concentrated effort, energy, stamina, and the belief that everything in life is interesting. The key is attitude, McCullough says. This fascinating book proves it.

25 people found this helpful

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Anne Phillips

Figures in a landscape

Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2016

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"Portraits in History" is the subtitle of this collection of essays, biographical studies, and speeches "produced over a period of nearly twenty years." They are "about subjects as dissimilar as Alexander von Humboldt and Conrad Richter" and "written for such different occasions as college commencement ... and the ceremonies celebrating the bicentennial of the United States Congress." The seventeen chapters are loosely grouped into five sections. Each section, each chapter, each entry varies in length and approach, some are in-depth studies, some are dialogues, interviews or sketches, some of very personal recollections or even general bemoaning of lack of general knowledge - not being familiar with Antietam/Sharpsburg but having walked the Vietnam Memorial. The few times McCullough slips, it is jarring - maybe he does it on purpose? For example, when describing Washington, the long walks in the morning, he talks about the climate - "I like the climate, the slow shift of the seasons here. ...Summers are murder ..." I kept notes of all the books I have to rediscover or locate - enough to keep me very busy for a while. The subjects of McCullough's portraits come to life as "The Unexpected Mrs. Stowe," author of Uncle Tom's Cabin did - and I am now wondering about the relationship with her husband's first wife. And then the history of founder of Radcliffe or the plans of the Brooklyn Bridge ... It is a wonderful collection.

49 people found this helpful

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