I work very hard on the writing, writing and rewriting and trying to weed out the lumber.

Quote by David McCullough

Topics: David McCullough Quotes

Real success is finding your lifework in the worth that you love.

Real success is finding your lifework in the worth that you love.

First of all, you can make the argument that there's no such thing as the...

First of all, you can make the argument that there's no such thing as the...

When I began, I thought that the way one should work was to do all...

When I began, I thought that the way one should work was to do all...

I just thank my father and mother, my lucky stars, that I had the advantage...

I just thank my father and mother, my lucky stars, that I had the advantage...

The pull, the attraction of history, is in our human nature. What makes us tick?...

The pull, the attraction of history, is in our human nature. What makes us tick?...

To me history ought to be a source of pleasure. It isn't just part of...

To me history ought to be a source of pleasure. It isn't just part of...

There's an awful temptation to just keep on researching. There comes a point where you...

There's an awful temptation to just keep on researching. There comes a point where you...

My shorthand answer is that I try to write the kind of book that I...

My shorthand answer is that I try to write the kind of book that I...

May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.

May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.

People are so helpful. People will stop what they're doing to show you something, to...

People are so helpful. People will stop what they're doing to show you something, to...

I had been writing for about twelve years. I knew pretty well how you could...

I had been writing for about twelve years. I knew pretty well how you could...

I'm very aware how many distractions the reader has in life today, how many good...

I'm very aware how many distractions the reader has in life today, how many good...

You can't be a full participant in our democracy if you don't know our history.

You can't be a full participant in our democracy if you don't know our history.

In time I began to understand that it's when you start writing that you really...

In time I began to understand that it's when you start writing that you really...

I would pay to do what I do if I had to.

I would pay to do what I do if I had to.

I can fairly be called an amateur because I do what I do, in the...

I can fairly be called an amateur because I do what I do, in the...

With the Truman book, I wrote the entire account of his experiences in World War...

With the Truman book, I wrote the entire account of his experiences in World War...

My next book is also set in the eighteenth century. It's about the Revolution, with...

My next book is also set in the eighteenth century. It's about the Revolution, with...

I love Dickens. I love the way he sets a scene.

I love Dickens. I love the way he sets a scene.

The title always comes last. What I really work hard on is the beginning. Where...

The title always comes last. What I really work hard on is the beginning. Where...