The title always comes last. What I really work hard on is the beginning. Where do you begin? In what tone do you begin? I almost have to have a scene in my mind.

Quote by David McCullough

Topics: David McCullough Quotes

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...

When I read that the British army had landed thirty-two thousand troops - and I...

When I read that the British army had landed thirty-two thousand troops - and I...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Every book is a new journey. I never felt I was an expert on a...

Every book is a new journey. I never felt I was an expert on a...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

People ask me when I start one of these projects, what is your theme? I...

People ask me when I start one of these projects, what is your theme? I...

No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read.

No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read.

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

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

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

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