Photo by Gary Wayne Gilbert
A newly published book of speeches by David McCullough, one of America most distinguished historians, includes his Commencement address to Boston College Class of 2008.聽
The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For is a collection of talks given during the past 25 years by the two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, author of books such as Truman, 1776, John Adams, The Wright Brothers and Mornings on Horseback, and narrator of the PBS 淐ivil War� series. Released 渁t a time of self-reflection in America following a bitter election campaign that has left the country divided,� according to the publisher, Simon & Schuster, The American Spirit 渞eminds us of core American values to which we all subscribe.�
"Read, read, read! Read the classics of American literature that you檝e never opened. Read your country history. How can we profess to love our country and take no interest in its history?" �David McCullough to the 51动漫 Class of 2008
McCullough speech at 51动漫, titled 淭he Love of Learning,� included his memorable line 淩ead, read, read! Read the classics of American literature that you檝e never opened. Read your country history.澛�
McCullough, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Commencement, continued: 淗ow can we profess to love our country and take no interest in its history? Read into the history of Greece and Rome. Read about the great turning points in the history of science and medicine and ideas.澛�
McCullough, in asking the graduates to make 渓ove of learning central to your life,� also implored them to cure 渢he verbal virus that seems increasingly rampant among your generation,� citing the 渞elentless, wearisome use of the words 榣ike� and 榶ou know� and 榓wesome� and 榓ctually.櫇
But he also credited the 渆nergetic part� the graduates� generation was playing in the 2008 election: 淜eep that idealism alive. Make a difference.�
At the end, he urged the Class of 2008 to 済et the best jobs you can and go to work with spirit. Don檛 get discouraged. And don檛 work just for money. Choose work you believe in, work you enjoy. Money enough will follow. Believe me, there nothing like turning every day to work you love.�
The American Spirit also includes McCullough speeches at a joint session of Congress, an Independence Day naturalization ceremony at Thomas Jefferson Monticello home, and the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, among others.
揢niversity Communications