For most of us, travel is a big adventure. These days, it is accessible, and we think nothing of taking a trip to the other side of the world. It wasn’t always that way. The tyranny of distance was a real impediment, and those who did travel found big differences from things back home.
The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris is a historical narrative by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough. It explores the big adventure of 19th-century American notables who went to Paris seeking inspiration in art, medicine, and literature. Originally published in hardback in May 2011.
Small commissions on any sales made here will help maintain Francy That!
Historical narratives of the big adventure
McCullough’s The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris meticulously details the lives of certain Americans living in Paris in the 19th century. McCullough looks at the big adventure of several American notables, some of whose names you might recognise.
Among them:
Samuel Morse, a struggling painter who was inspired by the technological advancements in Paris. His interest led to the invention of the telegraph and Morse Code, which revolutionised global communication.
Mary Cassatt, an aspiring artist who defied societal expectations of her by moving to Paris. Immersed in the city’s creative arts scene, she evolved into a prominent Impressionist painter, breaking barriers for women in the art world.
James Fenimore Cooper, was already famous as the author of The Last of the Mohicans. Once in Paris, he became a celebrated figure and mingled freely with the European elite. His experiences there deeply influenced his subsequent works, enriching American literature.
Charles Sumner was a young lawyer and staunch abolitionist whose time spent in Paris, where he studied at the Sorbonne and the egalitarian society of Paris, fueled his fight against slavery in the USA.
Paris was a big adventure—and still is.
McCullough’s research for this book was extensive. His use of letters and diaries gives the featured characters an authentic voice. McCullough sets these individuals against the cultural, political, and social scene in Paris. He finds that while this was a city still finding its feet after the Revolution, it nonetheless profoundly influenced these 19th-century American notables.
McCullough’s narrative skillfully brings historical facts and figures to life, offering readers a unique perspective on the cultural exchange and influence between America and Paris. The author’s talent for storytelling shines through in this book, as it does in all his other efforts.
McCullough’s narrative is a homage to Paris and a recognition of the enterprising spirit of American expatriates. His storytelling captures the challenges and triumphs of adapting to foreign ways while also explaining the effects of this travel on America’s development.
“The Greater Journey” is an excellent read for anyone interested in the enduring allure of Paris and its impact on American culture.
About the author
David McCullough was a renowned American author, narrator, historian, and lecturer. He twice won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.
In 2006, he received (left) the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian award.
He was born in Pittsburgh in 1933 and earned honours in English literature at Yale University in 1955.
McCullough started his career at Sports Illustrated and worked as an editor and writer for the United States Information Agency before moving on to American Heritage, a history magazine.
The Johnstown Flood, published in 1968, was his first book.
McCullough wrote several other acclaimed books, including The Path Between the Seas, Mornings on Horseback, Brave Companions, John Adams, 1776, and The Wright Brothers.
His works were noted for his detailed research, narrative style, and ability to bring historical figures and events to life.
McCullough lent his distinctive narrative skills to numerous documentaries, including Ken Burns’ The Civil War.
He hosted PBS Television’s American Experience for twelve years and was involved in various other television and film projects.
David McCullough’s life was a big adventure in itself, probing the history of his country. He died in 2022 at the age of 89.
Small commissions on any sales made here will help maintain Francy That!
See more Francy That! articles to make sure you stay In The Know.
