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The Greater Journey
The #1 bestseller that tells the remarkable story of the generations of American artists, writers, and doctors who traveled to Paris, fell in love with the city and its people, and changed America through what they learned, told by America’s master historian, David McCullough.
Not all pioneers went west.
In The Greater Journey, David McCullough tells the enthralling, inspiring—and until now, untold—story of the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, and others who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900, hungry to learn and to excel in their work. What they achieved would profoundly alter American history.
Elizabeth Blackwell, the first female doctor in America, was one of this intrepid band. Another was Charles Sumner, whose encounters with black students at the Sorbonne inspired him to become the most powerful voice for abolition in the US Senate. Friends James Fenimore Cooper and Samuel F. B. Morse worked unrelentingly every day in Paris, Morse not only painting what would be his masterpiece, but also bringing home his momentous idea for the telegraph. Harriet Beecher Stowe traveled to Paris to escape the controversy generated by her book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Three of the greatest American artists ever—sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, painters Mary Cassatt and John Singer Sargent—flourished in Paris, inspired by French masters.
Almost forgotten today, the heroic American ambassador Elihu Washburne bravely remained at his post through the Franco-Prussian War, the long Siege of Paris, and the nightmare of the Commune. His vivid diary account of the starvation and suffering endured by the people of Paris is published here for the first time.
Telling their stories with power and intimacy, McCullough brings us into the lives of remarkable men and women who, in Saint-Gaudens’ phrase, longed “to soar into the blue.”
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Reviews
McCulloch has written much better books than this one. I found it to be mostly boring having read only a few iand far between interesting parts.
By Red2184
A brilliant journey following an ambitious, adventurous and talented generation of young Americans to Paris during the 19th century whose knowledge and skills would be a great influence for our future growth back in the States.
By Rich Olin
It is a rare talent that can tell a tale of unrelated artists and political figures during an obscure period of French history and turn it into a tale that you won't want to put down. Art work you have known will suddenly have an associated personality, and an otherwise un noted era will assume a real feel through the experiences of these characters. The book is time and money well spent
By Adam's Ghost
Informative & entertaining book with many memorable real-life characters and full of historical knowledge & insight. A fun read but also educational...EAF
By Emmet Aloysius
Many great Americans are collected here; many who spent time together starting their crafts and mostly young lives. Beginning in an earlier period than I was familiar with Americans in Paris (1830s) it covers Americans who I don't even associate with France. It covers professional, student, and family lives of people in the foreign service, artists, medical students and just those who sought enrichment in France through the period of the Eiffel tower. You also get a lot of information on who headed the government at different times, war with Germany and the Communards. Very well written.
By Fpiano