Who writes as compellingly as David McCullough?

[Lisa]

I recently discovered David McCullough through reading "John Adams." Now this is the kind of stuff I want to read: Enormously compelling narrative nonfiction.

What other authors would you recommend who write history in such a compelling way? Particularly history of the American Revolution and/or Boston and/or the history of the two major political parties in the USA. Thanks--I'm grateful for any suggestions.

[Arminius]

The only history author I rate higher than McCullough is Ron Chernow. Chernow does not miss a beat in any aspect of his subject. You will learn volumes from his books. Another I would put on equal level with McCullough is A.J. Languth. He knows how to bring his stories to life.

[Alan]

I like Fred Anderson, AJ Langguth and Richard Ketchum.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Crazy Cat Lady]

I am quite fond of Barbara Tuchman.

[Lisa]

I agree--Larson is stellar. His research is top-notch, and his narratives are gripping. I've only read "Devil in the White City," but Kelley, your comment inspires me to check out his other work, so thank you. Thanks everybody for the other names--I'm going to go put them on my to-read list, too!

[[deleted user]]

I'm a sucker for Jonathan Spence, but I guarantee you that he's not for everyone.

[Tim]

I second the Barbara Tuchman recommendation.
Edmund Wilson's To The Finland station is fabulous and readable and every bit as compelling to read as McCullough. You could say it relates to American Revolution. kind of.

[James]

I'll also second the recommendation for Barbara Tuchman - she was wonderful.
I'm also reading a superb book now by John M. Barry titled The Great Influenza - it's the first of his books I've read but won't be the last. This is a chronicle of the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 that is so gripping it's hard to put down to go to sleep; every bit as good as Barbara Tuchman's best work. So far I'd rate this as possibly the best book I've read yet this year.

[Jonathan]

I just wanted to second Thomas's mention of Jonathan Spence, who writes compellingly about the history of China. Admittedly, it's not a subject I know much about. But I read and enjoyed "The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci" (about a Jesuit missionary who went to China in the late 16th century). It offers a great deal of information about Chinese / European relations -- a particularly apt topic these days -- and is also organized very creatively, so that I almost forgot I was reading actual history instead of a novel.

[Shirley]

I too could hardly put John Adams down.