Posts Tagged ‘David McCullough’

Monique Y. Wells on 60 Minutes

Monday, November 12th, 2012
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Monique Y. Wells and David McCullough at U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Paris

Monique Y. Wells and David McCullough at U.S. Ambassador’s Residence in Paris
Screenshot from 60 Minutes Video Segment

Just when we were despairing that Discover Paris! co-founder Monique Wells might never get the recognition that she is due, we woke up this morning to a mailbox full of messages from friends in the U.S. declaring that they saw her on 60 Minutes last night. What a surprise! We rushed to our computer and watched the 60 Minute video segment and indeed, there she is at the U.S. Ambassador’s reception that was held on May 25, 2012 for two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough. Monique had approached Mr. McCullough and asked him to autograph her copy of his book, The Greater Journey — Americans in Paris.

Monique Y. Wells and Tom Reeves at U.S. Ambassador's Reception for David McCullough

Monique Y. Wells and Tom Reeves at U.S. Ambassador’s Reception for David McCullough
Screenshot from 60 Minutes Video Segment

To top things off, when we closely examined the video segment, we spotted ourselves standing together while we listened to Mr. McCullough’s talk. In this photo he lets out a cheer because he had just kissed British-American film and stage star Olivia de Havilland, who was attending the ceremony. Oh, lucky man!

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Author and Historian David McCullough Feted at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence

Saturday, May 26th, 2012
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Monique Y. Wells and David McCullough at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Paris

David McCullough Autographs His Book The Greater Journey for Monique Y. Wells, Co-founder of Discover Paris!
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

David McCullough, award-winning author and historian, was guest of honor at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Paris last night. His most recent book, The Greater Journey, is about Americans who lived in Paris from the 1830s to the 1900s.

In his speech, McCullough talked about the importance of the Franco-American relationship, asserting that the United States would not have gained its independence without the financial, military, and intellectual support of France. In reference to France’s intellectual influence, he stated the the founding fathers who came to Paris felt at home here because the ideals of freedom were being discussed in intellectual circles at that time.

A speaker on hundreds of college campuses, McCullough spoke of his dismay that students today are historically illiterate. He talked about the importance of studying history and stated that history is more than just political and military narrative. History covers all human activity, including art, architecture, music, and poetry.

History, he said, shows that individuals cannot achieve great things alone, that they must work with others in a community. An historian, he said, is forcibly a short-term pessimist and a long-term optimist.

McCullough came to Paris for the first time in 1961. He loves the city and the research that he performs here. He was particularly proud to announce that his granddaughter, who attended the event, is currently studying French in Paris.

A film crew from the Public Broadcasting System filmed McCullough’s presentation. Journalist Morley Safer and stage and screen star Olivia de Havilland (who played the roll of Melanie Hamilton in the movie Gone with the Wind) were among the guests.

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