Half rambling memoir and half apologetics for various figures in American history. Apologetics aren't intrinsically bad, of course, but Ambrose here is less argument and more rah-rah.

A trip back in time to the early/mid 90's when I was reading all of Ambrose's works. This book briefly touches on all of the subject material Ambrose so skillfully wrote about during his career. It also provides some insight into his personal life and really shows how he became on of the greatest historians of our time. People unfamiliar with Ambrose should avoid this book and go out a read his other masterpieces first.

I loved it and want to read more by this author. My patriotism is stronger than ever now.

Amazing memoir and survey through the author’s life as one of the foremost historians of our era. While familiar readers may know the voluminous yet succinct coverage that the author has achieved on subjects such as Eisenhower, Nixon, Vietnam, and World War II; the reader of this particular book will discover the behind-the-scenes machinations of how those books came about from his various interactions with his subjects to the travels and encounters that led to his pursuing the topics that he did.

Six-word Review: Wonderful summary, Ambrose's beliefs and life.

Stephen Ambrose is one of my heroes. He died soon after finishing this book which is his final message to his readers. He's my hero, not just because he studied history at my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, where I also majored in history, not just because we are of the same generation, not just because he wrote some of the best books I've ever read, not just because he's such a great storyteller, not just because he founded one of the best museums I've ever been to, the WW II museum in New Orleans, not just because both of us were fascinated with WW II, not just because he and I both did not like Richard Nixon, but mostly because, after reading this book, I understand what a good historian he was and how hard he worked to become a good historian and writer.

The book itself presents his opinion of people like Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Jackson, Crazy Horse, Custer, U.S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Nixon, and many others. What is so refreshing is his ability to admire someone and still see their flaws or to dislike someone and still see their strengths.

In the later chapters, he shares quite a bit of personal information as he discusses Racism, Women's Rights, Immigration and Nation Building. I didn't always agree with his take on things but I never doubted that he held his beliefs after a lot of research and contemplation.

I have sometimes regretted that I dropped out of graduate school and chose a different career path or in my case paths. After reading how hard Ambrose worked and how he had a "nose to the grindstone" dedication to the craft of writing and the skill of in-depth research, I realized how unlikely it was that I would have been that dedicated.

In the end, it's good to know that Jefferson wasn't perfect, that Jackson wasn't evil, that Nixon did some good things and that someone like Ambrose could alter his attitudes when he found information that contradicted conventional wisdom or even contradicted what most historians believed.

Perhaps that was his greatest talent: humility which manifested itself as an ability to be honest with himself.

My dad recommended this book to me— he’s a history/military buff. I, on the other hand, should have paid more attention in history classes. I learned a lot from this book, though I probably didn’t absorb it all. At times, this book felt like a school assignment more than reading for your pleasure, but I’m glad that I read this book. I should know this stuff. And while the author definitely has his opinions and political beliefs, as we all do, the information in this book came from a lot of research.

A Historical Travelogue

I was attracted to Ambrose by Band of Brothers. Since then I’ve read 7 of his books and loved them all. This book is a chronicle of how he evolved as a writer and how his views changed from what he was taught in college to a more informed and insightful perspective. He seems to have been able to find the best in everyone of his subjects. While this isn’t one of his best efforts it’s still an enjoyable journey through time.

I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT. I FOUND IT VERY INSIGHTFUL AND THOUGHTFUL AS WELL AS GENUINE IN THAT HE GOES TO GREAT LENGTH TO CRITICIZE SOME OF HIS EARLIER THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS; TIME HAS GIVEN HIM THE PERSPECTIVE AND HE HAS ALLOWED HISTORY TO GIVE HIM CONTEXT INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE CURRENT GENERATION; THIS IS A MUST ESPECIALLY IN THE CHAOS WE FIND OURSELVES IN WHERE MARGINAL GROUPS WITH THE LOUDEST VOICES HAVE KIDNAPPED THE DIALOGUE AND WANT TO PAINT OUR HISTORY NEGATIVELY WITH A BROAD STROKE TEARING DOWN OLD SYMBOLS AND STATUES WITHOUT REALLY CONSIDERING WHAT THEY STAND FOR AND HOW WE GOT OUR FREEDOM IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO VOICE THEIR OPINION.

Once again, taking on my kid's summer reading assignment. This book was a much better choice than last year's history reading assignment. Actually, it's the first time I've read Stephen Ambrose, though I had certainly heard of him. He wrote the book shortly before he passed on and I'm sure he must have known he was dying as he wrote it. It reads like a love letter to America, with a real "Letters to a Young Poet" vibe. He describes his life as a historian - his regrets and his proudest moments - along with him conclusions regarding the US and history. The good and the bad thing about being a country founded on a principle is that you will never measure up. You can always do better. The American story is of a people trying to do better - from slave-holding constitutional writers, through the civil war, westward expansion, Imperialism, World Wars and civil rights both minority and women. When we realize our mistakes, we correct them. He encourages young historians not to label "good" and "bad" people, but people with different values and different agendas. (I want to go back and find his Crazy Horse and Custer biographies now. He claims they were so much alike, they would have been the best of friends if not on opposite sides - hard to believe.)He ends with US role in world - spreading democracy by example. A worthwhile read.

Well written. A bit repetitive toward the end

Stephen E. Ambrose's reflections on his life and what he's learned as an historian are eye-opening and transforming. When I first picked up the book I assumed it would contain more lessons of what he's learned to pass on down to future historians. Some of that is included here but the main thrust of the book is examinations of the main topics he's written extensively about, his 'final thoughts' and experiences of working on each of his selected works. So, in essence, this book is part biography, part examinations into the topics he's spent his life detailing. As a student of history myself, his deeper look into specific topics and his analysis of topics such as U.S. Grant, Nixon, Vietnam, WWII, etc., add something to the larger understanding of each topic. Starting each topic with how he was taught each topic to where he ends up is fascinating for a student of history - where one can end up from where one began is eye opening and adds a further dimension to the overall understanding of the topic. Each chapter leaves a taste - a thirst for more - for the reader. Overall, I enjoyed his perspective and where he's come on his understanding of the events he describes. I tend to agree with his leanings which is why I bumped up my rating to a 4 from a 3.5.

This is an entertaining and informative book from one of America’s most notable historians. The theme is his life of telling the American story using the stories of many ordinary people who experienced extraordinary events. Certainly, he writes about massive figures such as Roosevelt, Eisenhower and Nixon, about whom he published lengthy books. But he purposely wrote books about lower ranking American fighting men to see war from their perspective. Either way Ambrose’s style is to focus on the man, to get to know him and present him as completely and evenly as possible. In this book he provides a sample of America using broad strokes and cover broad themes which remain in the public discourse: westward expansion, race, gender, American values. He admits to having been a dove but through extensive research and interaction with veterans has become much more appreciative of their service and thusly more patriotic. His patriotism is imbued with a positivity about America’s future potential. He admits to having been liberal minded but that his exposure to America’s leaders from WWII caused him to reshape his views on why we fought and the good America did for other nations. What I enjoyed most were his chapters on how he became a historian, how his professors mentored him, and what it takes to succeed as a historian. There is much good material for any aspiring writer. In this regards it is uplifting to see how his family grew together as they participated in the research process, including long trips in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, Custer and Crazy Horse, and the 506th Infantry.