Generally interesting vignettes and memoirs, from a highly-accomplished person and author. However, his “progressive” bias came out often enough to taint the book from my perspective, as a traditional conservative. This what kept it from 5 stars for me.

Not a bad summary of American history highlights from this premier historian's career. Missing is an objective role of religion in the forming of American values and optimism. This is Ambrose's great blind spot when he attributes so much to American's democratic superiority.

An excellent historian of America mainly known for his military history work and biographies. This is something of a farewell as he passes on his observations of 50 years as a historian. Not blind to its many flaws, which he names and explains, he still retains a great love of America. He is not afraid to discuss how his views have changed and how he has learned over the decades. Although history is part it is mainly a short personal memoir and very interesting. There should be something in this to encourage and infuriate every reader.

Stephen Ambrose, a prolific author of many notable books, writes his thoughts and reflections of many decades of being a historian. Ambrose introduced me to "Undaunted Courage," his wonderful book on Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery. This book remains one of my favorite books of all-time due to it sparing no detail in illuminating the cross-country exploration of the continent and all of its joys, perils, and mysteries. In this book I'm reviewing now, I found it not quite the page-turning, riveting, stay-up-late-reading-it-for-hours kind of book, but to be fair, it is indeed a different kind of book altogether. Ambrose carefully recalls prominent American historical figures and events from its inception as well as many books he's written about. His memoirs, as this book essentially is a collection of, guides us on a chronological journey through his observant and great literary mind.

I was relieved to read that Ambrose defended our first and greatest president ever, George Washington, from unfair criticism, but was disappointed of his analysis of our third and one of our greatest presidents ever, Thomas Jefferson. While both men were, regrettably, slaveholders, they contributed so many wonderful things to America that without them the infant Republic would not have survived the cradle. A remarkable man, as the author correctly notes, but that he "did not achieve greatness in his personal life" is not entirely accurate. To assert that he sired a child with a slave (Sally Hemings) is scientifically inconclusive and a rush to judgment; rather, while DNA testing confirms a link to the Jefferson family tree, however, not necessarily Thomas Jefferson per se (there are other familial individuals that could have realistically been the father). The short answer is, we just don't know if he was or not, and to boldly assert that he lied about it is sheer folly. Admittedly, while his personal life was far from perfect nor was it without flaws, shortcomings, and pecadillos, it is unfair to damn the man as devoid of greatness.

Ambrose, not unlike many other authors and historians, succumb to viewing history of yore through the lens of contemporary society and the wisdom attained through modernity. We know that Washington and Jefferson were both slaveholders, and it is unfortunate and regrettable, but they were men of their times, specifically the Enlightened Age of the 18th Century. This doesn't excuse their beliefs or actions, as slavery was a repugnant and shameful part of our history, but it is far too easy to judge them and their ilk from the perch of the 21st Century. Notably, Washington freed his slaves upon his death and Jefferson wrestled with how he could do so. The latter even included the condemnation of slavery in his original draft of the Declaration of Independence, blaming it on the British king, George III, for enslaving and bringing the Africans to the American continent, but it was removed by the Congress after revision as to not further enrage the Mother Country when independence was the sole focus. Neither men were perfect nor were they angels, but they were great men who were products of their respective time and contributed far more positive achievements to their country than negatives.

The rest of the book remains interesting as Ambrose glides through the 19th Century and onward to the 21st Century. I was pleased to read that he regarded Andrew Jackson as a great man despite his own shortcomings; his military success as a general was unparalleled and quite remarkable. Teddy Roosevelt and his charismatic bravado and focus on conservation is also mentioned and rightfully so. Having written about a book about D-Day, June 6, 1944, incidentally, 77 years to this exact date, Ambrose knows his stuff and shares his knowledge with the reader; the Greatest Generation, indeed.

Beyond the historical analyses, Ambrose weaves his personal stories and successes into the book that make it enjoyable. I especially liked how he outlined his plan and accomplishment in creating the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans. The sense of achievement, gratitude for all involved in its endeavor, respect for its living and past heroes, and joy in seeing visitors, especially children, learn in awe of what happened on this crucial day emanates profusely through the pages.

All in all, I recommend this book and believe it is worth a reading.

I downloaded this on Audible before I left, and listened to it through Iowa and Missouri, running down through Hannibal to St Louis. Finished it when I got back home.

I really enjoyed Ambrose's insights into and knowledge of some of the great people and events of American history. And I learnt a lot.

This is kind of the "history behind the history". This is Ambrose telling us why he became interested in certain subjects, often on the most trivial of happenstances. It's also a bit of a roadtrip through Ambrose's life, travelling through America in time and space.

I've always loved Ambrose's books, ever since I became aware of "Band of Brothers". I've devoured them all since then. His son is following in his footsteps with "The Pacific", but isn't quite the writer his father was.

Thoroughly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the subject of history, not to mention history itself.

I have to say. Ambrose's view on the history of the United States, as well as his reflections on being a historian has made me more balanced than I usually am regarding United States history. In his book, he talks about confronting his own biases regarding many U.S. history topics, events, and eras. From our issues with race, to women's rights, the wars the U.S. fought in, as well as many others that Ambrose reflects on really shows his growth as a historian. But at the same time, things have changed since this book was published in 2001-2002. The United States just dealt with COVID-19, killing 1 million Americans, race relations are very intense right now, the highest it has ever been since the 1960s. We have political polarization, even though polarization and division are as American as apple pie, nothing new about that. In addition with that, we are now dealing with the war in Ukraine where 20,000-22,000 U.S. troops are in Poland ready at a moments notice in case Russia tries to provoke a broader war. I'm not certain where our nation is heading, I don't know what the future holds, but Ambrose reminds us of our American Spirit, determination, and perseverance to face whatever the odds we are in, and to change our nation so that future generations of americans can flourish where the pursuit of happiness and equality is given to all. Eisenhower, Grant, Truman, King, our Founding Fathers etc. Lead, created, and fought for this nation so that it can be changed for the better. Pick this up, it will lift your spirits along with learning history and Ambrose's personal stories.

This is a modern history review of America through the eyes of Stephen Ambrose. He tells of his own revaluations of decisions made by American government leaders. For example, while he doesn't blame President Truman for dropping the atomic bomb to end WWII, he does blame Truman for taking the wrong step that led to our involvement in Vietnam. His writing may also give you insight on the fostering of hatred and racism. This book doesn't come close to his Lewis & Clark account, but worth a look.

The fact that it's part commentary on American history, part description of his own journey, confuses me a bit. Both being in the same book does not work for me, to be honest. Taken separately, I can see how each could be like a short book, but combined, they just make an okay medium-sized book. Content is still okay, even though the bit about patriotism is iffy, so it's still three stars for me. What it did do right is encourage me to seek out pop Filipino history.

Well written history lesson

Good American history lesson by a true historian. There are not very many historians who traveled as much as Ambrose or built such a building like the one in New Orleans. He has visited the strange writes about. Like a painter who wAnts to recreate a scene goes to the location.

Like the title implies, this book is the author's opinion on controversial topics in American history. Stephen E. Ambrose provides insight into such topics as the Battle of New Orleans, the construction of the 1st transcontinental railroad, racism, the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant (and other Presidents), the Vietnam War, WWI, & WWII. He provides arguments for his opinions & changes from previously held views on these topics. Issues discussed include war & capitalism. I would recommend this book to those who want another opinion on American history.
On the chapter for Native Americans, he talks about how his experiences with them impacted his view on them. I loved the anecdote of Eve, the white expert on the Apache, and Ice; in it, Ice proposes a raid on "the white man's heaven" to get books. I think such anecdotes not only provide amusement, but also provides insight into a completely different way of life.

The most interesting part of this book is Ambrose’s journey to becoming a history professor and author. I felt it delved a bit too much into his family life and their help with his research and I wanted the chapter on racism in America to be more comprehensive. Perhaps if I read one of his history books I’ll like that better. This one was kind of meh.

So grateful for the great historians, of which Ambrose is one at the top of the list. It is wonderful to benefit from his research and historical writings. This listen was perfect to remind me, despite human frailty, what a great country America is and has always been. Our desire to preserve and share democracy, our genuine decency, for the most part, and our positive influence needs to be understood. If I was a history or civics teacher I would include this as a course text. I’m definitely taking grandchildren to the WWII museum in New Orleans.