
To America
Personal Reflections of an Historian
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Narrated by:
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Henry Strozier
Reflecting on his career, Stephen E. Ambrose - one of the country's most influential historians - confronts America's failures and struggles as he explores both its moral and pragmatic triumphs. To America celebrates the men and women who invented the United States and made it exceptional.
Taking a few swings at today's political correctness, Ambrose grapples with the country's historic sins of racism, its neglect and ill treatment of Native Americans, and its tragic errors. He reflects on some of the early founders - great men such as Washington and Jefferson - who, while progressive thinkers, lived a contradiction as slaveholders. He contemplates the genius of Andrew Jackson's defeat of a vastly superior British force with a ragtag army in the War of 1812. He describes the grueling journey that Lewis and Clark made to open up the country, and the building of the railroad that produced great riches for a few barons.
Ambrose explains the misunderstood presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, records the country's assumption of world power under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, and extols the heroic victory of World War II. He explores women's rights and civil rights, immigration, and museum and nation-building.
Most importantly, Ambrose tells us about writing history, and about what an historian's job is all about. As he says, "The last five letters of the word 'history' tell us that it is an account of the past that is about people and what they did, which is what makes it the most fascinating of subjects." As he reflects upon American history, Ambrose shares his own personal history. To America is an instant classic for those interested in history, patriotism, and the love of writing.
©2011 Stephen E. Ambrose (P)2011 Simon & SchusterListeners also enjoyed...




















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Thank you for your balanced, truthful, insightful, heart warming, witty, and fascinating gift of patriotism!
I know your mentor said not to use adjectives in your historical writing, but this is a review. I will have to listen again....and again. Would you consider being a political advisor to our three branches of government? I would vote for you for our President!
Your interviews and research are so enriching! I will have to get your book for my father, who I believe is only slightly older than you. Thank you for your energy and American spirit!
Sincerely,
Maria (your new fan!)
PS. Mr. Strozier is a superb narrator for your writing. He embodies your words with great warmth and understanding!
A True Gift of Patriotic Spirit!!
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Worth the time!
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Like a casual conversation
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Wow!
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A book for opened eyes.
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I really enjoyed the topics he picked and the narrative style (reminded me of Shelby Foote's 3-volume history of the Civil War). He clearly loved his work and reminded me why I've always been fascinated with American history. The narrator had a voice that reminded me of the newsmen I grew up listening to and watching on TV. Very authoritative with clear, accurate pronunciations.
I hesitate to mention this since I don't know how accurate these allegations are, but I've read that Mr. Ambrose has been accused of plagiarism and factual errors. I didn't hear anything that I know to fit either of those accusations, but deducted a star for story and overall just in case that's true. It certainly would make me hesitate in passing along information from this book without verifying it with other sources. (Can you tell that I work for a newspaper?)
Overall, I consider this to be a well-written and well-narrated book. I'm sure I'll be listening to it again.
Very interesting take on hot spots in our history
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I wish I'd been a historian
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Wow!
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The style was not the atypical moroseness of the typical historian as he spoke with vivacity. He was emotionally charged with the subjects and very opinionated to a fault.
He discussed in length his years writing the memoirs of Eisenhower and Nixon. Expressed his distaste for Nixon in terms that I could not image how he could have written a fair biography of Nixon without the taint of his hatred for the man. Ambrose came across to me as a pompous bigot that could not remotely see both sides of history because of his lack of understanding of both sides. I never under-mind good work because of lack of empathy from the author. Perceptions from men like Ambrose truly express the vileness of the social structures from the past in their own unique definition of the world that they inhabited. As Ambrose said about Nixon, he couldn’t detest the man because of the good that was embodied in him but he couldn’t admire him for the bad choices that he made. Ambrose is the same to me. There is lots of good inwoven in detestable traits. But unlike Nixon, I think we’d have been much better off historically if Ambrose and his rouge ideology had faded into obscurity without anyone knowing his name. I personally would not recommend his book or books to anyone regardless of the fact that I gave it four stars. I would only say it was interesting and read at your own pleasure if seeking incoherent babble that is based on Ambrose’s twisted concept of reality.
The twisted brain of a incoherent historian
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This is a series of essays, starting with the clay feet of the founding founders, and proceeding chronologically through American history up to the turn of the century. Along the way, Ambrose throws in wonderful autobiographical anecdotes.
I am normally somewhat of an Ambrose skeptic. Why did we win World War II? Our boys were b enter, our country was better, etc. I love our country, but not to the point where historical writing hits you over the head with it. I’ve read many partisan histories of the Civil War — both North and South — and they are tiresome. I’m being pounded with an obvious point of view. Much with the same with some history written by Ambrose.
That said, this one is different. Do his views come out? Of course. But they are some very real gems in this collection, starting out with the first one, the essay on Grant and reconstruction, and his efforts to the D-day museum built.
Are you a history buff. If so, this one is for you. I finished this audio book in less than 24 hours. I could not stop listening. Enjoy.
Don’t let this one get past you!
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