The American Experiment

Dialogues on a Dream

By: David M. Rubenstein

Narrated by: David M. Rubenstein, Ken Burns, Madeleine Albright, Jon Meacham, Billie Jean King, Wynton Marsalis, Rita Moreno

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller

The capstone book in a trilogy from the New York Times best-selling author of How to Lead and The American Story and host of Bloomberg TV’s The David Rubenstein Show — American icons and historians on the ever-evolving American experiment, featuring Ken Burns, Madeleine Albright, Wynton Marsalis, Billie Jean King, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and many more.

In this lively collection of conversations — the third in a series from David Rubenstein — some of our nations’ greatest minds explore the inspiring story of America as a grand experiment in democracy, culture, innovation, and ideas.

• Jill Lepore on the promise of America
• Madeleine Albright on the American immigrant
• Ken Burns on war
• Henry Louis Gates Jr. on reconstruction
• Elaine Weiss on suffrage
• John Meacham on civil rights
• Walter Isaacson on innovation
• David McCullough on the Wright Brothers
• John Barry on pandemics and public health
• Wynton Marsalis on music
• Billie Jean King on sports
• Rita Moreno on film
  

Exploring the diverse make-up of our country’s DNA through interviews with Pulitzer Prize-winning historians, diplomats, music legends, and sports giants, The American Experiment captures the dynamic arc of a young country reinventing itself in real-time. Through these enlightening conversations, the American spirit comes alive, revealing the setbacks, suffering, invention, ingenuity, and social movements that continue to shape our vision of what America is — and what it can be.

©2021 David M. Rubenstein. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Somewhat enjoyable

I enjoyed the interview format of the book. It does seem that these interviews were tailored towards a more democratic, liberal philosophy listener. Very few, actually none, spoke about what it means to them to be an American

great listen

great listen to so many wonderful perspectives. great american stories. so much that we can accomplish

Great History Lesson

History was one of my least favorite subjects in high school because even at the age of 15-16, I knew I wasn't reading the whole truth. The layers of diversity, difference and inclusion enlightened my understanding and spoke truth to power.

very educational and enjoyable

such interesting interviews. learned something unexpected from each one. made my daily walk fly by.

A post graduate experience

As a physician , I acknowledge my ignorance in most of the interviews just experienced . We go through undergraduate education concentrating on basic sciences & medical & postgraduate education without knowing about so much of the world. David Rubinstein through his 3 books has given me an education into this world which I’m eternally grateful

uneven but worthwhile.

uneven but worthwhile. The American Story much stronger. but as a series of interviews, needs to be listened, not read on the page.

Well Done.

Although I do not like Rubenstein's style of interviewing his subjects, the topics, and the interviewees made the entire listen more than worthwhile. Wynton Marsalis was mesmerizing

cultural entertainment

easy to read, dynamic, cultural,. The book is a series of interesting interviews narrated by the author

Authors Anti Trump Bias Too Much

Is was hard to listen any longer once the author got to his views on Trump both Covid and the 2020 election.
Had to turn it off.

Ideological and Tone Deaf

This book-shaped podcast came highly recommended from a trusted source. The book at it’s core is the ideology and perspective of every other New York billionaire. The author and his friends clearly know more than you and have positioned themselves to make decisions on your behalf. This book is a gilded and American flag festooned store front on Main Street for the the unelected financial elite and inner circle to cover their tracks with overt Americana. It’s a political discourse that if your liberal you’ll love, and if your conservative you just shake your head, and if your libertarian you won’t even make it through.