The American Story

Conversations with Master Historians

By: David M. Rubenstein, Carla Hayden - foreword

Narrated by: David M. Rubenstein, David McCullough, Walter Isaacson, Ron Chernow, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Taylor Branch, A. Scott Berg

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

In revealing conversations with our greatest historians, co-founder of the Carlyle Group and patriotic philanthropist David M. Rubenstein takes listeners on a sweeping journey across the grand arc of the American story.

These lively dialogues present some of the biggest names in American history exploring the subjects they intimately know and understand. You’ll hear live recordings of: 

• David McCullough on John Adams
• Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton
• Walter Isaacson on Benjamin Franklin
• Cokie Roberts on Founding Mothers
• Doris Kearns Goodwin on Abraham Lincoln
• A. Scott Berg on Charles Lindbergh
• Jay Winik on Franklin D. Roosevelt and 1944
• Jean Edward Smith on Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Taylor Branch on Martin Luther King
• Bob Woodward on Richard Nixon
• H.W. Brands on Ronald Reagan 
• And a special conversation with Chief Justice John Roberts 

Through his popular program The David Rubenstein Show, David Rubenstein has established himself as one of today’s most thoughtful interviewers. Now, in The American Story, David shares almost a dozen interviews that capture the brilliance of today’s most esteemed historians, as well as the souls of their subjects. The audiobook presents archival recordings of these interviews and features new introductions by Rubenstein as well as a foreword by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to lead our national library. 

Through these captivating exchanges, these best-selling and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors offer fresh insight on pivotal moments from the Founding Era to the late 20th century.

©2019 David M. Rubenstein (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Best book EVER for history buffs

Features live historians presenting the highlights of their books about the most fascinating Americans. I’ve recommended it to dozens of people.

Great collection of stories

Every interview was fascinating. Mr. Rubenstein did a great job interviewing each guest to bring out the best.

History, dead yet alive

If more of history was taught in a manner like this book, people would flock to history classes.
History is partly a definitive event on a timeline. This book described why those events as they did, when they did. It causes me to search for more rather than relegate data to memory.

Excellent !

What a wonderful, intelligent and inspiring book. God bless America. God help America. But thank you for this awesome book.

Excellent and Interesting Interviews

This audio-book is a compilation of interviews with historical scholars speaking about some of our national leaders: George Washington, John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, and more. VERY INTERESTING; easy to listen to.

A must read/listen for people who truly love our country

This book is a rare chance to hear from some of the nation’s most gifted historians speaking on some of its most important citizens, leaders and issues.

I sincerely hope there is a volume two in the near future.

Interviews with some of America’s greatest historians and conteporary non-fiction writers: bringing their works to life

The lively interviews, recorded in front of a large audience of history enthusiasts, yield the authors’ thoughts and experiences as they researched and wrote their famous books. Here’s Bob Woodward, talking about his experience investigating Watergate. Ron Chernow on Grant and Hamilton, McCullough on John Adams. Goodwin on Lincoln...too many to mention, but a real treat for students of History. Interviews are superbly conducted with great questions and humor, keeping it lively and engaging. Answers to probing questions that you could never guess. Thorough entertainment.

Masterpiece.

One of the finest works that I have experienced. Very well done indeed. I most strongly recommend this exceptional audiobook.

Excellent listening experience

These brief but fast paced interviews with prominent historians on various founding fathers and key historical Americans are outstanding. Just the right level of material to wet my appetite to want to know much more about some of the amazing people who have shaped our wonderful country. I hope they do more episodes in the future while I dig further into some of the patriots of this piece. It is perfect for audible with the real voices as an essential component over any written account.

Interesting and Insightful

Interviews with several authors of well-known biographies provide little known insights into American history and the lives of key American figures.