To America

De: Stephen E. Ambrose

Narrado por: Henry Strozier

Completed shortly before Ambrose's untimely death, To America is a very personal look at our nation's history through the eyes of one of the twentieth century's most influential historians.

Ambrose roams the country's history, praising the men and women who made it exceptional. He considers Jefferson and Washington, who were progressive thinkers (while living a contradiction as slaveholders), and celebrates Lincoln and Roosevelt. He recounts Andrew Jackson's stunning defeat of a superior British force in the battle of New Orleans with a ragtag army in the War of 1812. He brings to life Lewis and Clark's grueling journey across the wilderness and the building of the railroad that joined the nation coast to coast. Taking swings at political correctness, as well as his own early biases, Ambrose grapples with the country's historic sins of racism; its ill treatment of Native Americans; and its tragic errors such as the war in Vietnam, which he ardently opposed. He contrasts the modern presidencies of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, and Johnson. He considers women's and civil rights, immigration, philanthropy, and nation building. Most powerfully, in this final volume, Ambrose offers an accolade to the historian's mighty calling.

A True Gift of Patriotic Spirit!!

Dear Mr. Ambrose,
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!

Fantastic History

Mr. Ambrose is a true master of his craft! The reader/narrator, made me feel like Ambrose was reading the book himself. I've always loved history and appreciate the time and effort put into this book.

Very interesting take on hot spots in our history

One reviewer did not like that Ambrose seemed to lack objectivity; too liberal. Since I'm a liberal, that didn't bother me as much as it might someone who leans to the right.

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.

I wish I'd been a historian

What a great book for those who ever studied history or for those interested in a brief overview of the different areas Mr Ambrose studied. He is a national treasure.

Wow!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Ambrose's personal reflections. It is great to learn history from such a passionate author. I recommend this to all who wish to gain additional historical insight, while learning a little bit about the author as well.

The twisted brain of a incoherent historian

The first thing that I picked up on fairly quickly that at least in this book and Ambrose’s definition of a historian was that he lacked objective mind of a true historian. He seemed to want to put liberal spin on almost everything except his twisted ideology about women and their place in society. He sounded like the typical male chauvinist of the 1950s. I do not believe he ever relinquished the attitude towards women.
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.

Worth the time!

Ambrose has done us all a favor with this book. A brief overview of many of the key characters and events in American history by a man who is a no Ted expert in the field. And his personal reflections draw the reader close to the author. You may not agree with all he says but you will be stimulated to consider it.

Like a casual conversation

Enjoyed the meandering musings of an extraordinary historian. Can see myself listening to this again.

Wow!

Wow! was that a chalk full of information. He applies his life into his writing, demonstrating the effects that History has had on himself and his family is a skill which he masters. What a great book! Highly Recommend it if you love history. Brilliant man.

A book for opened eyes.

As I am a young adult in a collage class this book has opened my eyes greatly. As a part of the new generation coming forth this book has set my views wild. There has been nothing in this book I didn't find enjoyable. This book is about facts and the antidotes of a great historian not afraid of opening his eyes to new concepts. I recommend this to any young adult reader. A wonderful book to read.