Rating: 
Summary: His Last Book: His Best
Review: Whenever Stephen Ambrose would be asked which of his books is his best, he would answer by saying his latest one. This effort entitled "To America" is not the longest by any stretch, but of the half dozen of his books that I have read, I enjoyed this one the most. Ambrose covers America from our country's beginnings right into the year 2002 when he died. Obviously he can't go into the detail he did in other efforts, but he covers our nation's history in succinct detail and explaining why he admires men such as Ulysses Grant, Andrew Jackson, Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Jackie Robinson. History, Ambrose tells us, "is about people, and nothing could be more fascinating to people than other people, living in a different time, in different circumstances." This is about people who are well known and those who are not, who have made significant contributions to America who we owe a debt of thanks for their life. Ambrose says the technological improvements of the 19th century became killing machines that turned the great wars of the 20th century into the worst century ever. Racism, women's rights, nation building, and the threat we face from the Islamic world are other subjects Ambrose touches on. The book is only 252 pages long, and if you are looking for an outstanding summary of our country's history this book will certainly hold your interest.
Rating:
Summary: A NICE WORK TO PONDER
Review: While certainly not Stephen Ambrose's finest work, it is never-th-less a work to ponder. The book consists of a number of sketches, the author's thoughts, addressing various events in our countries history. The work is rather autobiographical, which I enjoyed. Certainly not a "serious" work of history, it does give one insight as to America's place in the world and how she got there. Unlike much of his other work, the author does indulge in opinion throughout this work, something I found rather enjoyable. Can recommend this as an addition to your library. Ambrose fans will love it.
Rating:
Summary: A NICE WORK TO PONDER
Review: While certainly not Stephen Ambrose's finest work, it is never-th-less a work to ponder. The book consists of a number of sketches, the author's thoughts, addressing various events in our countries history. The work is rather autobiographical, which I enjoyed. Certainly not a "serious" work of history, it does give one insight as to America's place in the world and how she got there. Unlike much of his other work, the author does indulge in opinion throughout this work, something I found rather enjoyable. Can recommend this as an addition to your library. Ambrose fans will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Stories from the Greatest American Storyteller
Review: Who said that great storytellers had to tell original stories? Stephen Ambrose is more than just a historian, he's the storyteller of America. He doesn't write history books, he writes the stories of Americans during historical times, which is far better than any academic book on anything in US history. Ambrose finds the common man inside of the role players in key events in US history and provides his own personal insight as to what we as Americans can learn from them. I suggest this book to anybody who is looking for inspiration in American history. Thank God Stephen Ambrose was alive.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing End of a Powerful Legacy
Review: With such masterpieces as "Undaunted Courage", "Band of Brothers" and "D-Day", it is difficult to write a negative review of Stephen Ambrose's epitaph contemplation "To America: Personal Reflections of An Historian". Ambrose applies 21st century thought to 18th century events, a sin by any historian's standards. Within the first 5 pages, Ambrose stoops to discounting Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, as a "racist", a "bigot" and an "intellectual coward" (how can any historian discount the structure of slavery in 18th century aristocracy or the fact that Jefferson's prominence was a result of it? - albeit a horrific scar on American history). Although the other end of the spectrum is represented, such overpowering treatment continues throughout the book.One bright spot in the book is the objective treatment of Richard Nixon, although the subject is not susceptible to Ambrose's disappointing jabs. It is important for the reader to take this book with a teaspoon of salt, the tag-line title must be considered, that this is Ambrose's "personal reflection". His decision to keep his own opinion at bay in his previous work was a wise one as Ambrose seems more determined to end his legacy as a controversialist (evidenced by his frequent recounting of his own protest attendance) than an objective voice of history. I would advise potential readers to the leave "To America" on the shelf and read, and re-read, Ambrose's 25 other published treasures.
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