The American Dream: Stories from the Heart of Our Nation

by Dan Rather

At a time when we are once again talking and thinking about the meaning of America, bestselling author and award-winning journalist Dan Rather provides a powerful look at Americans who struggle to achieve their desires and ambitions. With the stories of ordinary men and women accomplishing the extraordinary, Rather demonstrates how the American dream brings us together and guides us, as it has for more than 200 years. For some, the American dream is simply to own a home or rise out of poverty. Some wish to serve God, country, or community. There are those who want to learn to read or run their own business. Still others simply wish to exercise fundamental American to openly practice their religion and to speak what is in their minds and hearts. Stirring and provocative, The American Dream illustrates that the basic American desire for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is alive and well. It also confirms what our founding fathers always that we are a country of visionaries, in ways big and small.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

With a famed and storied career that has spanned more than six decades, Dan Rather has earned his place as one of the world’s best-known journalists. He has interviewed every president since Eisenhower and, over that time, personally covered almost every important dateline in the United States and around the world. Rather joined CBS News in 1962. He quickly rose through the ranks, and in 1981 he assumed the position of Anchor and Managing Editor of the CBS Evening News—a post he held for twenty-four years. His reporting across the network helped turn 60 Minutes into an institution, launched 48 Hours as an innovative news magazine program, and shaped countless specials and documentaries. Upon leaving CBS, Rather returned to the in-depth reporting he always loved, creating the Emmy Award winning Dan Rather Reports on HDNet. Now, building upon that foundation, he is president and CEO of News and Guts, an independent production company he founded that specializes in high-quality nonfiction content across a range of traditional and digital distribution channels.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked out the audiobook version of The American Dream from the library so I'd have something to listen to on my trip this weekend - if I'm driving by myself, I'd rather listen to talking than music, as it keeps me more alert.

Dan Rather first touched on the concept of exploring the American Dreams of men & women around the country in short segments on the CBS Evening News. He then took the idea and expanded it into this book. Each chapter revolves around a topic such as Service, Fame or Education. He discusses how that topic touched his life, then talks about 2-3 people whose story also touches on that concept.

There's definitely a liberal bias to the stories he chose and the way they are presented, but it was still a pleasant diversion for the hours I was on the road. Please note the audiobook is abridged - I may go back & read the book itself at some point.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I recommend it to everyone - people who were born here, and people who were not. It makes me want to work harder toward nailing down any particular American Dream I might have, or helping others get closer to theirs. I believe that this book will help many to do away with the selfishness and greed that have pervaded our country.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few of the stories in here are captivating but a little of Rather's voice goes a long way.

[Anne Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I had heard good things about these types of non-fiction, especially Tom Brokaw’s book, The Greatest Generation. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this book. I had an open mind, especially during this time of pandemic, riots, and way too much criticism of the government. But just the introduction was too long. I wanted to get into the stories! Then as I continued to read, I felt too much like I was reading a textbook. There weren’t any pictures, and I felt too much has happened since the introduction was written...before 9/11. So if I come across another book like this, I’ll give it another try, but I have to move on from this one. Better luck next time.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of stories that are meant to illustrate a variety of Americans achieving their dreams. Rather picks his stories from real present-day people, and does the narration himself. Some are more engaging than others, and his picks themselves reveal a bit of a bias, as if he wants you to believe these "dreams" are more noteworthy than others. I listened to the audio, and I got a bit tired of his voice, perhaps because it was a documentary-style book.

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Divided into these categories, of what people strive for in America:
Freedom
Work and Wealth
The Pursuit of Happiness
Family
The Spotlight
Education
Innovation
Service to Others


Chris Gardener is in this book, as is Michael A. Cruz, and Amarillo boy whose dad worked at Pantex, and Deborah Cline, who grows her own garden and helps with the Lubbock Food Bank.

Very inspiring book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is collection of various Americans' stories. They are mildly interesting. (Some more so than others.) One problem is that pretty much all the stories follow the same exact pattern: person has huge adversity in life, overcomes that adversity to achieve something notable.

[JaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to Dan Rather read his own book. Enjoyed hearing the stories he shared and liked the insights he added.

[Toesnorth's mom]

good!

[Steve Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would enjoy Dan Rather in an audio book but after awhile it just seemed to drone on and on.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A happy reminder of when Dan Rather was such a familiar voice in more optimistic times. A good boost of encouragement during this 2016 election season when appreciation seems rare.

[Liv Frazier · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overtly patriotic with bias ignoring injustice and systems of marginalization that exist within America. There are truly inspirational stories in the book that call for hope in the American dream but it again however, ignores some important factors at play within some of the stories leading to individual success.

[Amy T. - Book lover! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this book because it lets us hear that the American Dream means so many things to so many people. It’s still something we can dream today, and “success” isn’t just about how much money is in your bank account. I use this in my classroom still today in 2019.

[Matthew McElroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stories are better than the writing. How do i feel about this? Rather does an excellent job of finding a diverse group of people who achieved an American Dream that doesn't fit neatly into a single ideal. If you had the ability, time or money to pursue your dream, you can find it in here. There are young people who collect backpacks for children in the community, women who start literacy groups and Black men who made millions in investment funds.

The compilation is a continuation of a set of stories that Rather started as host of the evening news. I would have been about 20 when this book was published, so I don't entirely remember the series. It certainly seems laudable, exposing a national audience to the way that the American dream isn't just white people buying a three bedroom house in the suburbs.

The drawback is the actual storytelling. I couldn't figure out if Rather had a ghost writer who was trying to imitate his legendary Texas folk essence. Or if Rather's storytelling doesn't translate well to a longer story. He may have benefitted from a Studs Terkel style interviewer to draw out the best parts of the story. In fact, that may be it- Rather, who is excellent in his field, just isn't Studs Terkel.