The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians

by David M. Rubenstein, Carla Hayden (Foreword)

Co-founder of The Carlyle Group and patriotic philanthropist David M. Rubenstein takes readers on a sweeping journey across the grand arc of the American story through revealing conversations with our greatest historians.

In these lively dialogues, the biggest names in American history explore the subjects they’ve come to so intimately know and understand.

— David McCullough on John Adams
— Jon Meacham on Thomas Jefferson
— Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton
— Walter Isaacson on Benjamin Franklin
— Doris Kearns Goodwin on Abraham Lincoln
— A. Scott Berg on Charles Lindbergh
— Taylor Branch on Martin Luther King
— Robert Caro on Lyndon B. Johnson
— Bob Woodward on Richard Nixon
— And many others, including a special conversation with Chief Justice John Roberts

Through his popular program The David Rubenstein Show , David Rubenstein has established himself as one of our most thoughtful interviewers. Now, in The American Story, David captures the brilliance of our most esteemed historians, as well as the souls of their subjects. The book features introductions by Rubenstein as well a foreword by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to lead our national library. Richly illustrated with archival images from the Library of Congress, the book is destined to become a classic for serious readers of American history.

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

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Biography, Politics, Audiobook, American

396 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2019

About the author

David Mark Rubenstein is an American billionaire lawyer, businessman, investor, philanthropist and sports team owner. A former government official, he is a co-founder and co-chairman of the private equity firm The Carlyle Group, a global private equity investment company based in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he is the owner of the Baltimore Orioles.

Reviews

[John McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Co-founder of The Carlyle Group and patriotic philanthropist David M. Rubenstein is the editor of The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians. These conversations were originally discussions with members of Congress in the Congressional Dialogues series, sponsored by the Library of Congress. Throughout the book, Rubenstein demonstrates himself to be a skillful interviewer. Interviewees include David McCullough, Jon Meacham, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Walter Isaacson, Robert Caro, and among many others. This book serves as an insight into the minds of historians and their subjects. The greatest achievement of The American Story is that it tells a wide arc version of American history, but as Rubenstein points out, not a complete view: only two women (Goodwin and the late Cokie Roberts) are interviewed, and women and minorities are the subject of only one conversation apiece. There is much to learn from this book, whose audience includes both history buffs and those seeking a primer in American history.

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The interview with Chief Justice Roberts seems out of place, the book needs a more interesting cover.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of interviews with various historians recorded in front of a live audience. It therefore made it a perfect choice to listen to in audio format. Historical figures discussed include John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, MLK, Charles Lindbergh and others. Recommended to anyone interested in American history.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a big fan of author interviews, The American Story is a book written after my own heart. I must have watched and listened to over a hundred hours of Robert Caro interviews alone and find that author interviews are often a great complement to their written work. Themes elaborated on over hundreds of pages can be summarised in sentences and you can get a greater sense of an author's enthusiasm for their subjects than you might from their weighty, fact-driven tomes.

David M. Rubenstein's book is a collection of trascribed interviews with leading historians of the United States, including the likes of David McCullough, Jon Meacham, Ron Chernow, and Doris Kearns Goodwin, most of whom speak insightfully on their chosen subjects. I particularly enjoyed Cokie Roberts' discussion of the role women had in the evolution of the US political and social system. Taylor Branch's discussion of the years of Martin Luther King (about which he wrote a fantastic three-part series) is probably the best example of how the interview format can illuminate an author's personal perspective in a way that builds upon their published work. Learning what he had in common with his subject was great.

Strangely, the book ends with an interview of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who isn't a practicing historian nor a particularly inspiring judge. As an interviewee, he gives insight into the day-to-day operations of the Supreme Court and some related trivia, but that's about it. Apparently this was the most-attended of Rubenstein's interviews before members of congress, though, so there's that. The interview of Roberts follows that of prolific historian H.W. Brands -- a noticeable downgrade. Outside of the underwhelming ending, however, this is an excellent book of interviews that devotees of the form will surely enjoy.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating book that shows a glimpse into American experience through some of our best patriots and the historians who tell their stories. The book is written as a series of interviews conducted at the Library of Congress so it’s very quick to read with interesting insights on every page. Each chapter is a different person from Washington to MLK to Chief Justice Roberts.

I am proud to be an American and it is stories about these patriots from the past that give me hope for the future.

I hope there is a sequel to this book, but this time with stories of women patriots too.

[Donald Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting discussions. I obtained the Audible version and found that ideal for this type of book. Of course there was far less substance than if it had been a book but it was nonetheless quite interesting on the topics discussed by the authors interviewed (and Chief Justice Roberts). Good history but really nothing new if anyone has a basic knowledge of the figures discussed. The best part was hearing the perspectives of the historians and how they approached their work.

[LAPL Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

These conversations with master historians were the result of a “spur of the moment” idea that came to philanthropist David M. Rubenstein, who is a major supporter of The Library of Congress and The National Book Festival, as well as supporting other projects which preserve our national heritage. This would be, “ A series of interviews with accomplished American historians about their books, in front of an audience principally comprising members of Congress." The event became known as The Congressional Dialogues and would provide, " ... an opportunity for members to come to the Library for an evening built around the study of individuals who have been significant in American history." It began on June 18, 2013 with Jon Meacham. At the time this book was published, there had been thirty-eight Congressional Dialogues. Along with Jennifer Howard, Rubenstein presents what he considers to be the most intriguing of the conversations, sixteen in all, which are arranged in chronological order beginning with George Washington and proceeding up through the late twentieth century.

David M. Rubenstein was the host and interviewer, and provided an introduction to each session, stating which book and/or books were discussed and background information about the historian. Rubenstein asked no holds barred questions, and the historians responded in kind. Here are a few highlights:

"Jon Meachem on Thomas Jefferson" Rubenstein wants to know if Meachem has any doubts about the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings, his slave. Meachem emphatically states that he has no doubt at all, "I do not believe that a man so driven by appetite for power, for books, for wine, for art, for knowledge, could at the age of forty, after his wife died, simply stop short of indulging the most sensuous appetite of all."

"Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton" Rubenstein praises Chernow as a writer and scholar, who is respected by other scholars and also writes books that become bestsellers. The book on Hamilton sold well and there is an interesting sidenote, "Of greater significance, it was read on a Mexican vacation by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who used it as the basis for ..." Well, the rest is theatrical history.

"Taylor Branch on Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement" Taylor Branch is a journalist, editor, college lecturer, political organizer and biographer, who spent twenty-four years researching and writing what became known as: The America in the King Years Trilogy, which can be found in the LAPL catalog under the individual book titles: Parting the waters, 1954-63; Pillar of fire, 1963-65; At Canaan's edge, 1965-68. King was dedicated to achieving civil rights by way of civil disobedience and nonviolence. Rubenstein asks, "Was nonviolence a very popular approach at the time?" Branch replies, "No. It was not popular. First of all, it was scary, because it meant you're willing to accept violence."

These are mere snippets from only three interviews. There are thirteen more lively, penetrating interviews and many more books to be read.

In the foreword to the book, Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, answers two questions:“Is the Library of Congress only for members of Congress?" The answer is no. “Do members of Congress actually use the Library?” The answer is yes, and Hayden qualifies how they use it. The answer to her first question raises one for those of us who do not live in Washington, D.C.: How can all of us use our national library? We cannot check out books, but we can access other sources of information right here: The Library of Congress. As of today there are access points across the top of the wesbsite for the following: Library Catalog, Digital Collections, Researchers, Visitors, Teachers, Blogs, U.S. Copyright Office. The Teachers resource portal alone will open up a breathtaking array of more portals, which provide accurate, free materials to teachers and parents. There are even more resources available to all of us by way of our national library, The Library of Congress. Go there and get lost in a wonderland of information.

David Rubenstein calls his donations to The Library of Congress and to other institutions, "patriotic philanthropy," in order to preserve historic documents and buildings in order, " ... to educate Americans about their history and heritage--the good and the bad." As a true philanthropist, Mr. Rubenstein states that, “All royalty revenues from sales of this book will be donated to The Library of Congress’s Literacy Awards, a program which I worked with the Library to create and fund in 2013.”

Reviewed by Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Central Library

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you haven't read many biographies of our founding fathers and presidents, think of these interviews as appetizers for sampling bits of interesting historical facts combined with a sense of their personalities.

The interviews are accessible and interesting vignettes that may inspire you to dig into America's story as told through the hopes, dreams and flaws of our Chief Executives.

I liked the format because I could preview biographies I haven't read yet for reading later.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In early 2013, I had a thought that it might be a worthwhile exercise to do a series of interviews with accomplished American historians about their books, in front of an audience principally comprising members of Congress . . . The idea was simply to provide the members with more information about the great leaders and events in our country’s past, with the hope that, in exercising their various responsibilities, our senators and representatives would be more knowledgeable about history and what it can teach us about future challenges.” —David M. Rubenstein

I really enjoyed the eloquent, insightful and intellectual nature of David Rubenstein’s Congressional Dialogue series, and highly recommend listening to the audio book which features the live recordings of these conversations. The master historians and distinguished authors that Rubenstein interviews are not only great storytellers, but they also spoke with a veracity, passion and humor that made learning about these influential American figures both fascinating and engaging.

“You have to understand history in order to understand who we were, how we got to where we are, why we are the way we are, and where we might be going.” —David McCullough

“I started looking back at Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, Andrew Jackson and Jefferson, in part to see whether the world seemed as complicated and confounding and difficult in their time as our world does now. And the answer is yes, for in real time we never know how the American story is going to turn out” —John Meacham

“The reason I find biography so compelling is that when you look at great American figures . . . their vices are almost as large as their virtues” —John Meacham

“The success of any individual president has as much to do with the state of the country as with the character of the individual candidate” —H.W. Brands


Two more quotes I loved:

“I was giving a talk at a university in California, and during the question-and-answer period one of the questions was, ‘Aside from Harry Truman and John Adams, how many other presidents have you interviewed?’ And I said, ‘Appearances notwithstanding, I did not know President Truman or President Adams.’” —David McCullough
 
“And that’s the moment that Charles Lindberg becomes the first modern media superstar. I have often said, ‘Twenty years ago now, there was an English princess who was chased through the streets of Paris and was killed. That car chase began the night Lindberg landed in Paris.’” —A. Scott Berg

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rubenstein is easily the worst interviewer I have ever encountered outside of an elementary school. He constantly interrupts his subjects, usually right when they are wrapping up a complex or nuanced story. And not to ask a hard hitting question or push back on evasiveness. Nope. Rubenstein interrupts to advertise his knowledge of the most basic aspects of history, oftentimes not even bothering to phrase it as a question. He's like a belligerent version of the Chris Farley sketch. Some of the historians are excellent. Taylor Branch, H.W. Brands, and David McCullough were the standouts. This would have received four stars if Rubenstein hadn't let his undeserved vanity spoil it.

[Launette Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is especially applicable now with Americans confused about the integrity of our founding fathers. The author interviews other famous authors that have written books about famous people in America, so you hear this inside story. I would listen to this book so you can hear the actually interview in front of an audience.

[William Bahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a highly enjoyable, very informative book. I particularly liked the format of the author interviewing a number of highly renowned authors covering the American Story. In some cases, the interviews seem quite casual, with Rubenstein leading his interviewees with quite specific questions. In other cases, the questions are broad, with the authors waxing poetic with innumerable interesting commentaries about how the character of key people plays a leading role in shaping our country.

For what it’s worth, though, I’d like to make a few observations, based upon reading a number of other books, especially about Revolutionary War figures:

Kindle Page 2 of 396 (repeated on page 22): “…he [Washington] asked not to be buried for two days.” Actually, according to the most reliable source, Washington said, “Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the Vault in less than three days after I am dead.” Washington spoke this sometime just before he died between 10 and 11 pm on 14 December 1799, and Tobias Lear, his secretary, recorded this in his diary for 14 December. On 15 December, Thomas Law (husband of Martha's granddaughter Elizabeth) transcribed Lear's diary into a letter to a Mrs. Barry (likely the wife of Commodore John Barry, US Navy Chief); one handwritten copy says two days; a printed copy says three days. On 16 December, Lear wrote the time frame as two days in a letter to his mother. It's quite possible that Washington's dying close to midnight may explain the discrepancy. In any case, Washington’s body was placed in the Vault on 18 December, satisfying his wish. An internet search of sources gives 1050 citing three days; 311 citing two days. Mount Vernon’s website cites three days.

Kindle Page 4 of 396: “Although George Washington had never led more than a couple of hundred men, he was the most experienced military leader in Virginia,…” In fact, while head of the Virginia Regiment, Washington commanded around 1,000 men, at one time around 1,400. Remember Horatio Gates, formerly a British captain and American militia captain (NY), was also experienced militarily, as was Charles Lee, formerly a British Lieutenant Colonel. Friends and near-neighbors, both were living in Virginia at the start of the Revolutionary War in an area which is now West Virginia. However, the point could be legitimately made, that of the three, Washington was the most experienced in building an army from scratch, an expertise America desperately needed.

Kindle Page 9 of 396: “This [1776, presumably right before Trenton/Princeton] was the darkest moment in the war.” Depending upon the length of “moments,” one could also argue that 1780 was the darkest timeframe of the war, with American defeats at Charleston (worst defeat of the war) and Camden (serious defeat of Gates’ army), the traitorous betrayal of Benedict Arnold, and inflation becoming rampant, with Congress unable to pay the troops, leading to mutinies beginning on 1 January 1781. In April 1781, Washington would write: "We are at the end of our tether…”

Kindle Page 10 of 396: “When he heard this, King George III said, ‘If George Washington gives up power, as I hear he’s going to, he’s the greatest man in the world.’” In fact, when told by the American painter Benjamin West that Washington was going to resign his military command, King George III is said to have said that, if Washington did that, he would be “the greatest character of the age.”

Kindle Page 13 of 396: “He [Washington] was elected unanimously. And under the Constitution, whoever got the most votes from the electors was president and whoever got the second most was vice president. So the vice president was John Adams.” For clarification of exactly how the election was set up (to elect Washington unanimously while Adams getting the second most votes), Wikipedia says: “The Constitution created the offices of President and Vice President, fully separating these offices from Congress. The Constitution established an Electoral College, based on each state's Congressional representation, in which each elector would cast two votes for two different candidates,…”

Kindle Page 21 of 396: “Washington didn’t expect a French invasion [Quasi War with France, July 1798 – September 1800], but he was willing to lend his prestige to the administration to calm public fears, which were soon dispelled.” I believe Washington’s involvement in the Quasi [undeclared] War was a little more complicated than this. He spent months (perhaps up to eight) setting up his military organization, and due to picking Hamilton as his immediate subordinate, got into a dispute with Adams and effectively ruined his relationship with Knox. During this period, as well, the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed, with Washington privately concerned about the “French Plot” to take control of the direction of American foreign policy, moving America away from neutrality and into the war between England and revolutionary France and onto the side of France.

Kindle Page 31 of 396 "Only about a third of the country was for independence. A third of the country was against it. And the remaining third, in the good old human way, was waiting to see how it came out.” This ratio is supposedly one originating with something John Adams said, but not, as I recall, about the Revolutionary War. Actually, he was talking at the time about the American view of the French Revolution. As regards, the American Revolution, though, other historians place the ratio somewhere around 10% for, 10% against, and 80% just wanting to be left alone. However, as the revolution progressed, the percentages varied wildly depending upon prospects for independence. It's been written that, at most, those for the Revolution did not exceed 45% and those against 20%.

Later on that page: “It [the Revolutionary War] was the longest war in our history except for Vietnam.” I’m not sure when this interview was made. Certainly as of November 2019 the war in Afghanistan has now eclipsed in length even the Vietnam War.

Note: The index in the Kindle version doesn’t always link to the correct Kindle page(s).

I make these comments just as a small matter of record, not to diminish Rubenstein’s amazing accomplishment of bringing together such a renowned cast of expert historians. And, I’ll happily modify this review if my observations are wrong or the book is revised. However, I know from my own writing the difficulty in fact-checking and proof-reading: there’s always a new, perhaps more valid source one finds after the book is published; and in every new revision, for every two typos taken out, a new one unfortunately somehow goes in. C’est la vie! : )

But back to the book itself – it’s a joy to read! Here is one of my favorite passages, from David McCullough’s chapter: “One of the lines that appears again and again in the Founding Fathers’ writings is a line from Alexander Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’: ‘Act well your part, there all the honor lies.’ In other words, history has cast you in these roles and you better damn well play that role to the best of your ability. And why? ‘There all the honor lies.’ Nobody talks about honor anymore. Not money, not fame, not power—honor. And they really believed that. Of course, they didn’t always live up to it, but they believed it."

Bottom line from a fellow author: I highly recommend this book, a monumental conversation about the importance of high character in leading figures throughout our distinctly American Story! A must-read!!

Of possible interest: George Washington's Liberty Key: Mount Vernon's Bastille Key - the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul, a best-seller at Mount Vernon. “Character is Key for Liberty!” and Strategy Pure and Simple: Essential Moves for Winning in Competition and Cooperation

[Juliette · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only interviews that I enjoyed were Chief Justice Roberts’ and Cokie Roberts’.

This is the Reader’s Digest version of American history, and it leaves the impression that few women and fewer people of color contributed American history. We all know that to be untrue.

At one point, Rubenstein asked Taylor Branch, “Did you ever think maybe you were giving too much time to this project [on the Civil Rights movement]?” (p. 253) Branch spent 24 years researching the Civil Rights movement. Rubenstein did not ask the same question to Robert A. Caro, who spent over 30 years researching Lyndon B. Johnson.
Branch also says, “In retrospect, it’s amazing that you had a Fifteenth Amendment there, guaranteeing the right to vote, but black people couldn’t vote, and nobody seemed to notice.” (p. 255) Nobody? Black people noticed.
Meacham downplays President Jefferson’s affair with Sally Hemmings, even saying that the Hemmings family was “— and a white southerner really hesitates to use this word — but they were a privileged slave family.” (p. 54)

I expected more from a book published in 2019.

[Riq Hoelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't too thrilled with the parts on Lincoln and the founders. Maybe I know too much about these already, but there didn't seem to be anything I hadn't heard before, and some of what I heard, while not entirely wrong, were generalizations of subjects that would differ if one went into the nuance. As usual, I wasn't that crazy about H.W. Brands (on Reagan) who always sounds to me under-researched and presenting things in a surface-y way as if still the high school teacher he used to be.

But I really like the 20th century portions on Lindbergh and Eisenhower. Also it was interesting to hear Bob Woodward's takes on each of the modern presidents -- he has met most of them. Finally, the surprise interview with Chief Justice Roberts was quite good. What a down to earth fellow he must be.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read! I thought I knew a lot about American history and our historical leaders and figures but there truly is always more knowledge to learn!

The format of each chapter being interviews with experts focusing on key historical figures was very riveting and engaging. I wish this was a series!

[Harshan Ramadass · Rating 4 out of 5]

The founders, Abraham Lincoln, Eisenhower, LBJ, Reagan. Oh my! All these long dead dudes- such fascinating characters. Conflicted, messy, complicated but leaders made and shaped by unique circumstances. The US is a chaotic messed up place, but the oldest and leading democracy in the world is sum of all these people, and reading about that country’s history is never boring. And the scholarship of these historians who bring them to life? Another level of genius. David Rubinstein of course somehow manages to get out of their way and still adds insights. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Travis Standley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found these interviews very engaging and informative. I’m impressed with the thought that good historians like those interviewed are a national treasure to help us remember our story, to maintain hope, and to have more clear thought about the present heading into the future. I’m not sure the final interview with a Supreme Court justice for the pattern for the rest of the book but it was interesting nonetheless.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book - really a pleasure to read - filled with informative stories from leading chroniclers of prominent figures in America's past, with a nice interview of the Chief Justice at the end. Rubenstein obviously did his homework in preparing these interviews, and I think he facilitates the interviews very nicely.

A few things I kept in mind while reading, though:

There are some factual errors, so don't take everything at face value. (John Adams wasn't elected in 1800, being the most obvious one.)

Similarly, there are authoritative-sounding statements given without qualification that the interviewee is giving his or her own interpretation of facts, which may be subject to dispute. In other words, some of the content is opinion, albeit well-informed, so I didn't take it for granted that a certain statement here or there was "the" opinion on the subject. (That said, I think these interviews are a great launching point for learning more.)

Also, the interviewees aren't necessarily "master historians," in the terms of the profession of history. I think there is only one professionally trained and actively practicing historian in the bunch - H.W. Brands - while the rest are journalists or political scientists. I only say this because academic historians would probably take a different approach to these subjects (which might be why they don't sell as many books as these authors).

Speaking of which, finally, this is not THE American story. It is the past seen through the prism of "great" individuals - most of them men (with the exception of a chapter on the First Ladies), and most of them white (with the exception of MLK). There's a great big world out there in terms of America's past, viewed from all kinds of perspectives, and this is just a narrow slice of it.

Anyway, keeping all of that in mind, I found this to be a valuable and pleasurable read that I might undertake again in the future. (Also might be worth listening to the audiobook.)

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book would most appeal to those who have some interest in the master historians or David Rubinstein, rather than the history itself. Most of the history related in the conversations is fairly well-known, particularly if one has read the master historians' books on the subjects, and too much time is spent on extraneous information about the historians and Rubinstein. I did learn some interesting things from the sections on Lindbergh, Roosevelt and Eisenhower, but beyond that there wasn't much new.

[Chad Manske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine sitting down with some of the greatest minds in American history, sipping coffee, and diving deep into the stories that shaped a nation. That's exactly the experience David M. Rubenstein offers in "The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians." This isn't just a book; it's a VIP pass to exclusive, riveting chats with the rock stars of history. Rubenstein, a billionaire philanthropist with a passion for history, has a knack for asking the right questions. He brings together an all-star lineup of historians, including Doris Kearns Goodwin, David McCullough, and Jon Meacham, to name a few. Each conversation is a masterclass in storytelling, making history not just informative but downright entertaining. What's truly captivating about this book is its conversational style. Rubenstein doesn't just interview; he engages in dynamic dialogues that bring historical figures and events to life. Whether it's the gritty details of George Washington's leadership or the nuanced complexities of the Civil Rights Movement, these discussions are as lively as a Broadway play. Rubenstein's enthusiasm is infectious, and you can almost hear the voices of these historians coming off the pages. One of the standout features is how Rubenstein manages to humanize iconic figures. Through these conversations, we see Thomas Jefferson wrestling with contradictions, Abraham Lincoln navigating a nation in turmoil, and Eleanor Roosevelt emerging as a beacon of resilience. These aren't just names in a textbook; they become real, flawed, and fascinating individuals. The book also excels in its breadth. Rubenstein covers a vast expanse of American history, from the Revolutionary War to contemporary politics. Each chapter is a deep dive into pivotal moments, offering fresh perspectives and surprising insights. It's a reminder that history is not a collection of isolated events but a rich tapestry of interconnected stories. Rubenstein's "The American Story" is more than a history lesson; it's an invitation to explore the past with curiosity and wonder. It's perfect for history buffs, casual readers, and anyone who loves a good story. The conversational tone makes it accessible and engaging, while the depth of knowledge is sure to satisfy even the most discerning history aficionados. Rubenstein's engaging style, combined with the expertise of master historians, makes this book a treasure trove of wisdom and entertainment.

[Bill Gartner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. David Rubenstein is a "patriotic philanthropist" who, in addition to being one of the original signers of the "Giving Pledge", has quietly made amazing personal contributions to the preservation of US history. Beneficiaries of his generosity include the National Archives (where the last privately owned copy of the Magna Carta is stored, thanks to his purchase), the National Zoo, the Washington Monument, just to name a few. He was a founder of the Carlyle Group, but always had a deep love for American History. In this book, he conducts a series of interviews with renowned historians who have published best-selling biographies including David McCullough (John Adams), Jon Meacham (Thomas Jefferson), Ron Chernow (Alexander Hamilton), Walter Isaacson (Ben Franklin), Doris Kearns Goodwin (Lincoln), and others. He concludes with a wonderful interview of
Chief Justice John Roberts. Though not my frequent habit, I decided to listen to this book on Audible, and I would highly recommend the audio version - where you will hear the live interviews conducted as part of this series that Rubenstein hosted for Congressional leaders at the Library of Congress. To hear the authors/historians speaking about their books brings these characters to life. If you have even a passing interest in US history, this book is a must read. And, if you are like me, and have read only a few of the books that are featured, all of the others will likely find a spot on your "to read" list. This was truly a joy.

[Dan Dundon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the years, I've grown to appreciate excellent historians who have written notable books. David Rubenstein gives the reader an opportunity to listen to several of the most noted historians talk about their efforts to document prominent figures in this nation's development. For example, readers will get to review interviews with such noted authors as David McCullough, Jon Meacham and Ron Chernow. A reader may even be motivated to read a book they haven't yet gotten to on their literary journey through history.
My only criticism may be on Rubenstein's inclusion of Chief Justice John Roberts in this collection. While I found the interview interesting, I certainly would not place Roberts among the nation's top historians. Remember the subtitle of this book is "Conversations with Master Historians."

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I really enjoy about Goodreads is the opportunity to see what my friends are reading and recommend. This was the case with this book - one I didn’t know about until my friend Mary read and reviewed it last year. I thought a book where celebrated authors were interviewed about their novels of famous Americans would be interesting and it really was. I learned so much about the history of our country and how our founding fathers, past presidents and other famous individuals helped to create the country we live in today. One takeaway for me from this book is how the times haven’t changed in politics - people were just as mean spirited, difficult, cruel back in the 1700’s and 1800’s as they are today. Establishing a democracy was no easy task and our founding fathers didn’t have all the answers and made mistakes. They were people with many faults just like we find today. I found the book compelling with fascinating and well researched facts about George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and more. Five stars from me and recommended for anyone who enjoys history.

[Joseph Scaduto · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a terrific book. I really enjoyed the interviews with famous historians and biographers, along with Chief Justice John Roberts, which was a nice bonus at the end. Hearing from the authors of many of the books I have read was refreshing and enlightening and entertaining. I highly recommend reading this after you've had the opportunity to read some of the original works, but even if that is not the case, it was great to get to know the authors and how they felt about the people they spent so many years research and writing about. I highly recommend David Rubenstein's "The American Story."

[Robert Melnyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book in which David Rubenstein interviews authors about the book or books they have written about historical figures including Washington Adams, FDR, JFK, Nixon, and more. With each author you get insight into the content of the book itself, how the author came to writing about that particular person, and how they felt about the subject of the book both before and after doing the research and writing of the book. I have read a number of the book discussed, and after reading this book I am now interested in reading some of the book discussed that I have not yet read. This was a fairly quick and easy read, and worth the time.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read about a number of Library of Congress interviews with famous historians. Each author revealed something likely to be of popular interest about their subjects. For example, speculation that the Grants' dislike of Mary Lincoln kept them from Ford Theater the night of Abraham's assassination, or Eisenhower's ignorance about his ability to pick a running mate (he never was particularly fond of Nixon). Similarly, Washington's disagreement with John Adams about the proper title for the Chief Executive led them to not talk much after their initial inaugural discussion.

[June Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been watching David Rubenstein's interviews with historians on PBS for the past few years. When I found this book in our library catalog I knew I wanted to read it!

I learned a lot of new information about Alexander Hamilton, John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Lyndon B. Johnson, in particular.

There is some humor in the book when the interviewees spoke extemporaneously about their subject matter and other aspects of their own work. Bob Woodward's interview was especially enjoyable to me.

Highly-recommended for history buffs like myself!

###############

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Rubenstein’s interviews on Bloomberg is my favorite television show, so I knew that I would love this book. This is a collection of his interviews with historians about some of our country’s leaders. I really enjoyed the interviews with Ron Chernow about Alexander Hamilton (I HATE the musical, though), and with A. Scott Berg on Charles Lindbergh. It was interesting to hear that all of the historians spent at least ten years on research before writing their respective books on American leaders. A great read, especially for high school students. I wish that Rubenstein’s interview with Taylor Branch about MLK was longer and covered more topics. This will be my son’s next required book.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.33 stars. This is an interesting collection of interviews with some of the most decorated American historians, conducted at the Library of Congress in the presence of the Congress. The dialogue is swift and pointed. Some of the answers are surprising and some new information on famous Americans and is revealed. The historians' craft is explored and very helpful for aspiring historians.

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like watching a season of "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with really impressive academics. This is a solid read that will be interesting to the history nerd and the average reader alike. Rubenstein's questions run hot and cold on quality, but the answers and dialogue are solid from the included academics. A solid read from a solid series of programming.