Stephen Edward Ambrose (January 10, 1936 – October 13, 2002) was an American historian and biographer of U.S. Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. He was a long time professor of history at the University of New Orleans.
Easton Press Stephen Ambrose books
Stephen Ambrose biography
Ambrose was born in Lovington, Illinois, and raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin, having graduated from Whitewater High School. His family also owned a farm in Lovington, Illinois, and vacation property in Marinette County, Wisconsin.Ambrose originally wanted to get his major in premed, but decided to switch his major to history after hearing his teacher's first lecture in his U.S. history class entitled "Representative Americans" which he took his sophomore year in college. Ambrose went on to receive his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1960. He served as a professor of history at several universities from 1960 until his retirement in 1995, having spent the bulk of his time at the University of New Orleans. For the academic year 1969-70, he was Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History at the Naval War College. In 1970 while teaching at Kansas State University, Ambrose was asked to resign after having heckled President Nixon during a speech that the president gave on the KSU campus. He also taught at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Career
Early in his career, Ambrose was mentored by World War II historian Forrest Pogue. He was the author of several bestselling books about the war, including D-Day, Citizen Soldiers, and The Victors. His other major books include Undaunted Courage, about Lewis and Clark, and Nothing Like It in the World, about the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. He was the founder of the Eisenhower Center and President of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was the military adviser in the movie Saving Private Ryan and was an executive producer on the television mini-series that was based on his book, Band of Brothers.
Former president and five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower requested Ambrose as his biographer after admiring his work on Halleck: Lincoln's Chief of Staff, which was based on his doctoral dissertation. The resulting Eisenhower biographies were generally enthusiastic but contained many criticisms of the former commander in chief.
Ambrose also wrote a highly regarded[citation needed] three-volume biography of Richard Nixon. Although Ambrose was a vehement critic of Nixon's, the biography was lauded as being fair and just regarding Nixon's presidency[citation needed]. However his Band of Brothers (1993) and D-Day (1994), about the lives and fates of individual soldiers in the World War II invasion, placed his works into mainstream American culture. The mini-series 'Band of Brothers' (2001) lionized American troops and helped sustain the fresh interest in WWII that was stimulated by the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994, and the 60th anniversary of D-Day in 2004.
Ambrose has received criticism from American veterans. Veterans of troop carrier units that transported paratroopers in the American airborne landings in Normandy have severely criticized Ambrose for portraying them as unqualified and craven in several of his works, including Band of Brothers and D-Day, and for characterizing them as "cranks" when they asked that he change the passages. One online source notes numerous discrepancies and some apparent fabrications, many of which have disturbed other veterans of the 101st.
It is said that Ambrose organized his entire family into a sort of "history factory" and began turning out popular books of history like The Wild Blue. In 2002, Ambrose was accused of plagiarizing several passages which he footnoted but did not enclose in the required quotation marks.
Ambrose also appeared as a historian in the 25th episode, "Reckoning," of the ITV television series, The World at War, which details the history of World War II.
In 2001, Ambrose was awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Medal for Distinguished Public Service from the Theodore Roosevelt Association.
Cause of death
Ambrose, a longtime smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2002. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and, seven months after the diagnosis, he died at the age of 66. He was survived by his wife, Moira, and children Andy, Barry, Hugh, Grace, and Stephenie.
Band of Brothers
Band
of Brothers chronicles the remarkable journey of Easy Company, part of
the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from
their rigorous training in Georgia to the harrowing battles they faced
on the front lines of World War II. Based on historian Stephen E.
Ambrose's meticulously researched book of the same name, this acclaimed
miniseries offers a gripping account of the bravery, camaraderie, and
sacrifice of the men who served in one of the most storied units of the
war. Drawing from interviews with surviving members of Easy Company and
extensive archival research, Band of Brothers brings to life the
experiences of these ordinary men who found themselves thrust into
extraordinary circumstances. From the chaos of the D-Day landings at
Normandy to the bitter cold of the Battle of the Bulge, viewers are
transported to the battlefields of Europe, where Easy Company forged an
indelible legacy of heroism and resilience.
At the center of the
narrative is the bond that forms between the members of Easy Company,
forged in the crucible of combat and tested by the rigors of war.
Through their triumphs and tragedies, viewers witness the true meaning
of brotherhood as these soldiers rally together to overcome seemingly
insurmountable odds. Band of Brothers is more than a mere recounting of
military history; it is a profound meditation on the human spirit and
the resilience of the human heart. Through its compelling storytelling
and vivid characterizations, the miniseries offers a poignant reminder
of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation and the enduring
legacy of their courage and sacrifice.
As viewers follow the
journey of Easy Company through the trials and tribulations of war, they
are reminded of the profound impact of ordinary individuals coming
together to achieve extraordinary feats. Band of Brothers stands as a
testament to the power of solidarity, courage, and sacrifice in the face
of adversity, inspiring audiences with its timeless message of hope,
honor, and valor.
D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Battle for the Normandy Beaches
D-Day,
June 6, 1944: The Battle for the Normandy Beaches is a gripping account
of one of the most pivotal moments in World War II history. In this
meticulously researched and vividly recounted narrative, acclaimed
historian Stephen E. Ambrose takes readers on a harrowing journey
through the largest amphibious invasion in history. From the meticulous
planning and preparation to the heroic bravery displayed by Allied
forces on the beaches of Normandy, Ambrose offers a compelling and
immersive portrayal of the pivotal battle that turned the tide of the
war. Through firsthand accounts, archival photographs, and expert
analysis, D-Day, June 6, 1944 provides a comprehensive and deeply moving
tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the soldiers
who fought and died to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny.
Citizen Soldiers: The US Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany
From
Stephen E. Ambrose, bestselling author of Band of Brothers and D-Day ,
the inspiring story of the ordinary men of the U.S. army in northwest
Europe from the day after D-Day until the end of the bitterest days of
World War II.
Citizen Soldiers: The US Army from the Normandy
Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany is a riveting portrayal
of the American soldiers who fought and triumphed on the battlefields
of World War II. Written by renowned historian Stephen E. Ambrose, this
gripping narrative takes readers on a compelling journey through the
trials and triumphs of the US Army from the D-Day landings in Normandy
to the final surrender of Nazi Germany. Through meticulous research and
vivid storytelling, Ambrose brings to life the courage, sacrifice, and
camaraderie of the citizen soldiers who bore the brunt of the fighting
in Europe. From the chaos of combat to the moments of heroism and valor,
Citizen Soldiers offers a poignant tribute to the ordinary men who
achieved extraordinary feats in the name of freedom and democracy.
Undaunted Courage: The Pioneering First Mission to Explore America's Wild Frontier
Undaunted
Courage chronicles the epic journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, a
pioneering endeavor that forever altered the course of American
history. Authored by esteemed historian Stephen E. Ambrose, this
captivating biography offers a comprehensive and deeply researched
account of the expedition's perilous voyage across the uncharted
wilderness of the American West. In 1804, under the leadership of
Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, a small band of intrepid
explorers set out from St. Louis, Missouri, with the ambitious goal of
traversing the continent to the Pacific Ocean. Armed with little more
than their wits, determination, and the support of Native American
guides, the expedition ventured into the unknown, facing untold dangers,
hardships, and obstacles along the way.
Through Ambrose's vivid
prose and meticulous attention to detail, readers are transported back
in time to experience the triumphs and tribulations of the Lewis and
Clark Expedition firsthand. From encounters with hostile tribes and
treacherous terrain to the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural
landscape, Undaunted Courage paints a rich and immersive portrait of the
American frontier. At its heart, Undaunted Courage is a tribute to the
indomitable spirit of exploration and discovery that fueled the
expedition's remarkable achievements. Lewis and Clark's journey not only
expanded the boundaries of the young United States but also deepened
our understanding of the continent's geography, ecology, and indigenous
peoples.
But beyond its historical significance, Undaunted
Courage is also a testament to the resilience, resourcefulness, and
camaraderie of the men who embarked on this audacious quest. Through
their courage and determination, they forged a path through the
wilderness that would pave the way for generations of settlers, traders,
and adventurers to come. As readers accompany Lewis and Clark on their
monumental expedition, they are reminded of the boundless possibilities
that await those who dare to venture into the unknown. Undaunted Courage
stands as a timeless tribute to the pioneering spirit that defines the
American experience and continues to inspire explorers and adventurers
around the world.
Witness to America: An Illustrated Documentary History of the United States from the Revolution to Today
Witness
to America stands as a comprehensive and visually stunning testament to
the rich tapestry of American history, meticulously curated by
historians Stephen Ambrose and Douglas Brinkley. Spanning from the
nation's founding to the present day, this captivating biography offers
readers a unique glimpse into the pivotal moments, defining events, and
extraordinary individuals that have shaped the United States into the
nation it is today. Through a diverse array of primary sources,
including letters, speeches, photographs, and newspaper clippings,
"Witness to America" invites readers to immerse themselves in the
sights, sounds, and voices of the past. From the stirring rhetoric of
the Founding Fathers to the impassioned pleas of civil rights leaders,
each document serves as a window into the hopes, dreams, and struggles
of the American people throughout history.
At its core, Witness
to America is more than a mere collection of historical artifacts; it is
a vibrant and multifaceted portrait of the American experience. Through
its meticulously researched commentary and expert analysis, the
biography sheds light on the complex interplay of politics, culture, and
society that have shaped the nation's trajectory over the centuries. As
readers journey through the pages of Witness to America, they are
treated to a panoramic view of key moments in American history, from the
Revolutionary War and the Civil War to the civil rights movement and
the challenges of the modern era. Each chapter unfolds like a living
tableau, offering insight, perspective, and understanding into the
forces that have shaped the nation's identity and destiny. But beyond
its scholarly contributions, Witness to America is also a celebration of
the diverse voices and perspectives that comprise the American story.
Through its inclusion of lesser-known voices and marginalized
communities, the biography strives to present a more inclusive and
nuanced portrait of the nation's past, challenging readers to reconsider
their understanding of history and its impact on the present.
In
sum, Witness to America stands as a timeless tribute to the enduring
spirit of democracy, resilience, and innovation that define the American
character. With its richly illustrated pages and insightful commentary,
this biography offers readers a captivating journey through the annals
of American history, reminding us of the timeless lessons and enduring
legacies that continue to shape our nation's collective memory.
Witness
to America is a fascinating, highly readable, and entertaining
collection that shows us what America is and where it may go.
Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-69
Nothing Like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-69 is a riveting account of one of the most monumental engineering feats in American history. Renowned historian Stephen E. Ambrose takes readers on an epic journey through the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, chronicling the herculean efforts of the men who toiled tirelessly to link the East and West coasts of the United States. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Ambrose brings to life the challenges, triumphs, and tragedies faced by the railroad's builders, from the backbreaking labor of the Chinese immigrant workers to the vision and leadership of the railroad barons. With its compelling narrative and rich historical detail, Nothing Like It in the World offers readers a captivating glimpse into a pivotal moment in American history and the extraordinary individuals who made it possible.
To America: Personal Reflections of an Historian
To
America: Personal Reflections of an Historian is a compelling and
deeply personal exploration of the American experience by acclaimed
historian Stephen E. Ambrose. In this captivating biography, Ambrose
offers readers a thought-provoking journey through the nation's history,
culture, and identity, drawing on his own experiences and insights as a
scholar and storyteller.
Through a series of engaging essays,
Ambrose reflects on a wide range of topics, from the founding ideals of
the nation to the challenges and triumphs of the 20th century. With his
trademark blend of wit, wisdom, and scholarly rigor, he delves into the
key moments and figures that have shaped the American story, offering
fresh perspectives and illuminating insights along the way. At the heart
of To America is Ambrose's deep admiration for the resilience,
ingenuity, and spirit of the American people. Whether recounting the
heroism of the Founding Fathers, the sacrifices of soldiers in World War
II, or the struggles of civil rights activists, he celebrates the
enduring values that have defined the nation's character and inspired
generations of Americans. But To America is more than a mere recounting
of historical events; it is a heartfelt tribute to the ideals of
democracy, freedom, and opportunity that lie at the heart of the
American dream. Ambrose's love for his country shines through in every
page, reminding readers of the boundless possibilities that await those
who dare to dream and strive for a better future.
As readers
accompany Ambrose on his journey through the annals of American history,
they are inspired to reflect on their own relationship to the nation
and its ideals. With its insightful commentary and profound reflections,
To America serves as a timeless reminder of the power of history to
inform, inspire, and unite us as a people.
To America is an instant classic for all those interested in history, patriotism, and the love of writing.
Source and additional information: Stephen E. Ambrose