This is a collection of conversations with historians. Rubenstein did a good job interviewing these experts, and I really enjoyed some of them. Doris Kearns Goodwin, Ron Chernow, Taylor Branch all had so much to share about their subjects. Some of them, however, really rubbed me wrong. Jon Meacham wrote on Thomas Jefferson and his section just didn't work for me.

The most interesting chapter was the one on Eisenhower. I realized that I only knew him as a general and knew virtually nothing about him as president. My least favorite was with Chief Justice Roberts about Ronald Reagan. He was really out of place among all these renowned historians.

If you are interested in American History, you're bound to find something new in this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for the chance to get an advance copy.

Very good book - really correct and made you feel as though you were there. I would give this book my highest recommendation.

As a 'Daughter Of The American Revolution" and coming from a long history of American patriots who served our great country I was honored to receive this for review. Thank you with gratitude to the publisher and to Net Galley My review opinions are my own.

I am so honored to receive this exceptional history of our great country.
This book is quite captivating as our most accomplished patriots are here through the historians that tell their stories vividly through a series of interviews. This captivating book that shows a glimpse into American experience through some of our most highly regarded patriots . The book is written as a series of interviews with each chapter a different person from George Washington to current Chief Justices. I found much here to learn and be proud of as a American. In this time of dissension in our country we all need to be reminded of the effort of patriots and the devotion to our Constitution and country that there great people contributed. I highly recommend this book. This should be mandatory reading in all American History classes.

THE AMERICAN STORY by David M. Rubenstein surprised me – I had not looked carefully enough and expected a bit of a narrative about American history. Instead, this book contains reflections about the more personal stories of key Americans as seen through the lens of historians and biographers. The pairings are excellent and informative: for example, Caro on LBJ; Chernow on Hamilton; Goodwin on Lincoln. Plus, Rubenstein includes an interview with Chief Justice John Roberts (who himself considered becoming an historian) about the Supreme Court. That section alone is very informative both in terms of small details (Roberts entered Harvard with Bill Gates and graduated with Yo-Yo Ma) and broader perspective (Roberts speaks of laws as "wise restraints that men make" and his role as being like that of an umpire who "doesn't make the rules ... [but] applies them. ... You are not on either team when a case is in front of you."). For each of over a dozen chapters, Rubenstein includes a few pages of perspective about the historian and their subject and then provides the interview, originally conducted as part of the Congressional Dialogues which are sponsored with the Library of Congress, primarily for members of Congress. Hopefully this series will continue, with an even broader list of subjects (especially more women and people of color), but Rubenstein's interest in the arts and history shines through as does the scholarship of the interviewees. As Kirkus says, "an excellent introduction to leading historians and the books every engaged American should read." THE AMERICAN STORY would make an informative summer read for our American history and/or Civics students.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed The American Story! The book is a collection of edited transcripts from interviews done for a Congressional events series, each prefaced by a short introduction. Rubenstein hosts the interviews. The subjects of discussion are various famous American figures, mostly presidents, but also some non-presidential figures as well. The interviews are very readable, detailed, and informative. As each speaker is a well-known researcher, historian and author of one or more books about the personage they are speaking about, the reader is handed resources to get to know each person further. I found myself quite enjoying the book. Though some subjects interested me more than others, as I went through the book, I developed a sizeable want-to-read list. I do believe that even those who are knowledgeable about American history could easily find something enjoyable in this book, and I’m sure it’s a must-have for readers who enjoy the work of some of the biographers. A real treat to close out the book is an in-person interview with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John G. Roberts, Jr. Whether you’re considering this as a starting point about American historical figures or just thinking of adding the book to an already existing collection of biographies, you cannot go wrong with this delightful volume.

While this book was very dense, it was also very readable. I loved hearing from so many well respected historians, and I learned a considerable amount. Would be great for history class!

I cannot access the file because I have a Chromebook. I’m so sorry.

I cannot access the file because I have a Chromebook. I’m so sorry.

I have to provide stars in order to send this information. I’m sure it would be a hirer review.