The American Story

Conversations with Master Historians

By: David M. Rubenstein, Carla Hayden - introduction

Narrated by: David M. Rubenstein, David McCullough, Walter Isaacson, Ron Chernow, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Taylor Branch, A. Scott Berg, Cokie Roberts, Jay Winik, Jean Edward Smith, Bob Woodward, H.W. Brands, Carla Hayden

Cofounder of The Carlyle Group, patriotic philanthropist, and bestselling author of The American Experiment 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.

very pleasurable and enlightening

great interviews with leading authors of biographies of remarkable Americans. if you enjoy history and biographical literature you will love this book

Amazing interviews

If there's a complaint to be had about these interviews, it's that they're too short and cover quickly what could use many more hours to fully appreciate the topics presented.

The audio quality as Rubinstein mentions is less than desired in one of the interviews, but even that interview is perfectly understandable. The subjects are exciting times in U.S. history, and the interviewees are entertaining, smart, and provide great anecdotes to humanize and personalize their historical subjects. Highly recommend!

Great Interviewees

The various authors spoke in-depth about how much their subject contributed to different eras of American history. The banter between the interviewer and interviewee was fun and conversational.
However, the author introduces each person in a monotoned way, making me want to fast forward to the interview. I also wish the interviewer would let his subjects complete their thoughts before interrupting them with the next question. Very Chris Matthews-esque.

A great story

A wonderful book that I found to be developmental and maturative for a young man coming of age such as myself. I found great relation with the author and I highly recommend this book.

A must read/listen for people who truly love our country

This book is a rare chance to hear from some of the nation’s most gifted historians speaking on some of its most important citizens, leaders and issues.

I sincerely hope there is a volume two in the near future.