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

In revealing conversations with our greatest historians, cofounder of The Carlyle Group and patriotic philanthropist David M. Rubenstein takes listeners on a sweeping journey across the grand arc of the American story.

These lively dialogues present some of the biggest names in American history exploring the subjects they intimately know and understand. You’ll hear live recordings of:

—David McCullough on John Adams
—Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton
—Walter Isaacson on Benjamin Franklin
—Cokie Roberts on Founding Mothers
—Doris Kearns Goodwin on Abraham Lincoln
—A. Scott Berg on Charles Lindbergh
—Jay Winik on Franklin D. Roosevelt and 1944
—Jean Edward Smith on Dwight D. Eisenhower
—Taylor Branch on Martin Luther King
—Bob Woodward on Richard Nixon
—H.W. Brands on Ronald Reagan
—And a special conversation with Chief Justice John Roberts

Through his popular program The David Rubenstein Show, David Rubenstein has established himself as one of today’s most thoughtful interviewers. Now, in The American Story, David shares almost a dozen interviews that capture the brilliance of today’s most esteemed historians, as well as the souls of their subjects. The audiobook presents archival recordings of these interviews and features new introductions by Rubenstein as well as a foreword by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first African American to lead our national library.

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.