They Made America

From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine - Two Centuries of Innovators

By: Harold Evans, Gail Buckland, David Lefer

Narrated by: Harold Evans

An illustrated history of American innovators—some well known, some unknown, and all fascinating—by the author of the bestselling The American Century.

The real inventor of the steam engine. The creator of the bra. The man who invented modern banking. The creator of the computer operating system. These and scores of others are the characters who populate Harold Evans's rollicking, brilliant history of the men and women who made America what it is.

Vast and beautifully designed, the book is itself a creation as grand as those it described. Evans reveals the surprising truths behind many of the creations that made our modem world, as well as the lessons we can learn by studying the great entrepreneurs and innovators the past two centuries.

"Terrific and inspiring stories about the dreamers and doers who dared to create the modem face of this great nation." —Jac Wech

Liked it, even abridged

As an entrepreneur, I appreciate stories of those who have gone before me to create new markets despite adversity. The author presents an interesting perspective on American entrepreneurs and narrates a compelling set of stories.

Fascinating

Fascinating--who knew? This should be a class room standard.

Great Stories Well Told

This is the best book yet if you enjoy being inspired by stories of innovation and invention. An amazing walk through history, Evan's writing offers great insight into the genius and 'can do' smarts of these American icons. I especially enjoy the personal details that reveal the type of character that could take these inventions beyond tinkering to have a lasting effect on all of us. Just the right amount of information too. Hearing it in the author's voice makes it all the better, as he gets the emphasis right and his style is to move swiftly through the details and punctuate the brilliance of each story. It's great listening. I think my iPod toting teenagers will enjoy it too.

Well Narrated, a lite and quick read

I enjoyed this book, and was very happy with the narrator. Obviously if you want great, in-depth detail on the various innovators you are going to need to do considerably more reading than this book can provide. But as quick overview with a nicely diverse group of people presented, it worked. My Compliments.

Too Abridged

Need more content. Like the airlines, aviation and automotive industries. It did say abridged but this is really an incomplete summary. If the original and complete version is available, I would like to trade.