Great Minds of History

Television reporter Roger Mudd conducted interviews historians: Gordon Wood (American Revolution); James McPherson (Civil War); Richard White (The West); David McCullough (period between the Civil War and WWI); Stephen Ambrose (WWI, Eisenhower and Nixon). This wasn't so much a book as a performance, rather a series of them. As you can see, some of the authors have specialties that enable first hand knowledge. I liked those best. I was disappointed that this book is not really a book, but a prerecorded series of TV shows by the History channel. Regardless, the information was good and the opinions informative.

Television reporter Roger Mudd conducted interviews with the following historians: Gordon Wood (American Revolution); James McPherson (Civil War); Richard White (The West); David McCullough (period between the Civil War and WWI); Stephen Ambrose (WWI, Eisenhower and Nixon).

The interviews were edited down for the book. It seems like these may have run in full on television.

David McCullough's section really covers his career and books with a discussion of the importance of and teaching of history. You can hear his voice when reading his responses. His these are reiterated in many of his more recent talks and interviews. Richard White's interview seems to meander about and loses focus. Gordon Wood's interview gives a thumbnail look at key show more figures and displays confidence. McPherson's section is broad as his writings reflect. Stephen Ambrose is rigid and quite opininated.

These are uneven but reflect the styles of the writers. show less