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Stephen Ambrose Quotes

Powerful Stephen Ambrose for Daily Growth

About Stephen Ambrose

Stephen E. Ambrose (1936-2002) was an American historian, professor, and author renowned for his insightful works on 20th-century American history, particularly World War II. Born in Liberty, Missouri, on February 10, 1936, he spent most of his youth in Carlinville, Illinois. Ambrose's interest in history was ignited at an early age by a sixth-grade teacher who encouraged him to write about the Lewis and Clark Expedition for a school project. Ambrose pursued his passion for history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1958. He continued his education at Wisconsin, completing both a master's (1960) and a Ph.D. (1963) in American History. During this time, Ambrose was greatly influenced by the works of Allan Nevins, who instilled in him a deep appreciation for oral history. After teaching at the University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University, Ambrose joined the history faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1967. In 1982, he moved to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he remained until his retirement in 1993. Ambrose gained widespread acclaim for his bestselling works on World War II, including "D-Day: June 6, 1944" (1965), "Band of Brothers" (1992), and "Citizen Soldiers" (1997). His most influential work, "Unbroken" (1998), which chronicled the life of Louis Zamperini, was adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 2014. Throughout his career, Ambrose combined extensive research, interviews, and storytelling to create captivating narratives that brought history alive for millions of readers. Stephen E. Ambrose passed away on October 13, 2002. His legacy as a prolific historian and skilled author continues to inspire new generations of historians and enthusiasts alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"History does not repeat itself, but it does instruct."

This quote implies that while exact historical events may never reoccur, the lessons learned from those events are valuable for understanding and navigating future situations. It suggests that studying history can provide insights, wisdom, and warnings that help us make informed decisions in our own time. The emphasis is on applying historical knowledge to current circumstances rather than expecting a literal repetition of past events.

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die."

This quote suggests that courage, paradoxically, lies in the simultaneous desire for life and willingness to give it up. In other words, true courage is acting boldly in the face of danger or adversity, not out of fear, but out of a deep-seated love for life that transcends personal safety. This quote emphasizes that courage isn't just about being fearless, but rather about making a conscious decision to stand up for what you believe in, even if it means risking your life to do so.

"Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control."

This quote emphasizes that effective leadership is about instilling confidence in followers through one's actions and demeanor. It suggests that a leader who remains calm and composed in the face of adversity creates an atmosphere of control, which, in turn, empowers their team to feel secure and confident. In essence, the quote implies that a good leader's reaction sets the tone for the group, allowing them to believe they are also capable of handling challenges effectively.

"History is more or less a nationalist's dream."

This quote suggests that history, as it is often presented, tends to favor the perspective, ideals, or achievements of one nation or people over others. In essence, history can be distorted to serve the narrative of nationalism - an ideology emphasizing loyalty and devotion to a nation. This interpretation implies a call for greater objectivity in historical scholarship, encouraging us to examine events from multiple perspectives rather than through a narrow lens of national pride or interest.

"The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know."

This quote by Stephen Ambrose emphasizes that while there may be novel experiences or discoveries, our understanding of them is always grounded in the past. Knowledge of history provides context and perspective to appreciate the present and predict the future. In essence, every moment is a blend of continuity (history) and change (the new), highlighting the importance of studying history to fully comprehend the world around us.

Who today is willing to say that Texas and California and the remainder of the Southwest would be better off if they were governed by Mexico?

- Stephen Ambrose

Say, Better Off, Southwest, Mexico

In 1945, there were more people killed, more buildings destroyed, more high explosives set off, more fires burning than before or since.

- Stephen Ambrose

Before, Set, More People, Fires

Andrew Johnson was a Southerner generally who proclaimed that his native state of Tennessee was a country for white men.

- Stephen Ambrose

Country, Southerner, Johnson, Tennessee

The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future.

- Stephen Ambrose

Love, Future, Past, Implies

I've always tried to be fair to my subjects. That's easy when they are as likable and admirable as Lewis and Clark, or Eisenhower.

- Stephen Ambrose

Always, Subjects, Admirable, Lewis And Clark

It would not be possible to praises nurses too highly.

- Stephen Ambrose

Medical, Would, Too, Nurses

Eisenhower is my choice as the American of the 20th Century. Of all the men I've studied and written about, he is the brightest and the best.

- Stephen Ambrose

American, About, Studied, Brightest

Johnson had been the most powerful man in the world, yet the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong had resisted, overcome his power, broken his will.

- Stephen Ambrose

Broken, Will, Been, Vietnamese

Almost everything Truman did in foreign affairs I approve of.

- Stephen Ambrose

Almost Everything, Almost, Foreign Affairs

I was taught by professors who had done their schooling in the 1930s. Most of them were scornful of, even hated, big business.

- Stephen Ambrose

Business, Big, 1930s, Big Business

I thought Nixon was the worst President we had ever had, save only perhaps Andrew Johnson.

- Stephen Ambrose

Perhaps, Ever, Nixon, Andrew

World War II, the atomic bomb, the Cold War, made it hard for Americans to continue their optimism.

- Stephen Ambrose

War, Optimism, Made, Cold War

Nixon regarded himself as having been cheated by life. He never got my vote.

- Stephen Ambrose

Never, Himself, Been, Cheated

Neither Johnson nor his party nor the government as a whole were willing to raise, train, equip, and then send Vietnam sufficient manpower to do the job.

- Stephen Ambrose

Vietnam, Willing, Whole, Train

There are many more want-to-be writers out there than good editors.

- Stephen Ambrose

More, Than, Writers, Editors

The Canadians have managed to live peacefully with their Indians. It is disgrace that the United States has not done the same.

- Stephen Ambrose

Same, United, United States, Canadians

Trial by jury. Live wherever you can make a living. How could a government based on such principles fail?

- Stephen Ambrose

Living, Jury, Based, Wherever

American corporations hate to give away money.

- Stephen Ambrose

Money, Give, Away, Corporations

The great wars of the 20th Century made it into the worst Century ever.

- Stephen Ambrose

Made, Ever, Century, 20th Century

The war in Vietnam I thought a dreadful mistake.

- Stephen Ambrose

War, Mistake, Thought, Dreadful

Eisenhower had the clearest blue eyes. He would fix them on you. In my every interview with him, he would lock his eyes on to mine and keep them there.

- Stephen Ambrose

Blue Eyes, Mine, Clearest, Interview

Dams have harmed our wildlife and made rivers less useful for recreation.

- Stephen Ambrose

Rivers, Made, Harmed, Dams

Reading your own material aloud forces you to listen.

- Stephen Ambrose

Own, Forces, Material, Aloud

Writing is not the easiest way to make a living. Your work long hours, usually all by yourself. It is not a way to make money.

- Stephen Ambrose

Work, Living, Hours, Easiest Way

Washington and Jefferson were both rich Virginia planters, but they were never friends.

- Stephen Ambrose

Never, Jefferson, Were, Virginia

Winning the Revolutionary War, or the Civil War, or World War II were the turning points in our history, the sine qua non of our forward progress.

- Stephen Ambrose

Winning, Forward, Civil War, Turning Points

Immigrants do more than help us win our wars, or set up cleaning shops or ethnic restaurants.

- Stephen Ambrose

Cleaning, Ethnic, Set, Immigrants

Even before Watergate and his resignation, Nixon had inspired conflicting and passionate emotions.

- Stephen Ambrose

Conflicting, His, Nixon, Watergate

Washington's character was rock solid. He came to stand for the new nation and its republican virtues, which was why he became our first President by unanimous choice.

- Stephen Ambrose

New, Which, Became, President

My favorite book is the last one printed, which is always better than those that were published earlier.

- Stephen Ambrose

Always, Last, Which, Published

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