Quotes from Stephen E. Ambrose

Thus my friend," Lewis concluded, "you have a summary view of the plan, the means and the objects of this expedition. If therefore there is anything under those circumstances, in this enterprise, which would induce you to participate with me in it's fatiegues, it's dangers and it's honors, believe me there is no man on earth with whom I should feel equal pleasuure in sharing them as with yourself.

To Eisenhower's associates, the men were soldiers; to Eisenhower, they were citizens temporarily caught up in a war none of them wanted, but which they realized was necessary.

Under the circumstances, "a sense of humor and a great faith, or else a complete lack of imagination, are essential to sanity.

May works be the test of patriotism as they ought, of right, to be of religion.

One of these traders brought in some newspapers and translated them for the Oglalas, reading aloud a report that called the Oglalas bloodthirsty savages and murdering hounds of hell. The word hell confused Crazy Horse. What was hell? The trader tried to explain but only confused Crazy Horse more- how could a great power do a bad thing like sending souls to hell?

D-Day was the pivot point of the 20th century. Everything that went before it can be said to have led up to it; all that followed came about because of what happened that day.

the strongest reason of all for the United States [to stay out] is the fact that among all the powerful nations of the world the United States is the only one with a tradition of anti-colonialism. . . . The standing of the United States as the most powerful of the anti-colonial powers is an asset of incalculable value to the Free World

Today, we are the world's only superpower, and around the world - even in Russia - there is nearly virtual agreement that if there is to be only one superpower then thank God Almighty that it is the United States.

There is an irony here. MacArthur, the most political of generals, never succeeded in politics, while three of the most apolitical generals in American history, Washington, Grant, and Eisenhower, did.

There was no room on this new road for Crazy Horse, the greatest warrior of them all. Perhaps Touch-the-Clouds had this in mind as he looked down on those courageous, confused people. It s well, he said quietly, reassuringly. He has looked for death and it has come. The Oglalas filed away, silently, into the night.

They hid, Bos came over the hill, looked puzzled, and Custer let loose with a bullet that whizzed over his brother's head. Bos turned

In the Second World War, if you were going to be conquered and occupied by a foreign army, the last thing you wanted was for it to be the German, Japanese, or Red army. The first thing, around the world, was to hope it would be the American Army. This was because you would be better fed, receive better medical care, treated like a human being.

Hitler insisted on the superiority of the Aryan race, but his closest allies were the Italians, and he accorded the Japanese the dubious accolade of

in the words of the superintendent of public instruction in Indiana, the policy was "to make of all the varieties of population among us, differing as they do in origin, language, habits of thought, modes of action, and social custom, one people, with one common interest."11 The accepted

America is the first democratic nation-state, now more than two and a quarter centuries old. Our greatest triumphs are the 18th century creation of our democratic republic, the 19th century abolishment of slavery and the holding together of our Union, and our 20th century crushing of totalitarianism.

He felt that morale was "the most highly important of any military attribute." It could never be obtained through pampering the men or lowering the standards of discipline to permit easier living, but rather through self-respect, intensive training, and adequate leadership.

can be seen only from small boat or canoe. Put in at Fort Benton and take out three or four days later at Judith Landing. Missouri River Outfitters at Fort Benton, Montana, rents canoes or provides a guided tour by pontoon boat. Of all the historic and/or scenic sights we have visited in the world, this is number one. We have made the trip ten times.

In [Eisenhower's] view, 'Extremes to the right and to the left of any political dispute are always wrong.' In his farewell address as President, he asserted, 'We - you and I, and our government - must avoid plundering for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow. We cannot mortgage the material assets of our grandchildren without risking the loss also of their political and spiritual heritage. We want democracy to survive for all ages to come.

The United States fought Germany and Japan, racist societies, with a segregated army.

I sometimes think the biggest price we pay for war is what might have been.

A tank cannon thrust through a kitchen door really stimulates exodus

To a certain extent," he explained, "a man must merely believe in his luck and figure that a certain amount of good fortune will bless us when the critical day arrives."30 Throughout the war Eisenhower trusted in his luck along with his preparations, and it never failed him.

Dwight Eisenhower, that in war, before the battle is joined, plans are everything, but once the shooting begins, plans are worthless.

I am often asked, "What is the secret to being a successful author?" My reply, always, is: "Marry an English major.