World War II, the atomic bomb, the Cold War, made it hard for Americans to continue their optimism.
Stephen AmbroseWinning 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 AmbroseAs to the Indians, the guiding principle was, promise them anything just so long as they get out of the way.
Stephen AmbroseTo have some parts flowing free again . . . with deer grazing on its banks . . . ducks and geese raising their young in the backwaters . . . eddies and twists and turns for canoeists . . . and fishing opportunities such as Lewis and Clark enjoyed . . . would be the finest possible tribute to the men of the Expedition, and a priceless gift for our children.
Stephen Ambrose