Our American Stories

On this episode of Our American Stories , here’s Stephen Ambrose to tell us a short story from The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys who Flew the B-24s Over Germany.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , even before the U.S./British victory in the North African campaign in May 1943, there was disagreement among the Allies on the best strategy to defeat the Axis. Eventually the U.S. and British political leadership reached a compromise in which both would commit most of their forces to an invasion of France in early 1944, but also launch a relatively small-...

On this episode of Our American Stories , you’ve heard Christopher Klein tell the story of “How Johnny Carson Saved Twister” and how Mark Twain helped Ulysses S. Grant complete his memoir that saved his wife from destitution. Here’s Chris with the story of how Abraham Lincoln used the telegraph to help win the Civil War.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the sho...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Mark Metcalf from Animal House shares his story.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , John Wooden compiled the greatest legacy of any coach in history. How he defined success was unique and central to his philosophy. This story is told by Coach Wooden himself, his family, friends, and players.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener...

On this episode of Our American Stories , let’s take a listen to The History Guy as he tells the history of the Bible.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , Lee Habeeb tells the story of how "Georgia On My Mind" came to be, and how it became a song the world would come to know and love.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , with plenty of land came plenty of opportunity for experimentation. Bill McClay, the author of Land of Hope, walks us through these planned "utopias", how they failed, and why that matters for us today.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the story of how one childless married couple of 13 years became a family of 9, literally overnight. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , Andrew Thompson shares another slice of his guide to understanding the baffling mini-mysteries of the English language. The book is Hair of the Dog to Paint the Town Red: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions and Fun Phrases. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in 1984, during a period of Cold War tension, a Soviet submarine collided with a United States aircraft carrier. Here’s The History Guy with the story of the USS Kitty Hawk collision. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , here’s Texas listener Tim Hennessey with his heath journey story.   Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , in six hours, Master Sergeant Roy Benavidez saved 8-plus men while enduring 7 major gunshot wounds, 28 shrapnel wounds, and major bayonet slash wounds. Hear his Medal of Honor story from President Reagan and the man himself. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystud...

On this episode of Our American Stories , two enemies: One led Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor; the other was an American Doolittle Raider who bombed Tokyo. Here to tell the story is Carol Aiko DeShazer Dixon—the daughter of Doolittle Raider Jacob DeShazer. She is the author of Return of the Raider: A Doolittle Raider’s Story of War & Forgiveness.  Support the show (https://www.ouramer...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Ed Stilley was plowing his field when he had a heart attack—and a vision. God told him that if he made and gave away musical instruments to children, he'd see his family would be taken care of. There was only one problem....Ed had never made a musical instrument in his life.  Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: ht...

On this episode of Our American Stories , in the second installment of our series, author and professor Bill McClay recounts the Puritans' vision to build their "Eden in the Wilderness." His book is Land of Hope. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , Lex Ginger was told from a young age that she probably would never have children, so she was shocked when she got pregnant. Some questioned her decision to celebrate this pregnancy that had only a 50% chance of survival. Here she is with her incredible story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramer...

On this episode of Our American Stories , listener Brent Timmons shares the story of a lesson in risk that his son learned while riding his bike. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , our next story was made into a 2014 motion picture directed by Angelina Jolie and based on the 2010 non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. While some of the most remarkable parts of Zamperini’s story were left out of the film, you will be hearing them told now by the man himself. Suppo...

On this episode of Our American Stories , as big freighters go, she was bigger than most with a crew and captain well seasoned...but on November 10th, 1975 she and her 29 man crew were sent to the bottom of Lake Superior. Ric Mixter of Lake Fury tells the story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.c...

On this episode of Our American Stories , English historian Andrew Roberts shares the story of this remarkable world leader. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , John Moses Browning invented the mechanism used in virtually all modern pistols, created the most popular hunting rifles and shotguns, and conceived the machine guns introduced in World War I. Here's his story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listene...

On this episode of Our American Stories , Joy Neal Kidney shares her uncle, Donald Wilson's, war story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Our American Stories , Cubby Hall has been a mayor, a garbage woman, a liquor store owner, a pioneer in the Women's Army Corps (WAC), and a teacher in a one-room school house. In her words, she's "seen it all." Here's her story. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for...

On this episode of Our American Stories , the true story of the invention of Crayola crayons! Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.