Author: Stephen E. Ambrose

Known for his many popular books on American history, Stephen Edward Ambrose (1936–2002) was born in Lovington, Illinois. After traveling throughout the country while his father served during World War II, Ambrose spent most of his childhood in Wisconsin and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. Later he moved to Louisiana State University to obtain his master’s and then returned to Wisconsin for his doctoral studies. After leaving school, he taught history at the University of New Orleans for 30 years. In 1964, Ambrose was commissioned to write the official biography of former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, resulting in Eisenhower: Soldier and President (1970). Over the course of his career, Ambrose published numerous other histories, most notably his account of the 101st Airborne’s “Easy” Company during World War II, which later inspired the 2001 miniseries Band of Brothers

Night on the Line from Citizen Soldiers

Stephen E. Ambrose
American historian Stephen E. Ambrose (1936–2002) gained fame for his popular histories, which often focused on stories of ordinary soldiers in times of war. This selection provides a vivid account of the nighttime experience of combat soldiers on the front lines in the European theater of World War II.