Chronicler of 'The Greatest Generation' Moves Into the Wild Blue

Sad news yesterday of the passing of historian/author Dr. Stephen E. Ambrose. Ambrose was probably more responsible than any other for the renewed interest in World War II in recent years through his many popular books (The Wild Blue, The Good Fight, Citizen Soldiers, D-Day, Band of Brothers, Pegasus Bridge) and his founding of the National D-Day Museum in New Orleans. Ambrose was particularly interested in the stories of the individual American soldiers, sailors, and airmen and focused his work on their recollections. Last year he was stung by allegations of plagiarism and he has been criticized for "simplifying and selling history" by other "more serious" historians. While I have only read two of his books (Band of Brothers and Citizen Soldiers) I found them to be engaging and entertaining and anyone able to broaden the audience for history should be lauded. RIP.