Stephen Ambrose, A.K.A. "Farm Boy", wasn't always an author and even in his peak only did it in his free time, yet he is considered the best historical author of the 20th century by many.
             Growing up on a farm in Wisconsin, Ambrose was hardly ever exposed to books or other literature. He was home-schooled until he was 16 and finally had the chance to attend the University of Wisconsin when he was 17. While there, he earned his bachelors degree, but most importantly met William Hesseltine. After taking a course titled Representative Americans with him, Ambrose said that he was changed for life. Professor Hesseltine taught him everything from how not to use adverbs to avoiding the use of chronology. The two became great friends and kept in touch for years after Ambrose graduated. Now having his bachelor's degree in hand, Ambrose moved to Louisiana to earn his Masters degree at Louisiana State University. While there, he studied under Harry Williams, who also taught him values of writing. After completing his Masters in 1958, he moved back to his home state and re-enrolled at the University of Wisconsin to earn his Ph.D. Immediately after receiving that, he became a full time college professor. This is what he would do for the next 35 years at schools around the country and even many in Europe. Some of the schools that he taught at include University of New Orleans, Rutgers, Kansas State, Naval War College, U.C. Berkeley. But during this time, Ambrose focused more on his writing then his teaching.
             Stephen Ambrose absolutely loved history and had the urge to share it with everyone that he could. Ambrose's first book, a biography of General Henry Halleck immediately caught the attention of President Dwight Eisenhower after being published. Eisenhower was so impressed that he called Ambrose and asked him to do some work for him on the side including writing the Eisenhower
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