They Made America: From the Steam Engine to the Search Engine - Two Centuries of Innovators

by Harold Evans, Gail Buckland, David Lefer

An illustrated history of American innovators -- some well known, some unknown, and all fascinating -- by the author of the bestselling The American Century.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Business, Biography, American History, Technology, Economics

Audiobook

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Harold Evans is an English-born journalist and writer who was editor of the Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981. A graduate of Durham University, he has written a number of bestselling histories. He followed the late Alistair Cooke in commentaries on America for the BBC. An American citizen since 1993, he has held positions as editor-in-chief of the Atlantic Monthly Press, founding editor of the prize-winning Conde Nast Traveler; editorial director of the Atlantic and US News and the New York Daily News; and president and publisher of Random House. He holds the British Press Awards' Gold Award for Lifetime Achievement of Journalists. In 2001 British journalists voted him the all-time greatest British newspaper editor, and in 2004 he was knighted. Since 2011, he has been editor-at-large for Reuters.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read by the author, this was an interesting listen about various men who not only invented a well used/known product but revolutionized America by aiding in its incorporation - a distinction the author says that divides the inventors from the innovators.

While I thought the biographies selected were great, I would rather have had less information included about some of the men’s seedy lives and a more focused look at their accomplishments and innovations.

Speaking of focused, I’ve recently come across an awesome podcast called “Founders” and find it truly inspiring. The guy who does it is so energetic and pulls out the most dynamic, keynote portions of the biographies he reads - listening to it makes we want to start a business or invent something! The podcast on Southwest Airlines is a fantastic one to begin with!

I bring up the podcast to say that perhaps if I hadn’t been listening to it recently, this book wouldn’t be overshadowed as I’m afraid to say it is.

Ages: 16+

Content Considerations: mentions affairs, carousing men, a man with several wives/families (even three in the same city), and a homosexual couple (one of the early America bios). The word d*mn is used a couple of times.

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographical information on a series of innovators that made America an innovation powerhouse. It wasn’t all Steam Engines and Google. The book is fascinating.

The authors explore history along the way.

I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.

[Dan Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very subversive book. The popular myth is that invention is what drives the modern world. That monkish scientists, cloistered in tiny labs, create our wealth and lifestyle. Nothing could be further from reality, as this book demonstrates.

For example, Robert Fulton invented neither the steam engine nor the paddle wheel. But he was the first to start a working steamboat service on the Hudson River. The fact that his working model was developed while on holiday with another man's wife just makes the story spicy. I don't recall that fact from my history books!

The point is that it is INNOVATION that improves our world. It is people applying ideas, usually someone else's ideas, in a practical way. Modern conveniences were developed by a combination of serendipity, sweat, and naked greed. It isn't love of "pure" science that drives men to work all hours of the night trying to figure out how to thread a needle. It is a desire to be the first to market and make the most money.

Thomas Edison is considered to be America's greatest inventor. But he wasn't some holy man living on a Himalayan mountaintop. His innovation was to systematize invention to create a dependable stream of ideas that could be sold on the mass market. In other words, he wanted to make money. Apple has done nothing except emulate him.

The subversive part is that this contradicts the entire premise behind government-enforced patents. We need patents, we are told, to protect the nerdy scientist who is clueless about how the real world works and needs government protection of the income streams from his inventions so that he will keep churning out science. Otherwise he would neglect the test tubes in his tiny, dank lab. This story is false because no such "scientist" exists. Useful ideas don't come from "pure" science. They come from people trying to find practical solutions to real problems, most often with the goal of earning Scrooge McDuck-size piles of money. All patents do is impede the flow of ideas so necessary for innovation to occur (it usually requires several people working together for the ideas to really germinate), slow improvements in our world, and keep lawyers employed. In fact, the sewing machine industry nearly sank under a pile of suits and countersuits filed by the various "inventors" until they finally agreed to drop all patent claims simultaneously.

The book suffers from a meander through some black lady's world (not clear what her innovation was). It also spends time on Barbie (she looks the way she does for a reason). And Ted Turner's story is interesting - his business skills cannot be doubted but he feels the need to share WHERE he was when he realized that CNN had totally defeated its competitors.

So read the book. Learn the stories that don't follow the predetermined historical narrative that came from my high school history textbook.

[Sivaram Velauthapillai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the review for the audio version of this book, which I believe it is abbreviated so not sure what is missing. Overall, well worth checking out this book for anyone interested in business/economic history.

The book covers numerous advancements made by Americans over the last few centuries. Most readers, including me, would have read books/articles on most of the inventions/developments made by America so some may think the book doesn't offer much. But I was pleasantly surprised to read about topics or details that aren't widely discussed.

I think one of the strengths of this book is that it covers a diverse set of inventions/advancements over several hundred years; it doesn't focus on specific time period or type of invention. If you are looking for highly detailed background on inventions, this book probably isn't for you (each topic is only around 10 pages long). Some may not like this, almost random short, coverage but I like it.

This is the type of book that will expand your knowledge horizon. For instance, in addition to the important, but widely covered, revolutions such as Edison's light bulb/electricity and the intercontinental railroad, the book touches on topics such as the Colt revolver (gun), CNN (all-news cable news), and Ebay (online shopping site). Most people may know quite a bit about Google but how many know much about Ebay? I have read about railroads in the 1800's before but didn't know much about the Colt revolver (which played a big, albeit brutal, part in the 1800's).

If you want a gain a cursory understanding of major American inventions over the last few hundread years, you can't go wrong with this book.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Innovators, not inventors, although some innovators are inventors too. Innovators are the ones that can take a new idea and make something of it (Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Ted Turner, etc). This book is about a diverse group of innovators, in all areas, from powered flight to venture capital, credit ratings to MRI's, and what got them to where their innovation was recognized. This book gives you the history of these innovators and the people around them (both the good and the bad parts of their history) as well as a little bit of the innovation that they were behind. There is a lot of information here, be prepared for a lot of reading, but it is very interesting stuff, and written in a way that you can put it down for a while and pick it back up again with no problem.

[Predrag Ilić · Rating 5 out of 5]

*They Made America* is an incredibly compelling journey through the lives and achievements of the innovators who shaped the United States and, by extension, the modern world. Harold Evans masterfully captures the essence of innovation, from the industrial revolution to the digital age, bringing to life the remarkable people who built industries, created inventions, and transformed society. The narrative weaves a fascinating tapestry of visionaries, entrepreneurs, and dreamers whose stories are rich with challenges, triumphs, and, often, revolutionary change.

Evans doesn’t just chronicle events—he dives deep into the personalities, the failures, the relentless perseverance, and the burning desire to make a difference. From Samuel Morse and his telegraph to Steve Jobs and the Apple revolution, the book highlights how the perseverance of individuals pushed the boundaries of what was once thought impossible. The chapters on each innovator provide not only insights into their accomplishments but also a look at the risks and sacrifices they made to bring their ideas to life.

What stands out in this book is its inspiration. It’s hard not to finish reading and not feel energized, motivated, and deeply connected to the idea of innovation. It serves as a reminder that the world as we know it was built by those who dared to dream and take action, against all odds. It reminds me of the kind of person I want to be: someone whose ideas can leave a lasting mark on the world.

In fact, reading *They Made America* has left me with a burning desire to be part of that next wave of innovators. I’d love to be one of those people, someone who doesn’t just witness history, but actively shapes it. The book isn’t just a look into the past—it’s a call to action for anyone who dreams of changing the world for the better.

This book is a must-read for anyone who’s ever been inspired by the stories of visionaries or anyone who hopes to become one.

[Wayland Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focusing on several people who definitely made changes in the world, this book really focuses on the difference between invention, creating something new, and innovation, adapting something to make it actually useable and useful. Of course, some did both in this collection of biographical sketches of some names you know, and some you don't but probably should.

Among those who get their stories told are Sam Colt, of pistol fame; Samuel B. Morse, who made the telegraph actually workable and along the way created the code that bears his name; Thomas Alva Edison, inventor and innovator of many things; Robert Fulton, who made steam powered travel actually work; and many more. It was interesting hearing about people managed to make changes to the country from nearly its beginning to the modern day (Ebay, CNN, SeaLand). For the most part, both the good and bad in the various people's lives are examined, although a lot of what I've heard about Edison got skipped.

When there's a book read by the author, there can be some concern about the delivery and skill level. Evans does a fine job narrating the book and gives some great deliveries.

I definitely learned a lot listening to this one.

[Peacejanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

By accident, I found this book. Someone had put it in the discard box (thrift store, recycle, etc.) in my condominium library. Residents leave books in the return/gift basket and I get to sort them. We have no checkout system - want a book, take a book. When Uncle Hugh or Aunt Sally die, people often clear out their books by putting them in the clubhouse basket. This is a huge book, 9x11 inches, 496 pages, giving information and usually photos of all the famous inventors that made my country great. From the steam engine to Fred Smith who started Federal Express, there are hundreds of inventors listed. The book was fascinating for me - who has never cared much for history or the history of inventions. If you come across this book, it is well worth reading. I know that it must have cost a fortune; unfortunately, the paper cover is missing so I can not even guess at a price. It was published in 2004 by Little Brown. If you come across this book, grab it, read it and pass it on to one of the younger generation. Fantastic!!

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative account of innovators and how they achieved success. Some of the innovators were also inventors, but most were not. Some of the individuals who we’re familiar with, such as Eli Whitney, are famous for what they invented, but their more influential impact is what we aren’t often taught. In the case of Whitney, his cotton gin is secondary to his innovations in mechanization and interchangeably of parts.

Some chapters get quite detailed in the work of the innovator being covered and the reader may space out in the technicalities being described. What keeps the reader engaged are the challenges most of the innovators faced: backstabbers, patent thievery, disbelief in their work or vision, shortage of money and difficulty in getting funding.

A weakness in the book is the minimal inclusion of women and minority innovators. There are some women and African Americans included, but there are just a few because as the author writes in his introduction, “the history of innovation is light on them.” The stories of women and minority innovators is remains to be written. The narratives of those included in this book show the prejudices of their times.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give it a 4 for content but 3 for readability. The early chapters read like a history encyclopedia but the later chapters, which focused more on technology, read more like a science textbook. Overall, I learned some new things - like there was at least as much technology theft as cooperative inventions and innovations. Kind of a slog to read and overly detailed, like a textbook.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me realize that we take for granted all the technological innovations around us. Many of the things that we are so used to enjoying everyday are made possible only through a lot of struggle and Sacrifice by very determined people.

[Lindalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book, which was shortened. I was interested in how and why the inventions were made and then applied to become major benefits to the public. A recurring theme was the tenacity of the inventors and the price they paid in their personal lives.

[Lukasz]

recommendation: [Top Five Books for Research on Social Class - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuBya...)

[Lynn Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent non-fiction. Well researched. America's innovators, all kinds. Very long to read but fascinating and interesting. I suggest a talking book.

[Max Patiiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice!
Didn't know about most of these people.
Would have loved for this book to be 3-4 times longer.

[Kimball Ungerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read, interesting and inspiring. The publisher wrote: The flourishing of America is the story of an inventive people with a mystic faith in technology, from the early settlers who used windmills as a way of getting water on the Great Plains to the electronic whiz kids of the Internet. Innovation, practical inventiveness, is the main force behind America's preeminence. But there is more to this extraordinary history. Harold Evans traces how the innovators have time and again proved to be democratizers, driven not by greed but by an ambition to be remembered. They translated the nation's political ideals into economic reality.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I didn't read all of this book, but it's set up in a case-study type format, so you don't really need to. It was really interesting to read about how certain businesses and institutions, like Sesame Street, came into being. Some really interesting perspectives on ingenuity in general. Recommended to me by a neighbor who is a business professor. A really interesting read. I guess to be honest, it should be on my read and to-read lists!

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't get past the second CD. Perhaps my expectations were too high? Perhaps it just doesn't work well for commuting? Perhaps I should have skipped the transcontinental railroad and gone straight to the more recent innovations? I don't know, but I just could not stay focused on this book. Especially not when I had Prodigal Summer sitting in my passenger seat, just waiting for its turn. Maybe that's not fair, but I don't regret the decision.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite non-fiction book! Harold Evans profiles 50 of the greatest innovators this country has ever seen. The genius and spirit found in all of these is sorely needed today. This should be required reading in high school, college, and anybody working for the government. These men made America great.

[Ben Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coffee table book. It's got stories of a variety of different inventors. I checked it out from the library only for the Sam Insull chapter -- it was great. A short bio of an amazing man. Highly recommended. Lower star rating because it's not a book to take on a plane/in a backpack and had other stories that didn't interest me.

[Stuart Bobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anybody pursuing a career that will involve intellectual property should read this book. Anybody attempting patent reform should read this book. Anybody wanting to understand why some of the best technologies never quite made it or why the second mouse got the cheese, as it were, should read this book.

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think of it as The Rest of the Story for the New Yorker set.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent history of innovation in America.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome bedtime reading book for parents with big kids.

[Will Sync · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corporate crime and thief's are alive and well... same as it ever was.

[daniel dirnfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most interesting book

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't grab me. It is a little dry for my taste.

[David]

Won't read this straight through -- a sip and dip book. Very heavy and awkward, too.