[Theodore R.]

In 1995, Dr. Ambrose started a one-man push to "draft" Colin Powell for the 1996 Republican presidential nomination. After a number of weeks, Mr. Powell declined to run. At the time Ambrose, who called himself an "independent," said he was unconcerned about "ideology" but only about "leadership."

In the past year his reputation was shattered by revelations that parts of his works had been plagiarized, a charge also hurled against fellow historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

In that he died from lung cancer, I wonder if he had been a heavy smoker.

Dr. Ambrose had the ability to write complicated history in a way that the average reader could understand and relate to the overall picture. He had much success as a professor and author and will be widely missed. May he rest in peace.

[Colonel_Flagg]

In the past year his reputation was shattered by revelations that parts of his works had been plagiarized, a charge also hurled against fellow historian Doris Kearns Goodwin.

I wouldn't necessarily say his reputation was "destroyed", though he did have to deal with some truly adverse publicity over the attribution of a small part of his work as mentioned elsewhere on this thread.

I agree fully with your assessment of his work, however. His work with the national D-Day museum and on behalf of the written historical record regarding the American soldier in World War II are priceless gifts to history.