The mixed-lettuce salad did not come into fashion in the United States until the early 19th century, when the "French salad" became one of many Continental airs that ambitious Americans affected.

They also know how we love come-from-behind victories: so "Looking for Richard" becomes the story of hardy, ambitious Americans who take on a powerful Old World and come out winners.

Anecdotal evidence also suggests that young ambitious Americans may be headed overseas - to China, India, emerging economies and other places to pursue economic opportunity.

There was a time a century or so ago when talented and ambitious Americans, particularly those who wished to pursue careers at the frontiers of science and technology, went abroad to Germany and England for their studies and training.

It tells the story of Joe Chapin, an ambitious American who desires to become President, along with those of his patrician wife, two rebellious children, and mistress.

Indeed, one of the most direct violations of any agreement between two countries recently can be attributed not to double-crossing Communists but to politically ambitious Americans.

But at the same time, New York is also one of the world's great population magnets, both for foreign immigrants and for ambitious native-born Americans in fields as diverse as finance and theater, television and accounting and, most recently, computer technology.

"Rap Éire" was a satire following the story of an ambitious American who finds himself mixed up with a group of political types during the throes of early Celtic Tiger fervour.

Service in that war gave a whole generation of ambitious and talented Americans a taste for public service and power, which neatly fit America's role as the pre-eminent world power on the devastated stage of postwar Europe and Asia.

Why some ambitious Americans emigrate, and how the U.S. could ensure that hard work pays off.