A Trip to Madison
My ongoing state capitol tour project brings me to Madison, Wisc., with plenty of history along the way.
The Great Contradiction by Joseph J. Ellis
In The Great Contradiction, Joseph J. Ellis examines the contradictions of the American founding, from slavery and the treatment of Native Americans to the ideals of liberty and equality that shaped the new nation.
9/11: 25th Anniversary
Reflecting on the 25th anniversary of 9/11
The First American by H.W. Brands
H.W. Brands explores Benjamin Franklin’s life in The First American, from his early years in Philadelphia and scientific pursuits to diplomacy, revolution, and his final years.
Back to Lincoln’s Springfield
A long-overdue return to Springfield, Illinois, with visits to the Lincoln Home, Lincoln Tomb, Old State Capitol, State Capitol, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Patrick Henry: Champion of Liberty by Jon Kukla
Jon Kukla’s definitive biography restores Patrick Henry to his proper place among the Founding Fathers while confronting the contradictions behind his legacy.
Lake Ontario Is Not Donald Trump’s to Rename
Donald Trump wants to rename Lake Ontario while escalating a destructive trade war with Canada. The Great Lakes aren’t his to rename—and neither are American consumers’ wallets.
Pete Hegseth Has Mistaken Cruelty for Strength
Pete Hegseth’s attack on transgender Americans reveals just how far cruelty has replaced competence and leadership in this administration.
King Hancock by Brooke Barbier
Brooke Barbier’s King Hancock offers a compelling portrait of John Hancock, a complicated patriot whose moderation proved to be one of his greatest political strengths.
The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff
Stacy Schiff’s The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams offers a revealing portrait of the Founding Father whose political activism helped turn colonial resistance into a movement for independence.
The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton by Andrew Porwancher
Andrew Porwancher’s The Jewish World of Alexander Hamilton offers a fascinating reassessment of Hamilton’s Jewish upbringing and his relationship with America’s Jewish community.
Democrats Need To Listen When Trans People Say They’re Wrong
Democrats should listen to transgender people instead of embracing transphobic right-wing talking points.
Trans Rights are Human Rights
No one’s identity or humanity should be up for debate. A personal essay on trans rights, Jewish community, and resilience.
American Patriarch: The Life of George Washington by H.W. Brands
A look at Washington’s rise from Virginia planter to Revolutionary commander and the nation’s first president.
A Stone Broadside Is on Display in Chicago
The nearly 200-year-old engraving became the basis for virtually every modern reproduction of the Declaration of Independence.
The Reflecting Pool Reflects a Different Story
The latest draining of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool reveals something officials didn’t spend weeks talking about: tire tracks.
American Maccabee: Theodore Roosevelt and the Jews by Andrew Porwancher
Andrew Porwancher’s American Maccabee offers a new perspective on Theodore Roosevelt through his relationship with Jewish Americans, revealing a legacy defined by both advocacy and contradiction.
A Perfect Coincidence by Jim Rasenberger
Jim Rasenberger examines the extraordinary friendship, rivalry, reconciliation, and lasting legacy of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy
Kostya Kennedy revisits Paul Revere’s midnight ride with fresh research, revealing the people and events behind one of America's defining moments.
If You Hate the Democratic Party, Don’t Run as a Democrat
Jaime Harrison’s blunt assessment of the DSA’s relationship with the Democratic Party is exactly right.
