Transgender Americans Are Not Political Pawns
A personal experience of transphobia, the 14th Amendment, and the politicians turning transgender Americans into election-year targets.
James Monroe: A Life by Tim McGrath
Tim McGrath’s James Monroe: A Life explores the fifth president’s life and legacy through extensive primary sources, examining his role in shaping the early republic, advancing American foreign policy, and confronting the enduring contradictions of slavery.
The Forsaken Founder by Scott S. Greenberger
Scott S. Greenberger’s The Forsaken Founder revisits Gouverneur Morris, a consequential Founding Father whose contributions to the Constitution and the early republic have largely faded from public memory.
The Lost Founder by Jesse Wegmen
Jesse Wegman’s The Lost Founder revisits the life and legacy of James Wilson, a largely forgotten Founding Father whose contributions to the Constitution, the presidency, and the Supreme Court helped shape American democracy.
Andrew Jackson‘s Hermitage and the Tennessee State Capitol
A long-overdue visit to Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, a tour of the Tennessee State Capitol, and walking through downtown Nashville.
Benjamin Harrison: The Hoosier President
A day in Indianapolis exploring the Indiana Statehouse, Benjamin Harrison’s home, and Crown Hill Cemetery, where Harrison and three vice presidents are buried.
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.
