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presidential history



  • The Carter Presidency Wasn't How we Remember It

    by Kai Bird

    While he was pessimistic about the moral quality of politics, a biographer says that the 39th president was capable of ruthless pragmatism that helped him achieve more than he is credited for, though it cost him reelection. 



  • How the Baton is Passed (Review)

    by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

    David Marchick has headed the Partnership for Public Service's Center for Presidential Transition; he is the author of a new book that presents his practical knowledge of what is needed for the transfer of power to run smoothly between one administration and the next. 



  • Steve Knott: Coming to Terms with "Camelot"

    by Tom Nichols

    Tom Nichols interviews presidential historian Steve Knott, who discusses how the JFK legacy has shifted with political trends and how the JFK Library has sometimes put politics over history. 



  • How Long Until We Hear "Madam President"?

    by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

    In the early republic, the perception of ambition was a negative for a political candidate, especially for president. That norm mostly survives today in its application to women candidates. 


  • The Reputation of Presidents Takes a Hit in Their Second Term

    by Ronald L. Feinman

    The 2024 presidential campaign is fast approaching, with speculation rampant about whether Biden should seek a second term. Although his political fortunes have improved recently, the record of second-term presidents might give him pause. 


  • President as Change Agent: Breakers vs. Builders

    by Michael A. Genovese

    While Joe Biden has recently enjoyed policy successes that point toward a revival of the Democrats' political fortunes, his brand of change is handicapped by a lack of excitement. Will Americans ultimately choose a "disruptor" over an incrementalist? 



  • New Book Offers First Historians' Take on Trump Presidency

    Julian Zelizer is the editor of a collection of essays by an all-star lineup of historians taking stock of the Trump presidency. He discusses the book and the challenges of putting the recent, contested past in perspective. 


  • The Problem of Presidential Isolation

    by Michael A. Genovese

    Today, who can speak truth to the president’s power? And to whom can a president unburden himself in those moments of stress and self-doubt? From whom can the president expect direct and candid advice?