Archive for the ‘Presidents’ Category

Since 2002 Franklin Delano Roosevelt has ranked number one in New York’s Siena College Research Institute Survey of U.S. Presidents, which ranks the best Commander-in-Chiefs of all time in a number of different categories, and has done so five times. I'll let the list speak for itself: 1. Franklin D. Roosevelt 2. Theodore Roosevelt 3. ... Full story

I live in Whittier, Ca., which is a suburb of Los Angeles. But next week, joined by my lovely wife, we will be driving to San Diego to see a play based on the Lincoln Douglas Debates at the Lamb's Player Theater. The play, The Rivlary, is a three actor stage play that ... Full story

The 28th President of the United States Woodrow Wilson is sometimes remembered for his, frankly, visionary Fourteen Points at the end of WWI, and for his support and promotion of the League of Nations. What has come to light by some recent analysis are his progressive policies and his deep racist actions and ... Full story

I arrived at school this morning early. I did not sleep well, I felt, well frankly, on the down low and tossed and turned all night. I stayed up last night and watched the mockery that is the United States House of Representatives. This is not change and "ethics" at work, it was ... Full story

One of my AP US History students showed this to me and I thought it was cute so I will share here with you! (Video below) Full story

Not a political post, but a factual one. Ten days ago President Obama signed legislation to increase the federal government's borrowing authority by nearly $2 trillion. After President Obama signed a law last week authorizing the United States Treasury to borrow an additional $1.9 trillion.... They reveal startling facts, says Jeffrey: ... Full story

Whether you appreciate Reagan or not. Whether you think he had much to do with the Berlin Wall coming down or not, his "Tear Down This Wall" speech is historic and prophetic. In honor of the anniversary of the "fall" of the Berlin Wall and the flourishing of freedom in Eastern Germany:... Full story

Kevin and Richard have a couple of posts concerning the popular Grant topic of his drinking and whether or not he was a drunk?  Kevin is currently reading a new manuscript from UNC on Grant titled U.S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth, written by Joan Waugh. (Interestingly, I wonder if they want Kevin discussing any part of this manuscript in public at all? Apparently ... Full story

Very interesting recordings it sounds like are being released by the Nixon Presidential Library. As the movie Frost/Nixon identified, Nixon was a complex man. It stands to reason that we don't really learn about a President until many years after their leaving office. It will be interesting how our most contemporary Presidents will be judged in years to come: Obama, Bush W., Clinton, Bush H., ... Full story

Good show Mr. President I loved this! Full story

I am skimming through a very interesting read for my Graduate Class on the United States Constitution by Pulitzer Prize author and historian Jack N. Rakove titled,Declaring Rights: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture)... Full story

In honor of Washington becoming the first elected President on this day (1789). The best strategy employed during the early stages of fighting was more akin to modern guerrilla style than the traditional European tactics of the day. The murderous sniper attacks of the Patriots on the British during their return from Concord were devastating. (Gen. Nathaniel Greene would use hit and run tactics ... Full story

  I received today my review copy of the upcoming PBS miniseries "Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West," which, according to the press kit, promises to "change the way we think about the war." Sounds interesting and I am looking forward to watching this and will report on my reaction to it. The series is scheduled to start May 6th. ... Full story

It's Friday and I am tired, but I will post this nonetheless. The headline reads "Barack Obama rejects Normandy trip to avoid offending Germany" in the London Telegraph newspaper. When I first saw it today (the story came out days ago) I was a little stunned that our Commander-in-Chief rejected the idea of visiting the ... Full story

In honor of President William Henry Harrison and the anniversary of his death. Who at the time was the oldest man (68) ever elected to the office and who unfortunately only lasted a month before succumbing to pneumonia. Here's a humorous video presentation (via "Drunk History") on the circumstances surrounding the death of William Henry Harrison.... Full story

I have refrained these past few weeks from getting into much politically, but when I see something that has to do with our troops, such as this. Well, I am compelled to post it: WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to ... Full story

McFarland books are hamstrung by their price and often times their lack of production value: poor maps, illustration, ect. However, I do have the pleasure to recommend a McFarland book (a 2 Volume Set) that I feel is worth the cost. Lincoln's Assassins: A Complete Account of Their Capture, Trial, and Punishment, by Roy Z. ... Full story

He's a Bears fan... He's a Bulls fan... He drinks beer... As a Chicago boy who also loves the Bears, the Bulls, and yes, beer, I enjoy seeing a President who actually resembles me other than my skin color! Also, final note, there's something I do not trust about a person who doesn't enjoy the refreshing nature of a finely brewed beer. I'd ... Full story

This from the National Review Online website (picked up via CW Bookshelf) is a nice followup to my post from a week ago about Lincoln and Race. Eric Foner is a favorite of mine, not becuase I agree with everything he says, but as Guelzo writes he is a fair historian. I happen to agree more with the "progressive" view of Lincoln ... Full story

  "Presidents Day" was assigned to February 22 by Congress in 1885 and declared a national holiday. It was intended to honor our nation's first President, George Washington. But also, about this time, there was a movement to honor Lincoln on this same day as well. So in honor of Presidents Day, C-SPAN surveyed historians to ... Full story