Explore the rich and complex history of the United States and beyond. Produced by The New York Historical, host David M. Rubenstein engages the nation’s foremos...
The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President
President Theodore Roosevelt is often described as an icon of American masculinity. From his military past as a Rough Rider to his history of undertaking dangerous wilderness expeditions, Roosevelt’s image has been associated with rugged bravery and steely determination. Behind this persona, however, were the women—family members, friends, and wives—upon whom he relied and who guided Roosevelt in matters both personal and political. Author Edward O’Keefe joins David M. Rubenstein to trace the lives and influence of these women, who fundamentally shaped Roosevelt’s life and political career. Recorded on December 12, 2024
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President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier
When President James Garfield assumed the office of the presidency in March 1881, he stood at the helm of a deeply polarized and fragmented nation. Known as a reformer as well as a broker of compromise during his time in Congress, Garfield would scarcely have time to implement change as president before being assassinated only four months into his term. In this talk with David M. Rubenstein, biographer C.W. Goodyear discusses the life and legacy of President Garfield, a complex and often contradictory figure who became a martyr for democracy. Recorded on July 29, 2024
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The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency
In the eyes of the nation and the world, the American presidency is a steadfast institution, one that symbolizes the United States' enduring strength and international leadership. In reality, the presidency is ever-evolving, as the contours of its powers and the expectations that come with them are continually reshaped by those who hold the office. Drawing on interviews with multiple living US presidents, including George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as conversations with leading presidential historians, David M. Rubenstein sits down with Douglas Brinkley to explore the history, responsibility, and myths surrounding America's highest office. Recorded on September 23, 2024
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American Reckoning: Inside Trump’s Trial―and My Own
Donald Trump’s so-called “hush money” trial was a historic episode in Trump’s unprecedented political career. The trial provided unique insight into the freedoms and limitations of the American presidency, and how our political system is and isn’t equipped to respond to complex intersections of the law and the country’s highest office. Jonathan Alter—one of only a handful of journalists present in the courtroom in April 2024—joins us to discussTrump’s trial, its aftermath, and the larger context in which the judicial struggle unfolded. Recorded on December 5, 2024
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The Outlier: The Unfinished Presidency of Jimmy Carter
The complex legacy of Jimmy Carter’s one-term presidency remains poorly understood by the American public. Often wholly overshadowed by the era-defining Reagan administration that would follow, Carter’s four years at the nation’s helm reflect a unique and singular American leader, one with deep moral convictions and who asked questions of the nation that may have been ahead of their time. Author Kai Bird sits down with David Rubenstein to examine the triumphs and challenges of the Carter administration. Recorded on June 11, 2021
Explore the rich and complex history of the United States and beyond. Produced by The New York Historical, host David M. Rubenstein engages the nation’s foremost historians and creative thinkers on a wide range of topics, including presidential biography, the nation’s founding, and the people who have shaped the American story. Learn more at nyhistory.org.