This American President

On January 20, 1969, Richard Nixon delivered his first inaugural address—the culmination of one of the greatest comebacks in American political history. After losing the 1960 election to John F. Kennedy and then the 1962 California gubernatorial election, Nixon's political career was all but over. Although history remembers him as a controversial president, in this speech, he sought to unite a cou...

Richard M. Nixon is one of the country's most vilified presidents, and yet the American people entrusted him twice as vice president and twice as president. In this episode, we cover the highs and lows of Nixon‘s pre-presidential career and his tortuous path to the White House. We also cover his transformation, from America’s foremost anti-communist to its most prominent advocate for coexistence w...

He was one of the most ruthless tyrants who has ever lived. He is an icon of totalitarian oppression--and yet, he was also as human as you and me. In this episode, we interview Ronald G. Suny on his new book about the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, Stalin: Passage to Revolution. RONALD G. SUNY press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691182032/stalin JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at...

Ray Harris Jr of The History of WWII Podcast is joined by Richard Lim to discuss Franklin D. Roosevelt. Now that the Japanese have struck at Pearl Harbor, FDR must lead the U.S. to victory. But what kind of man and politician was FDR? Join us to find out. This is a preview of an episode of The History of WWII Podcast, hosted by Ray Harris Jr. RAY HARRIS JR www.worldwariipodcast.net/ JOIN PREMIUM L...

When he was shot by assassin Charles Guiteau, President James Garfield was robbed of his place in history. He would forever be relegated to obscurity. In this episode, we interview Todd Arrington on his book on the 20th president and how Garfield deserves a better place in the annals of American history. Check out Todd Arrington's book, The Last Lincoln Republican: The Presidential Election of 188...

An enduring theme of Abraham Lincoln's life was his genius for striking a balance between opposing forces. Lacking formal schooling but with an unquenchable thirst for self-improvement, Lincoln had a talent for wrestling and bawdy jokes that made him popular with his peers, even as his appetite for poetry and prodigious gifts for memorization set him apart from them through his childhood, his year...

John F. Kennedy often gets high marks for his leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but he agonized over what to do in Southeast Asia. This episode covers the origins of America's disastrous intervention in Vietnam—and JFK’s own tragic demise. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Produce...

John F. Kennedy's early years were formative for his knowledge of international relations, and provided him the ability to steer the nation through perilous events in the Cold War during his presidency. In this episode, we interview Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Fredrik Logevall about insights he uncovered about JFK’s early life and career in his new biography, JFK: Coming of Age in the America...

In October of 1962, John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev went to the brink of nuclear armageddon. In this episode, we cover how they managed the most dangerous moment in human history, the Cuban Missile Crisis. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Script Editor: Jennife...

Now that the 2020 election is over, attention is focusing on the new president's cabinet. We take the president’s cabinet for granted but it’s creation wasn’t a foregone conclusion. In this episode, we interview Professor Lindsay M. Chervinsky on how George Washington created this uniquely American institution in her new book, The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institut...

Jackie Kennedy was widowed at the age of 34, forever traumatized by her husband’s assassination. In this episode, we interview Paul Brandus on how Jackie sought to build a new life without JFK in his new book, Jackie: Her Transformation from First Lady to Jackie O. PAUL BRANDUS www.evergreenpodcasts.com/from-first-lady-to-jackie-o JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPprem...

John F. Kennedy entered office amid great expectations and high ambitions. But his idealism would soon crash into the realities of the Cold War. This episode examines the complex situations JFK encountered in the Third World. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Script E...

Vladimir Putin remains one of the world’s most enigmatic leaders, but Professor Brian Taylor has spent years studying what makes the Russian president tick. In this episode, Dr. Taylor discusses his book, The Code of Putinism. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Artist:...

They called him Honest Abe, but according to author Elizabeth Mitchell, Abraham Lincoln wasn't always honest. In fact, few presidents have more effectively manipulated the media. In this episode, Ms. Mitchell discusses her new book, Lincoln's Lie: A True Civil War Caper Through Fake News, Wall Street, and the White House. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLO...

GOP senators are moving to confirm Amy Coney Barrett to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In light of their 2016 refusal to give Merrick Garland a hearing, is this historically sound or hypocrisy? Historian David Greenberg weighs in. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: M...

In 1796, George Washington decided to retire after decades of public service, but he was worried for his nation’s future. This episode explores his Farewell Address, which he hoped would guide Americans beyond his own lifetime. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Artist...

President Trump’s COVID diagnosis raises questions about what happens when the president is incapacitated. Jane Hampton Cook and our host Richard Lim discuss what history has to say about presidential illnesses. JANE HAMPTON COOK https://janecook.com/ JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Produ...

In the middle of a heated presidential election, historian Jarrett Stepman explains what lessons history has to offer about the electoral college, running mate selections, and televised debates. Jarrett Stepman is the cohost of The Right Side of History and author of The War on History: The Conspiracy to Rewrite America's Past. JARRETT STEPMAN https://ricochet.com/series/right-side-history/ JOIN P...

100 years after the 19th amendment, Jane Hampton Cook’s book Resilience on Parade recounts the long struggle to secure women the right to vote nationwide. In this episode, Jane discusses the key figures and moments in the women’s suffrage movement. JANE HAMPTON COOK https://janecook.com/ JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpres...

The grandson of the 34th president, Merrill Eisenhower Atwater continues his family’s tradition of public service as CEO of People to People International. In this episode, Merrill discusses his grandfather’s towering legacy. MERRILL EISENHOWER ATWATER https://www.peopletopeople.com/ JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresiden...

Some remember Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency as a time of peace and prosperity, but in reality, it was an era of constant global crises. This episode explores how Eisenhower skillfully navigated the perils of the Cold War. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Script E...

Few men entered the presidency as prepared as Dwight D. Eisenhower, but the Cold War required exquisite statesmanship. This episode explores Eisenhower’s plans to contain communism and prevent nuclear holocaust. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Script Editor: Jennife...

Our host Richard and Joey Brown discuss the smallpox pandemic during the American Revolution and the Spanish Flu and the lessons those events have to offer for the present COVID-19 pandemic. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Artist: Nip Rogers, www. NipRogers.com See...

Harry S. Truman, a former haberdasher from Missouri, presided over the final victory in World War II, but a new conflict emerged: the Cold War. This episode explores how he responded to the unprecedented challenge of containing communism. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael...

Richard and Michael answer questions from listeners including the origin story of the podcast and what goes into making an episode. They also announce a Kickstarter Project to fund a podcast studio. JOIN PREMIUM Listen ad-free for only $5/month at www.bit.ly/TAPpremium FOLLOW US www.linktr.ee/thisamericanpresident CREDITS Host: Richard Lim Producer: Michael Neal Artist: Nip Rogers, www. NipRogers....