A User's Guide to History

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Ballad of the Presidents: Lincoln
Lincoln watched silent and spoke not a word Some called his quietude shameful, absurd But not yet inducted, he wielded no power His words would mean…
 • 
H. W. Brands
Ballad of the Presidents: Polk to Buchanan
Of Manifest Destiny, Polk was a prophet Campaigning for Texas and all it would profit And Oregon too with American might His slogan was…
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H. W. Brands
2
25 for 25. The Battle of Seattle (1999)
In previous essays I have remarked the tendency of each generation to think that history was culminating in them.
 • 
H. W. Brands
The search for meaning
Careful!
 • 
H. W. Brands
2

December 2024

Ballad of the Presidents: Van Buren to Tyler
As Jackson stepped back from the field of contention Van Buren stepped forward with noble intention Thought clever and cunning, a wily old fox Van Buren…
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H. W. Brands
25 for 25. Reagan and Gorbachev at Reykjavik (1986)
Have you ever found yourself wrestling with a life problem you just couldn't solve?
 • 
H. W. Brands
1
Ballad of the Presidents: Jackson
Their rematch campaign was more nasty No libels and slanders more ghastly Adams was cast as a con and a thief Jackson as bloodthirsty milit’ry chief The…
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H. W. Brands
1
Five ways bots beat people
Suppose you have $100 million to invest today.
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H. W. Brands
1
25 for 25: Watergate (1972)
There's nothing like a good war to boost Americans' confidence in the ability of their government to do things right.
 • 
H. W. Brands
Ballad of the Presidents: Monroe and Quincy Adams
Madison happily happened to know How to elect his friend Jimmy Monroe Sending the Feds in despondence a'reeling Monroe won the prize on a wave of good…
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H. W. Brands
1
Ballad of the Presidents: Madison
Madison entered to Jefferson’s mess His nerve and composure were put to the test When Britain’s impressmen kept kidnapping seamen To serve in her navy…
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H. W. Brands
Warriors and priests
Ancient societies were controlled by two groups: the warriors and the priests.
 • 
H. W. Brands
3
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