Rick Atkinson
author
Rick Atkinson is the bestselling author of the Liberation Trilogy--An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light--as well as The Long Gray Line and other books. His is currently writing the Revolution Trilogy, which began with The British Are Coming. His many awards include Pulitzer prizes for history and journalism. A former staff writer and senior editor at The Washington Post, he lives in Washington, D.C.
8
July 8, 2024
The Farewell Address
The publication of the Farewell Address was a momentous occasion for the young United States. In it, Washington established the most significant precedent of his presidency: the two-term limit. By giving up power, Washington ensured a peaceful transition for the next president. He sent the message that the presidency was not a lifetime appointment. And he did so willingly. In the final episode of Inventing the Presidency, we discuss Washington's final moments in office and reflect on his leaders...
1
March 11, 2024
The Making of a President
In the early days of June, 1787, in the thick of the Constitutional Convention, a debate unfolded that would test the fate of the young American nation. Four years after the end of the American Revolution, the United States still had no functioning Executive branch. The Convention sought a solution that would eventually create one of the most hallowed institutions of the United States government: the presidency. In this episode, join Rick Atkinson, Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, Dr. Bruce Ragsdale, Dr. Patrick Spero, and Dr. Peter Kastor to explore the foundations of the American presidency and the first presidential election.