H.W. Brands Seamlessly Tied Together a Range of Topics in a Lively Presentation
H.W. Brands came back to the Ford two days after the 2024 presidential election. The bestselling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist spoke about the significance of the Ford administration at a time when Americans were dispirited by the looming defeat of the Vietnam War.
The theme of America's role in a dangerous world tied into the subject of his new book, America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War, which Brands also discussed. In the book, Brands narrates the fierce debate over America's role in the world in the run-up to World War II through its two most important figures: President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who advocated intervention, and his isolationist nemesis, aviator and popular hero Charles Lindbergh.
In this gripping narrative, H.W. Brands sheds light on a crucial tipping point in American history and depicts the making of a legendary president.
H.W. Brands is a history professor at the University of Texas and prolific writer (authoring over 30 books). His articles have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Smithsonian, and many other publications.
Afterward, Brands offered a book signing for America First: Roosevelt vs. Lindbergh in the Shadow of War.
Watch the Program
Photos of the Event
Where
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
When
Friday, October 4, 2024
Program Supporters
In partnership with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is proud to bring H.W. Brands back to Grand Rapids. We gratefully acknowledge the Peter & Joan Secchia Foundation for underwriting this special event.
About H.W. Brands
H. W. (Henry William) BRANDS was born in Oregon, went to college in California, sold cutlery across the American West and earned graduate degrees in mathematics and history in Oregon and Texas.
He taught at Vanderbilt University and Texas A&M University before joining the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History.
He writes on American history and politics, with books including The Last Campaign, Our First Civil War and The Zealot and the Emancipator. Several of his books have been bestsellers; two, Traitor to His Class and The First American, were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize.
He lectures frequently on historical and current events and can be seen and heard on national and international television and radio. He publishes history-themed poetry on Twitter and “A User’s Guide to History” on Substack.
