show bio Michael Beschloss

Michael Beschloss was recently appointed NBC News’ Presidential Historian, the first time any major network has created such a position. He appears regularly on “Meet the Press,” “Today” and all NBC News programs, which provide viewers with expert analysis of the executive branch. Beschloss is the author of the following best sellers: “The Conquerors: Roosevelt,” “Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945;” “Taking Charge: The Johnson White House Tapes, 1963-1964” and “Reaching for Glory;” as well as “The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev, 1960-1963;” “Mayday: Eisenhower, Khrushchev, and the U-2 Affair;” and “Kennedy and Roosevelt: The Uneasy Alliance.” His latest book is “Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989.”

Presidential History
Date: 11/19/2007

Michael Beschloss discusses presidential history and his new book, “Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989.” Beschloss reveals his understanding of how each president operates, as well as the successes and failures of each man’s leadership. He believes that in order to write about presidential history, historians must wait decades after the coveted presidency in order to objectively analyze the lasting legacy of the president and his policies. According to Beschloss, extraordinary moments in history have depended on presidents who would do the right thing even if it meant losing their popularity, losing re-election or in a worse case scenario, losing their lives. Beschloss attributes the precedent of presidential courage and commitment to our first president, George Washington.

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