Susan Dunnová je profesorkou literatury a historie myšlenek na Williams College. Její práce se zabývá složitými intelektuálními a politickými proudy, které formovaly moderní svět. Zaměřuje se na analýzu klíčových momentů v historii myšlení, které odhalují hlubší pravdy o lidské povaze a společnosti. Její spisovatelský styl je precizní a pronikavý a přibližuje komplexní témata širšímu publiku.
The public execution of Louis XVI serves as a focal point in French history, representing contrasting interpretations across political spectrums. For Jacobins, it symbolized empowerment, while royalists viewed it as a grave sin. Dunn explores how this event shaped French intellectual discourse and political myth, revealing how both right and left thinkers condemned regicide and violence, ultimately fostering a humanitarian vision that laid the moral groundwork for modern France. The book delves into the enduring impact of this historical moment on collective memory and national identity.
The spellbinding story of the Roosevelt-Willkie election season, when bitterly divided Americans debated the fate of the nation and the world In 1940, against the explosive backdrop of the Nazi onslaught in Europe, two farsighted candidates for the U.S. presidency--Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt, running for an unprecedented third term, and talented Republican businessman Wendell Willkie--found themselves on the defensive against American isolationists and their charismatic spokesman Charles Lindbergh, who called for surrender to Hitler's demands. In this dramatic account of that turbulent and consequential election, historian Susan Dunn brings to life the debates, the high-powered players, and the dawning awareness of the Nazi threat as the presidential candidates engaged in their own battle for supremacy. 1940 not only explores the contest between FDR and Willkie but also examines the key preparations for war that went forward, even in the midst of that divisive election season. The book tells an inspiring story of the triumph of American democracy in a world reeling from fascist barbarism, and it offers a compelling alternative scenario to today's hyperpartisan political arena, where common ground seems unattainable.
A premier leadership scholar and an eighteenth-century expert define the special contributions and qualifications of our first presidentRevolutionary hero, founding president, and first citizen of the young republic, George Washington was the most illustrious public man of his time, a man whose image today is the result of the careful grooming of his public persona to include the themes of character, self-sacrifice, and destiny.As Washington sought to interpret the Constitution's assignment of powers to the executive branch and to establish precedent for future leaders, he relied on his key advisers and looked to form consensus as the guiding principle of government. His is a legacy of a successful experiment in collective leadership, great initiatives in establishing a strong executive branch, and the formulation of innovative and lasting economic and foreign policies. James MacGregor Burns and Susan Dunn also trace the arc of Washington's increasing dissatisfaction with public life and the seeds of dissent and political parties that, ironically, grew from his insistence on consensus. In this compelling and balanced biography, Burns and Dunn give us a rich portrait of the man behind the carefully crafted mythology.
In the cold winter months that followed Franklin Roosevelt’s election in November 1940 to an unprecedented third term in the White House, he confronted a worldwide military and moral catastrophe. Almost all the European democracies had fallen under the ruthless onslaught of the Nazi army and air force. Great Britain stood alone, a fragile bastion between Germany and American immersion in war. In the Pacific world, Japan had extended its tentacles deeper into China. Susan Dunn dramatically brings to life the most vital and transformational period of Roosevelt’s presidency: the hundred days between December 1940 and March 1941, when he mobilized American industry, mustered the American people, initiated the crucial programs and approved the strategic plans for America’s leadership in World War II. As the nation began its transition into the preeminent military, industrial, and moral power on the planet, FDR laid out the stunning blueprint not only for war but for the American Century.
Focusing on the intertwined lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, this biography explores their emergence from New York's elite to become a pivotal political family in the 20th century. The authors highlight how Theodore's dynamic leadership influenced Franklin and Eleanor, shaping a progressive political legacy during America's turbulent times. Through their actions and passions, readers gain insight into the Roosevelts' impact on history and politics, presenting a complex portrait of three influential leaders whose legacies remain significant today.
Exploring the lessons from the two significant modern revolutions, this book delves into their implications for contemporary democracy. It examines how these historical events shaped political thought and governance, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by democratic systems today. By analyzing the successes and failures of these revolutions, the author provides a framework for understanding current democratic practices and the ongoing struggle for political freedom and equality.
