Eric Foner

Eric Foner, a member of The Nation’s editorial board and the DeWitt Clinton Professor Emeritus of History at Columbia University, is the author, most recently, of The Second Founding: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution.

Restless Confederates Restless Confederates

Two new books argue that the South's slaveholding republic faced a crisis of legitimacy from the outset.

Jul 14, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Twisting History in Texas Twisting History in Texas

Texas's new curriculum teaches students about: women who adhere to traditional gender roles, the Confederacy, some parts of the Constitution, capitalism, the military and religion.

Mar 18, 2010 / Eric Foner

Howard Zinn

Zinn’s Critical History Zinn’s Critical History

Howard Zinn's writings remain essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the upheavals of the '60s

Feb 4, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

The Professional The Professional

Like the Progressives, Obama seems to believe government can move beyond partisan politics.

Jan 14, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Our Lincoln Our Lincoln

As a politician, Lincoln's greatness lay in his capacity for growth. Can Obama follow suit?

Jan 8, 2009 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Rooted in Reconstruction: The First Wave of Black Congressmen Rooted in Reconstruction: The First Wave of Black Congressmen

Without the courage of the forgotten black legislators of the Reconstruction era, it would be impossible for a black man today to run for president.

Oct 15, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Reconstruction Lessons Reconstruction Lessons

Advocates of African-Americans and women achieve more by working together than by fighting.

Jan 17, 2008 / Eric Foner

Battle Pieces Battle Pieces

In This Republic of Suffering, historian Drew Gilpin Faust strips from the Civil War any purpose beyond massive slaughter.

Jan 10, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Reading Lincoln in Pakistan Reading Lincoln in Pakistan

Pervez Musharraf wraps himself in Lincoln's mantle, but no one is fooled.

Nov 8, 2007 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

Lincoln’s Antiwar Record Lincoln’s Antiwar Record

Looking for a model lawmaker who called a President to account for launching a war on fabricated grounds? Consider Illinois Representative Abraham Lincoln's rebuke of James Polk.

Feb 27, 2007 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

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