David L. Roll
David L. Roll is an American author and historian who has published extensively on the topics of politics, history and the American presidency. His works have been widely acclaimed and much-admired over the years and his most recent work, Franklin and Washington, was named one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2020.
Roll was born in Wisconsin, with Wisconsin having a profound impact on his later works. His upbringing, in the wake of the Vietnam War, instilled in him a passion for history, individual accountability, and the role of politics in modern society.
Roll graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1991 with a degree in political science. He went on to receive his PhD from New York University in political science, international relations, and American politics. Following his studies, he worked for the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board of the Reagan administration, then for the international risk management firm of Kissinger Associates.
Roll's passion for politics and history led him to re-engage with academia. He taught at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey as well as New York University. Roll is currently a visiting scholar in the Department of Political Science at Columbia University and a senior adviser to the McCain Institute.
Roll's books offer penetrating analysis of the American political landscape and the relationship between leaders and citizens. He is particularly well-knownfor his work on President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. His books on these two former presidents take a unique look at their legacies and provide insight into how US political developments shaped their time in office.
One of Roll’s most popular works is entitled The Life and Times of JFK (2013). Through interviews and historical research, Roll examines Kennedy’s political legacy from the grass-roots level. The book serves as a haunting reminder of the fragility of an American democracy.
Roll has also written books on presidential succession, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War. His most recent book is entitled Franklin and Washington: The Founding Fathers and the Making of American Democracy (2020). This Edition brings together archival research and eyewitness accounts to tell the story of two contentious Founding Fathers, George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. This book offers an intimate look at the men during a critical moment in history and their personal struggles.
Roll has written prolifically on contemporary politics and history, with his work appearing in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Times Literary Supplement, and numerous other publications. He is also a frequent commentator on television and radio, often featured on MSNBC and NPR.
David L. Roll is an esteemed political historian and an engaging writer. His books provide an invaluable understanding of America’s political history and an insight into the challenges of modern-day politics. Roll’s works will undoubtedly continue to be celebrated and admired for years to come.
