Michael Waldman
Michael Waldman is a celebrated author known for his works on the topic of American Presidential politics. Born in 1962 in New Jersey, Waldman was initially inspired to write about politics after reading Theodore White's The Making of the President 1960. After earning a degree in history from Yale University in 1984, he went on to attend Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1987.
In 1992, Waldman published his first book, The Fight to Vote, which chronicles the modern civil rights movement's pursuit of equal suffrage. The text’s focus shifted from the compelling story of a people’s struggle for their political rights to an analysis of the legal and ethical implications of one of America’s most enduring issues. To write this book, Waldman conducted several interviews with activists from the civil rights movement and familiarized himself with key documents from the era. Drawing upon his background in history, The Fight to Vote earned Waldman his first renown.
In 1996, Waldman wrote The Second Biggest lie: George W. Bush's Rewriting of History, in which he examines George W. Bush’s record as the governor of Texas. The book's title refers to a comment Bush made during a speech in which he contended that the "second biggest lie in politics is that by the strength of an individual's effort in America they can achieve anything they want." This study was an incisive examination of how a politician's rhetoric can be at odds with his actual behavior.
Waldman’s next book, POTUS Speaks: Finding the Words that Defined the Clinton Presidency. This book is an examination of the most impactful speeches given by the forty-second President of the United States, Bill Clinton.The text takes readers through the arc of Clinton’s presidency, covering the seminal themes of his time in office. It is a comprehensive collection of meanings, messages, and contexts that gives readers a better understanding of the former president's time in office.
Waldman went on to co-author an award-winning book in 2002 titled My Fellow Americans: The Most important speeches of America’s Presidents, from George Washington to George W. Bush. This book brings together one hundred years of American history in a collection of speeches that have defined the nation. This work highlights the political trials and triumphs that our country has endured over the course of its existence. In the tradition of his past works, Waldman displayed an attention to detail that demonstrated his depth of knowledge of American history and commitment to accuracy in his writing.
Throughout his career, Michael Waldman has presented his readers with groundbreaking research of American history and politics. His works are thoroughly researched, woven together in engaging and inspiring ways, and are highly sought after. Waldman offers an excellent look into American history and its politics, showing readers just how much influence a few words can have.
