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.

The American Civil War Still Being Fought The American Civil War Still Being Fought

Some dispute the role of slavery as the central cause of the war, but we remain prisoners of the past if we do not face this fact.

Dec 21, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Eric Foner

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

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