Richard Kreitner

richardkreitner

Richard Kreitner is a contributing writer and the author of Break It Up: Secession, Division, and the Secret History of America's Imperfect Union. His writings are at richardkreitner.com.

Articles of Confederation

‘We Have Not a Government’: The US Before the Constitution ‘We Have Not a Government’: The US Before the Constitution

An interview with George William Van Cleve, author of a new book about a period of crisis that offers tools for thinking about our own.

Oct 23, 2017 / Richard Kreitner

‘The America and the World of Our Dreams—How Far Away They Seem on This Memorial Day!’

‘The America and the World of Our Dreams—How Far Away They Seem on This Memorial Day!’ ‘The America and the World of Our Dreams—How Far Away They Seem on This Memorial Day!’

Ninety-nine years ago, an editorial in the magazine pleaded for “a world freed from the burden of mutual national distrust and hatred and deceit.”

May 29, 2017 / Column / Richard Kreitner

Empire, Conquest, and the War America Forgot

Empire, Conquest, and the War America Forgot Empire, Conquest, and the War America Forgot

The historian William Hogeland talks about the first war the United States ever fought and the “problematic and thorny and painful” questions his new book raises.

May 15, 2017 / Richard Kreitner

‘Trump Is Just Tearing Off the Mask’: An Interview with Eric Foner

‘Trump Is Just Tearing Off the Mask’: An Interview with Eric Foner ‘Trump Is Just Tearing Off the Mask’: An Interview with Eric Foner

The esteemed American historian talks about his new book, the politics of history, and the meaning of “a usable past.”

Apr 18, 2017 / Feature / Richard Kreitner

Forget the Musical—Alexander Hamilton’s Real Legacy Is the Poverty-Stricken City He Founded

Forget the Musical—Alexander Hamilton’s Real Legacy Is the Poverty-Stricken City He Founded Forget the Musical—Alexander Hamilton’s Real Legacy Is the Poverty-Stricken City He Founded

So why are the leaders of Paterson, NJ,  so eager to capitalize on his memory?

Feb 21, 2017 / Feature / Richard Kreitner

milo protest

Are We on the Verge of Another Civil War? Are We on the Verge of Another Civil War?

The historian David Armitage didn’t intend his new book to be a “handbook for our times.” But that’s just what it is.

Feb 8, 2017 / Richard Kreitner

Nat Hentoff

Nat Hentoff, Freedom Fighter Nat Hentoff, Freedom Fighter

The legendary critic, who died recently at the age of 91, passionately defended freedom of expression in jazz, politics, and life.

Jan 9, 2017 / Richard Kreitner

Post-Truth and Its Consequences: What a 25-Year-Old Essay Tells Us About the Current Moment

Post-Truth and Its Consequences: What a 25-Year-Old Essay Tells Us About the Current Moment Post-Truth and Its Consequences: What a 25-Year-Old Essay Tells Us About the Current Moment

“We are rapidly becoming prototypes of a people that totalitarian monsters could only drool about in their dreams,” a Nation writer said in 1992.

Nov 30, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

Trump and Obama meet

What Time Is It? Here’s What the 2016 Election Tells Us About Obama, Trump, and What Comes Next What Time Is It? Here’s What the 2016 Election Tells Us About Obama, Trump, and What Comes Next

Political scientist Stephen Skowronek talks about how his theory of the cycles of presidential history explains the campaign’s shocking results.

Nov 22, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

New York City

‘The Nation’ Has New Digs ‘The Nation’ Has New Digs

From our new offices crosstown, we can see not only the Hudson River but a good stretch of our own history.

Sep 23, 2016 / Richard Kreitner

x