Michael Birkner's guest appearances

Michael Birkner

PA BOOKS on PCN

Camp Ta-Pa-Win-Go

Eagleton Center on the American Governor (Public Programs)

Donald Trump

David Smith

Benjamin Franklin

Ben Franklin

Betsy Ross

Mark Epstein

James Buchanan

Donald Miller

Walter Isaacson

Richard Bell

Alexander Hamilton

Erica Wagner

Mark Oppenheimer

Dick Allen

Tim Palmer

OwlTail

When Buchanan entered the White House in March 1857, he seemed well positioned to accomplish his main objectives. A canny and seasoned politician from Pennsylvania with a reputation for moderation on slavery-related issues, Buchanan had a straightforward agenda: the amelioration of sectional tensions, the promotion of American prosperity, and the extension of the Democrats' control of the federal government. 			Four years later, Buchanan left Washington convinced that he had done his best and accomplished much. In fact, he left behind a shattered Democratic party, a new Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, and a ruptured Union. Except for a cadre of faithful Pennsylvania friends, Buchanan's reputation lay in ruins. He has consistently been ranked among the least effective presidents in American history.

When Buchanan entered the White House in March 1857, he seemed well positioned to accomplish his main objectives. A canny and seasoned politician from Pennsylvania with a reputation for moderation on slavery-related issues, Buchanan had a straightforward agenda: the amelioration of sectional tensions, the promotion of American prosperity, and the extension of the Democrats' control of the federal government. 			 Four years later, Buchanan left Washington convinced that he had done his best and accomplished much. In fact, he left behind a shattered Democratic party, a new Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, and a ruptured Union. Except for a cadre of faithful Pennsylvania friends, Buchanan's reputation lay in ruins. He has consistently been ranked among the least effective presidents in American history.

"James Buchanan and the Political Crisis of the 1850s" with Michael Birkner

John Quist

"James Buchanan and the Coming of the Civil War" 			As James Buchanan took office in 1857, the United States found itself at a crossroads. Dissolution of the Union had been averted and the Democratic Party maintained control of the federal government, but the nation watched to see if Pennsylvania's first president could make good on his promise to calm sectional tensions.  Despite Buchanan's central role in a crucial hour in U.S. history, few presidents have been more ignored by historians. In assembling the essays for this volume, Michael Birkner and John Quist have asked leading scholars to reconsider whether Buchanan's failures stemmed from his own mistakes or from circumstances that no president could have overcome.  Buchanan's dealings with Utah shed light on his handling of the secession crisis. His approach to Dred Scott reinforces the image of a president whose doughface views were less a matter of hypocrisy than a thorough identification with southern interests. Essays on the secession crisis provide fodder for debate about the strengths and limitations of presidential authority in an existential moment for the young nation.  Although the essays in this collection offer widely differing interpretations of Buchanan's presidency, they all grapple honestly with the complexities of the issues faced by the man who sat in the White House prior to the towering figure of Lincoln, and contribute to a deeper understanding of a turbulent and formative era. John Quist is professor of history at Shippensburg University and author of Restless Visionaries. Michael Birkner is Franklin Professor of Liberal Arts and professor of history at Gettysburg College and editor of James Buchanan and the Political Crisis of the 1850s.

"James Buchanan and the Coming of the Civil War" 			 As James Buchanan took office in 1857, the United States found itself at a crossroads. Dissolution of the Union had been averted and the Democratic Party maintained control of the federal government, but the nation watched to see if Pennsylvania's first president could make good on his promise to calm sectional tensions. Despite Buchanan's central role in a crucial hour in U.S. history, few presidents have been more ignored by historians. In assembling the essays for this volume, Michael Birkner and John Quist have asked leading scholars to reconsider whether Buchanan's failures stemmed from his own mistakes or from circumstances that no president could have overcome. Buchanan's dealings with Utah shed light on his handling of the secession crisis. His approach to Dred Scott reinforces the image of a president whose doughface views were less a matter of hypocrisy than a thorough identification with southern interests. Essays on the secession crisis provide fodder for debate about the strengths and limitations of presidential authority in an existential moment for the young nation. Although the essays in this collection offer widely differing interpretations of Buchanan's presidency, they all grapple honestly with the complexities of the issues faced by the man who sat in the White House prior to the towering figure of Lincoln, and contribute to a deeper understanding of a turbulent and formative era. John Quist is professor of history at Shippensburg University and author of Restless Visionaries. Michael Birkner is Franklin Professor of Liberal Arts and professor of history at Gettysburg College and editor of James Buchanan and the Political Crisis of the 1850s.

"James Buchanan and the Coming of the Civil War" with John Quist and Michael Birkner

The Governors of New Jersey: Biographical EssaysListen to editor Dr. Michael Birkner speak at Eagleton about this revised edition that includes new chapters on the NJ governors of the last three decades.3.11.2014 at the Eagleton Institute of PoliticsRutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ)(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the Eagleton Institute of Politics or Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.)

The Governors of New Jersey: Biographical Essays Listen to editor Dr. Michael Birkner speak at Eagleton about this revised edition that includes new chapters on the NJ governors of the last three decades. 3.11.2014 at the Eagleton Institute of Politics Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) (Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the Eagleton Institute of Politics or Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.)

Michael Birkner discusses book: The Governors of New Jersey (AUDIO)