America’s Book Club

Who are the most influential figures in American history, and which events have shaped the nation we know today?

Award-winning, bestselling historians Annette Gordon-Reed and Douglas Brinkley join host David M. Rubenstein at the National Book Festival for a wide-ranging conversation about the people, defining moments, and turning points in U.S. history. Together, they explore America's past and the lasting impact of the individuals and events that helped shape the country.

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Author and former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (1995-99) joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss his extensive career in Congress and writing more than 40 books on topics ranging from political commentary to alternative history.

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Bestselling authors Elliot Ackerman, a Marine Corps veteran, and retired U.S. Navy Admiral James Stavridis join David M. Rubenstein to discuss their military thrillers, including 2034: A Novel of the Next World War and 2054: A Novel. They explore the future of warfare, emerging technologies, global security threats, and how their military experiences influence their writing.

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Bestselling author Min Jin Lee joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss her literary career, early life in the United States, her award-winning novel "Pachinko," and meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla.

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National Book Award winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist historian Nathaniel Philbrick joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss his bestselling books about the Mayflower, George Washington, and the California gold rush, as well as life on Nantucket.

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Bestselling author and attorney Scott Turow joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss his career as a master of the legal thriller, his writing process, and the experiences that have inspired his novels. Turow also shares his concerns about artificial intelligence and its potential impact on writers, publishing, and the creative process.

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Pulitzer Prize winner and longtime Washington Post reporter David Maraniss joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss his biographies of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Vince Lombardi, and Jim Thorpe.

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Best-selling author and USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss her book about Queen Elizabeth's relationships with 13 U.S. presidents and her biographies of Barbara Bush, Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Walters.

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Pulitzer Prize winner Kai Bird joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss his biography of Roy Cohn, American Scoundrel, and his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography American Prometheus, which inspired the film Oppenheimer.

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Bestselling historian Andrea Wulf joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss her biographies of the founding fathers, rebels, explorers and scientists and her award-winning book "The Invention of Nature."

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Bestselling author Ben Mezrich joins David Rubenstein to discuss his writing career and the real-life stories behind several of his bestselling books, including Bringing Down the House and The Accidental Billionaires, which were adapted into the hit films 21 and The Social Network.

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Bestselling presidential historian Michael Beschloss joins David M. Rubenstein for a wide-ranging conversation on American history. They discuss the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the pivotal events and presidents that shaped the United States in the twentieth century.

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Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss her memoir, novels and early career as a war correspondent.

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Historians Danielle Allen and Walter Isaacson join David M. Rubenstein at the U.S. Capitol to discuss the Declaration of Independence and how America celebrates its founding.

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Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss her acclaimed biographies of Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as the life and legacy of her late husband, Richard Goodwin, who served as a speechwriter for Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

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Journalist Kara Swisher joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and technology, human longevity, and her interviewing style.

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Bestselling Mary Todd Lincoln biographer Lois Romano joins David M. Rubenstein at Ford's Theatre to discuss Lincoln's early life, time in the White House and mental health.

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Bestselling author David Baldacci joins David M. Rubenstein for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey from practicing law in Washington to becoming one of the world's most successful thriller writers. He discusses his approach to crafting suspenseful stories, seeing his novel Absolute Power adapted into a film by Clint Eastwood, and the evolving relationship between technology and publishing. Baldacci also explains his involvement in a lawsuit against major AI companies and shares his views on protecting authors' work in the age of artificial intelligence.

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Bestselling author Ann Patchett joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss her novels, children's books, nonfiction work, and what it's like to own her own bookstore.

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Bestselling Historian Candice Millard joins David M. Rubenstein at the U.S. Capitol to discuss her books about Theodore Roosevelt, James Garfield, and Winston Churchill.

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