In Pursuit Project Highlights Lessons from U.S. Presidents and First Ladies

The ‘In Pursuit’ project brings together essays from former U.S. presidents and esteemed authors. Past presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton contributed to the series, specifically avoiding the politically charged present by not mentioning Donald Trump or his successor, Joe Biden. The project seeks to transcend current political divides. Its essays examine past presidents and first ladies, aiming to draw lessons from U.S. history. Curated by Colleen Shogan, the U.S. archivist previously dismissed by Trump, the project upholds a non-partisan approach.

Shogan emphasized the importance of inclusivity and learning from history’s successes and failures. The series covers the 43 presidents before Trump and Biden, and 30 first ladies. To maintain objectivity, Shogan instructed essayists to avoid partisanship. According to Shogan, the purpose is to allow every American to learn about the last 250 years, leading to meaningful insights for the future.

George W. Bush celebrated George Washington’s restraint in his presidency, hinting at broader contemporary concerns. Washington’s choice to relinquish power after two terms set a significant precedent. Bush stated that Washington’s humility in stepping down was a crucial decision in American politics. His essay, released on Presidents Day on Substack, garnered notable engagement.

Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal penned an essay on Ulysses S. Grant, praising his devotion to law over personal ambition. This idea is reflected in the current political climate, where loyalty is often demanded in place of adherence to principles. McChrystal wrote about the tendency to prioritize personal power over institutional strength.

Bill Clinton’s contribution focused on Theodore Roosevelt, highlighting Roosevelt’s push to expand people’s inclusion, though also noting his exclusionary beliefs. The essays address historical failures alongside successes, countering Trump’s preference for more exclusively patriotic narratives.

This is about drawing from the rich tapestry of our past to inform our present and future,” Shogan stated.

Contributors to ‘In Pursuit’ also include Chief Justice John Roberts and historians like Ken Burns and Michael Beschloss. Barack Obama explored the legacy of Abraham Lincoln through his writing.

Some of the project’s content raised interest in how history can be portrayed without political bias. Already, the essays have attracted over a million views on Substack. Shogan noted that the series meets a public demand for impartial historical perspectives. A documentary on the project is set to air on PBS this October.

The project includes lesser-known presidents like Millard Fillmore and Franklin Pierce. Fillmore, often considered a historic punchline, and Pierce, critiqued for his pro-slavery stance and struggles with Washington’s culture, are re-examined in their essays. Yale professor David W. Blight highlighted Pierce’s presidency amid adversity from Whig opponents.