Serve to Lead® | James Strock

David S. Brown | 'In the Arena: Theodore Roosevelt in War, Peace, and Revolution'

David S. Brown is a prolific author who applies academic rigor and a literary sensibility to illuminate key moments and personalities through American history.His highly praised new book, In the Arena: Theodore Roosevelt in War, Peace, and Revolution, analyzes a leader like no other in a time very much like our own.In this wide-ranging discussion, Brown analyzes Roosevelt’s “complex” mix of conservative and radical views, his protean personality, and how we can apply history to the challenges of our time.Publisher’s SummaryFrom acclaimed historian and author of the “marvelous” (The New York Times Book Review) The Last American Aristocrat comes a captivating new biography of Teddy Roosevelt, exploring the life of America’s 26th president and his pivotal role in shaping the dawn of the American Century.Theodore Roosevelt was one of America’s most fascinating presidents—a complex man both publicly and privately. In this sweeping biography, historian David S. Brown takes us on an electrifying journey through Theodore Roosevelt’s life—from his privileged New York upbringing to his transformative presidency that reshaped America’s role on the global stage.In the Arena vividly brings Roosevelt to life as a man of striking contradictions: a rugged outdoorsman with a love for books, a war hero who earned a Nobel Peace Prize, and a larger-than-life figure whose energy seemed boundless. Through compelling storytelling and meticulous research, Brown explores the pivotal moments that forged Roosevelt’s indomitable spirit, from battling childhood asthma to witnessing the deaths of both his mother and his wife on the same day, to wrangling cattle in the West and preserving 150 million acres of national land.Challenging traditional views, In the Arena offers a fresh perspective on Roosevelt’s groundbreaking political legacy, including his Square Deal policies that laid the groundwork for modern social welfare programs. It also unpacks his bold foreign policy, which expanded America’s global influence and set the stage for its rise as a world power. Brown argues that Roosevelt’s charisma and performative presidency helped bridge the old Victorian values with the new industrial age, capturing the attention of the middle-class and making him a leader that the people loved.Drawing comparisons to works like David McCullough’s Mornings on Horseback, Brown’s narrative stands out for its rich detail and sharp insights. More than just an account of a presidency—it’s an exploration of a life lived on the edge of greatness and is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand this critical period of American history.Critical Acclaim“[Brown] portrays our 26th president fully, covering his maverick spirit as a soldier and statesman, but also the lifelong racism that influenced some of his policies.” —Bethanne Patrick, The Los Angeles Times“In the Arena gives us what no other book on Theodore Roosevelt has accomplished: critical perspective relevant for today. Written with heart and superlative skill, David S. Brown details the personal experiences that molded Roosevelt, and in turn shaped the future of domestic and global politics. Brown is a fearless biographer, unafraid to dive into the contradictions and dark moments that make up the complexity of Roosevelt’s life and legacy. Brimming with insight, In the Arena brilliantly weaves together an intimate portrait of Roosevelt with the fate of the United States.” —Nathalia Holt, New York Times bestselling author of Rise of the Rocket Girls and The Beast in the Clouds“Following his splendid biography of Andrew Jackson, David S. Brown turns to that other great Disruptor-in-Chief, Theodore Roosevelt, and the result is a masterful new life of the 26th president. Elegantly written and smartly paced, In the Arena unpacks the brilliance and bluster—and compassion and cruelty—that made TR the dizzying force he was. Brown is a cool customer of a biographer; he doesn’t get seduced by TR’s many charms, but he doesn’t succumb to easy censure, either. What he does, instead, is very deftly place TR among the events that shaped the man and his nation as they charged headlong into the 20th century. This book is as illuminating as it is entertaining, and as timely—given current American disruptions—as it is both of those.” —Jim Rasenberger, author of Revolver: Sam Colt and the Six-Shooter That Changed America“A study of Theodore Roosevelt that doesn’t shy from the less palatable sides of his views and character.” —Kirkus Reviews“A magnificent book that puts Theodore Roosevelt back into the context of his times while revealing his relevance to our own. With the energy that brought the Rough Rider to the heights of both San Juan and American politics, David S. Brown packs this great American story into a one-volume biography for the ages.” —Jonathan Horn, author of The Fate of the Generals: MacArthur, Wainwright, and the Epic Battle for the PhilippinesAbout the AuthorDavid S. Brown teaches history at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. He is the author of eight books, including In the Arena: Theodore Roosevelt in War, Peace, and Revolution; A Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War; The First Populist: The Defiant Life of Andrew Jackson; The Last American Aristocrat: The Brilliant Life and Improbable Education of Henry Adams; and biographies of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Richard Hofstadter.The New Nationalist™ is an independent, non-partisan publication advocating political reform. Your support makes this project possible and is greatly appreciated. Get full access to The New Nationalist™ at jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe

Philip K Howard-3 | 'Saving Can-Do: How to Revive the Spirit of America'

PHILIP K. HOWARD is a distinguished lawyer, best-selling author, and proven civic leader. He is chair of Common Good, a nonpartisan organization aimed at simplifying government.In his new book, Saving Can-Do: How to Revive the Spirit of America, Howard untangles the gordian knot of populism and broken governance seizing up the American experiment as we approach our 250th anniversary. Get full access to The New Nationalist™ at jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe

Samuel George | 'Lithium Rising: The Race for Critical Minerals'

Critical minerals are the new oil—and the global competition for the clean energy future is on.As nations around the world transition toward a cleaner, more diversified portfolio of energy sources, the spotlight is turning to critical minerals.Lithium and other minerals have uses from electric vehicles and e-bikes to smartphones, computers, medical devices, and drones.The implications are far-reaching:—how should environmental costs and benefits be calculated?—how should we evaluate environmental safeguards in the US and other developed nations that restrict mining and refining of critical minerals?—how should the economic, cultural, and human rights of people in the vicinity of critical mineral exploration and development be protected, including in the Global South?—what are the implications for an intensifying, multifaceted competition with China?Filmmaker Samuel George examines these and other issues in his soon-to-be released documentary, “Lithium Rising: The Race for Critical Minerals.”The accompanying book is out now, available as a free pdf from the Bertelsmann Foundation.About Samuel GeorgeDr. Samuel George is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and analyst for the Bertelsmann Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, DC.Samuel’s documentaries bring viewers up close and personal to people and communities facing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, offering candid perspectives that allow viewers to draw their own conclusions. His films focus on the intersection of politics, economics, social issues, and daily life. Three of his films have in syndication on PBS, and a number of others are available on streaming services. All films are freely available online from the Bertelsmann Foundation.George graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Oberlin College in 2007, and a Master’s Degree in International Economics and Latin American Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in 2012. He completed a PhD at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in 2024.Image Credits | Samuel George Films. Get full access to The New Nationalist™ at jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe

Luke Nichter | Trump at 6 Months: A Preliminary Assessment

We are in the midst of a series of transformations—political, financial, economic, international, and cultural. At the center of our public affairs for the past decade—for better or worse or a bit of both depending on your point of view—is President Donald Trump.New York Times reporter Peter Baker said in 2025, “Trump is the most powerful president of our lifetime.”At the six-month point of Trump’s second term—like Grover Cleveland’s, discontinuous from his first—how do we evaluate Trump and his administration? In this episode of the Serve to Lead Podcast, presidential historian Luke Nichter offers his highly informed, judicious perspective. Get full access to The New Nationalist™ at jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe

Eric Storm | 'Nationalism: A World History'

University of Chicago political scientist John Mearsheimer argues that “Nationalism is the most powerful political ideology on the planet.”Nationalism is flaring across the world in the 2020s. The Russia-Ukraine War can be comprehended as a contest of competing nationalist visions. Nationalist themes are rising in the politics of the United States and United Kingdom, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Turkey, Israel, India, and China.Nationalist sentiment is surging even in Canada, in response to President Trump’s rhetorical and trade war.In this episode of the Serve to Lead Podcast, historian Eric Storm discusses his important, timely, and readable new book, Nationalism: A World History. Get full access to The New Nationalist™ at jamesstrock.substack.com/subscribe