Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama have joined a distinguished roster of historians to contribute essays for the "In Pursuit" project, a new historical series curated by Colleen Shogan, the U.S. Archivist. The initiative aims to explore lessons from 250 years of American history through writings about presidents and first ladies. While the current political landscape features President Donald Trump prominently in public discourse, he is not explicitly mentioned in these essays. Instead, the contributors focus on historical precedents that reflect broader themes regarding power, democracy, and institutional integrity.
Historical Lessons Without Modern Partisanship
The project was designed to transcend contemporary political divisions. Shogan instructed all writers to avoid partisan or ideological tones, a guideline she notes was taken very seriously by the contributors. The goal is for Americans of all backgrounds to find value in these historical reflections. "The mission... is to surface the lessons from the past 250 years of American history," Shogan explained, describing the effort as debriefing the American story to help plan for the present and future.
Focus on Humility and Institutional Loyalty
In his essay released around Presidents Day, George W. Bush focused on George Washington, highlighting the first president's decision to step down from power twice. Bush wrote that Washington’s humility in giving up power willingly remains one of the most consequential examples in American politics. Similarly, retired General Stanley McChrystal analyzed Ulysses S. Grant, emphasizing a commitment to principles over personal loyalty and resistance to aligning with political factions rather than the Constitution.
Broad Roster of Contributors
The "In Pursuit" series features contributions from Chief Justice John Roberts, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Karl Rove, Ken Burns, and Michael Beschloss. The essays cover 43 presidents and 30 first ladies chronologically through December. Trump and current President Joe Biden were excluded as being too recent for historical appraisal by this standard. Shogan, who was fired from her role in February 2025 without explanation, continues to oversee the project's nonpartisan alliance of presidential centers.
Public Engagement and Historical Context
The series has generated significant public interest, with over one million cumulative views on Substack. Shogan attributes this engagement to a hunger for history free from partisan slant. The essays also highlight lesser-known figures like Millard Fillmore and Franklin Pierce, offering nuanced perspectives on their presidencies. A documentary about the project is scheduled to air on PBS in October.
