About Mike Purdy

 


101 Presidential Insults: What They Really Thought About Each Other – and What It Means to Us

June 7, 2019

From the founding fathers to the age of Trump, our presidents have dished out pointed and acerbic insults about other presidents. The presidents have labeled one another as dangerous, ignorant, liars, obstinate, selfish, unfit, vain, and weak.

We may laugh or wince as we read 101 Presidential Insults. Meticulously researched by presidential historian Mike Purdy, the book is a quick and fun read, but also thought-provoking and shocking at times – and a significant contribution to our understanding of the presidents.

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Book cover: Presidential Friendships - How they Changed History. Two hands shaking in front of the White House

Presidential Friendships: How They Changed History

August 3, 2022

The story of two pairs of presidential friendships, each involving a Roosevelt who powerfully shaped and expanded the presidency in the 20th century.

Many of our presidents knew each other personally and were friends with one another. These friendships opened new political opportunities that wouldn’t have otherwise existed, significantly shaping their mutual careers. They provided important continuity between administrations, helping practices and ideas transcend generations. In short, friendships between U.S. presidents have changed the course of history.

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I am regularly interviewed by both national and international media about presidential history and politics, and have been quoted in newspapers, online, and have been interviewed on television and radio, including the following:

  • KING 5 News (Seattle, Washington)
  • The Inauguration of Joe Biden, Live TV Interview via Zoom with Steve Bunin, January 20, 2021.
  • Joe Biden’s Challenges and Donald Trump’s Legacy, Live TV Interview via Zoom with Greg Copeland, January 20, 2021.
  • KTOO 104.3 FM (Juneau, Alaska)
  • Peeved Presidents, Live 15 minute radio interview on Juneau Afternoon with Sheli DeLaney, July 3, 2019. Bottom audio clip.
  • Time Magazine
  • President Obama is Now Campaigning for His Legacy, by Maya Rhodan, October 10, 2016 (I was interviewed by Time Magazine for this article and provided background information that was used in the article, but I was not directly quoted)
  • VEJA Magazine (Brazil)
  • E Agora, Democracia?, (And Now, Democracy?), January 25, 2017, by Nathalia Watkins.  Published in Portuguese

I do frequent speaking on presidential history and politics to academic, business, and community audiences. Contact me if you’re interested in me speaking to your group.

  • Tense Transitions of Presidential Power, Sponsored by the Tacoma Public Library via Zoom, January 14, 2021.
  • Book talk and signing of my book, 101 Presidential Insults: What They Really Thought About Each Other – and What It Means to Us, Co-sponsored by the Seattle Public Library and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society for their Words, Writers & SouthWest Stories series, Southwest Branch Library, Seattle, Washington, November 14, 2019. Watch video.
  • 2020: Battle for the Soul of America, University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, Washington). Seven community lectures providing historical insight and contemporary analysis.  Presented with political scientist Dr. Michael Artime.
  • Book talk and signing of my book, 101 Presidential Insults: What They Really Thought About Each Other – and What It Means to Us, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, September 26, 2019.
  • Book talk and signing of my book, 101 Presidential Insults: What They Really Thought About Each Other – and What It Means to Us, Seattle Parks Department Lifelong Recreation Program, High Point Community Center, September 24, 2019.
  • Words Matter: Presidential Insults and Civility, Tacoma, Washington Narrows Rotary Club, July 30, 2019
  • Book Talk and Signing: 101 Presidential Insults, Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 19, 2019
  • Book Talk and Signing: 101 Presidential Insults, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington, May 3, 2019
  • Words Matter: Presidential Insults and Civility, Rotary Club of Des Moines and Normandy Park, Washington, May 1, 2019
  • All About the Presidents, Presentation and Q&A with Ms. Heidi Mallory’s 8th grade U.S. History class at Murray Middle School in Murray, KY. Flashchat sponsored by DreamWakers. January 17, 2019. 40 minutes.
  • Perfect Storm! Why Trump Won, City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Lifelong Learning Program, October 16, 2018. I was only able to record the last 9 minutes (technical difficulties!) of the speech on “5 Threats to American Democracy”. Watch video.
  • History of Presidential Campaigning, Guest lecturer at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, October 15, 2018.
  • History Matters, Interview with The Clio Foundation at the Organization of American Historians Annual Convention, Sacramento, California, April 12, 2018.
  • Oral History Interview with The Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas, Texas on August 28, 2017 of my early recollections of President John F. Kennedy and his assassination, his enduring popularity and legacy, and reflections on my visit to Dealey Plaza on July 9, 2017. Interview conducted by Stephen Fagin, Curator of the Museum. 42 minutes. @2017 The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. All Rights Reserved. All reproduction requests must be submitted to www.jfk.org.
  • Who Will Win the White House? University of Puget Sound (Tacoma, Washington). Ten community lectures providing historical insight and contemporary analysis. Presented with political scientist Dr. Michael Artime.
    • The Long Road to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. January 21, 2016. Watch video
    • Who Wants to be President? February 18, 2016. Watch video
    • What do the Candidates Believe? March 10, 2016. Watch video
    • What Voters & States Will Elect the Next President? March 24, 2016. Watch video
    • How Accurate Are the Polls? April 14, 2016. Watch video
    • Media, Marketing, & the Making of the President, April 28, 2016. Watch video
    • The Last Primaries: Who Will Win the Nominations? June 7, 2016. Watch video
    • The Current State of the Presidential Race, September 19, 2016. Watch video
    • The Final Sprint to the White House, October 24, 2016. Watch video
    • Scorched Earth: Making Sense of the 2016 Political Storm, November 14, 2016. Watch video
  • One for the History Books: The 2016 Presidential Campaign. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (Lakewood, Washington). Four community lectures.
    • Unprecedented Campaign. October 5, 2016
    • Media & Marketing. October 12, 2016
    • Voting & the Electoral College. October 26, 2016
    • The Answers We Seek. November 2, 2016
  • Reflections on the Presidential Election. Bethany Presbyterian Church (Seattle, Washington). November 20, 2016.
  • The Final Sprint to the White House. Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington). Community lecture. October 25, 2016.
  • The Impact of Televised Presidential Debates. Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington). Political science class guest lecturer. October 5, 2016.
  • One for the History Books: The 2016 Presidential Campaign. Franke Toby Jones Retirement Community (Tacoma, Washington). September 28, 2016.
  • The Current State of the Presidential Race. Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington). Community lecture. September 19, 2016.
  • Fasten Your Seat Belt: Historical Reflections and Contemporary Analysis of the 2016 Race for the White House. Gig Harbor Mid-Day Rotary Club (Gig Harbor, Washington). July 26, 2016.
  • The Truth About Presidential Elections Past & Present. Gig Harbor Super Business Group (Gig Harbor, Washington). July 13, 2016.
  • The Character and Relationships of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Waggoner Road Junior High School (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) lecture for Jamie Lesesky’s class via Skype. March 10, 2015.
  • Barely Avoiding Disaster: Lessons Learned from the White House Reconstruction During Harry Truman’s Presidency
    • Central Ohio Organization of Public Purchasers (Columbus, Ohio). September 20, 2018. Click to watch 50 minute video.
    • Washington State Bar Association (Seattle, Washington). February 25, 2016.
    • National Procurement Institute (Las Vegas, Nevada). October 13, 2015.
    • National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (Minneapolis, Minnesota). October 2, 2015.
    • Washington Association of School Business Officials (Spokane, Washington). May 7, 2015.
    • Construction Specifications Institute (Seattle, Washington). April 21, 2015.
  • How the Friendship and Dogfight Between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft Impacted the Presidential Elections of 1908 and 1912. Whitworth University (Spokane, Washington). September 26, 2013.
  • Dramaturg for “1776” at Seattle Musical Theatre, Fall 2008.
  • The Unmaking of the President – with Dr. Michael Artime
    • 1 – 5 Ways Trump May Leave the White House Before His Term is Complete, May 22, 2107, 34 minutes. Listen to Audio
    • 2 – The Moral Courage Edition, June 7, 2017, 33 minutes. Listen to Audio
    • 3 – The Apprentice President Edition, June 21, 2017, 43 minutes. Listen to Audio
    • 4 – The Modern Day Presidential Edition, July 6, 2017, 39 minutes. Listen to Audio
    • 5 – The Eighth is Enough Edition, July 19, 2017, 24 minutes. Listen to Audio
    • 6 – The Donald in Wonderland, August 21, 2017, 37 minutes.  Listen to Audio
    • 7 – Punish or Pardon, September 5, 2017, 41 minutes.  Listen to Audio
    • 8 – The Enemies List Edition, September 25, 2017, 31 minutes.  Listen to Audio
    • 9 –  The Taxing Days for the GOP Edition, November 14, 2017, 41 minutes.  Listen to Audio
    • 10 – The Beginning of the End? Edition, April 23, 2018, 46 minutes, Listen to Audio
    • 11 – The Red or Blue Wave Edition?, October 15, 2018, 51 minutes, Listen to Audio
  • 101 Presidential Insults and the Need for Civility, May 19, 2019, God Help Us podcast with host Annie Mesaros

Publishers frequently request that I read and review new books prior to or close to publication.

 

Presidential Historian Mike Purdy

Mike Purdy

As a presidential historian and the author of 101 Presidential Insults: What They Really Thought About Each Other – and What It Means to Us (June 7, 2019), I have had a lifelong fascination and interest in the presidents that dates back more than 50 years to my first presidential memory – of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. When I was 8 years old, I memorized all the presidents in order (reciting their names in ten seconds!).

I established this website and my award-winning presidential history blog to make history accessible. (PR Newswire for Journalists, Beyond Bylines selected my blog as their top “Presidential Blogs We Love” in February 2018.)  I am a frequent commentator on presidential history and politics for national and international media outlets including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Today.com, Reuters, Bloomberg BNA, The Huffington Post, and BBC. I am also a regular opinion contributor to TheHill.com.

Over the years, I’ve read many, many biographies and books about the presidents – and still have many more to read from my library of more than 600 presidential biographies!

I have a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration and an MBA, both from the University of Puget Sound, and a master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

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