Thomas Jefferson, the U.S. Annexation of Cuba (And More)
Tuesday, February 25 2025
The United States has a long, tortured relationship with Cuba, including Thomas Jefferson’s imperial designs on the island. As Clay travels to Cuba this week to lead a cultural tour, he reflects on a bit of forgotten history between the U.S. and the island nation 90 miles from Key West, Florida.
- Published in Features
On the Trail of Lewis and Clark — Video Dispatch
Tuesday, February 18 2025
Clay details plans for his upcoming cross-country journey following Lewis and Clark’s celebrated 1805 -1806 expedition across the continent.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road, Video Dispatches, Videos
My John Steinbeck Tour: A Preliminary Report — What a Long, Strange Trip It’s Been
Tuesday, December 10 2024
Beginning in April 2024 and concluding just before Thanksgiving, Clay traveled over 21,000 miles and visited 41 states, roughly following John Steinbeck’s route as chronicled in Travels with Charley. Clay notes he undertook the cross-country journey partly to gain his own appraisal of America as it approaches its 250th birthday.
- Published in Features
Peaceful Transfer of Power: Then and Now
Tuesday, September 03 2024
Lindsay Chervinsky’s new book closely examines the dramatic events that shaped America’s pattern for the peaceful transfer of power.
- Published in Books
Happy Birthday Meriwether Lewis
Tuesday, August 20 2024
August 18 was Meriwether Lewis’ 250th birthday. Clay reflects on the short life of this protégée to President Jefferson and one of the nation’s most well-known explorers.
- Published in Features
Thoughts on Airstream Life — Living in Miniature
Monday, August 19 2024
Clay shares his thoughts on life on the road and living in a 184 square-foot portable home.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road
The Heroic and Problematic Legacy of Joseph Banks
Monday, June 10 2024
I was listening to an audio biography of Joseph Banks, the great British naturalist who sailed with Captain James Cook, who made Kew Gardens in Britain, and who was the president of the Royal Society — among much else, not all so admirable it turns out.
- Published in Features
Pondering Thomas Jefferson at Niagara Falls
Monday, May 27 2024
Thomas Jefferson said it is worth a trip across the Atlantic to see Niagara Falls. Although he never got there.
- Published in Dispatches from the Road
The US Presidency and What Can Be Lost Between Administrations
Monday, November 06 2023
What happens in the gap between one administration and the next, especially when the outgoing president is unavailable? This “leadership gap” has had an intriguing influence on U.S. History.
- Published in Features
President Jefferson and the Big Cheese
Tuesday, September 05 2023
The recent record-setting auction of a $32,000 Spanish cheese reminds Clay of the curious tale of Thomas Jefferson’s 1,235-pound Mammoth Cheese.
- Published in Features
- 1
- 2