Meet Local Author and Presidential Historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky at her New Book Launch
Renown Presidential Historian to Discuss Her New Book on How America’s Second President John Adams Ensured Survival of the New Republic
Alexandria, VA – You might know Lindsay Chervinsky from the neighborhood. She and her husband, Jake, reside in Del Ray with their ten-and-a-half-year-old rescue dog, John Quincy Dog Adams.
They’ve been locals since 2020. “We love how dog-friendly the neighborhood is, and how walkable. I sometimes go days and days without using a car,” said Chervinsky with a laugh. “I also love the coffee shops and the restaurants. It all feels safe and friendly.”
In addition to being a Del Ray dog mom, she’s a pretty famous presidential historian, author, and professional speaker. In fact, her first book was the award-winning The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution.
Her passion for George Washington will greatly benefit her in her new position as Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon. Dr. Chervinsky is one of the nation’s most respected presidential scholars and recently joined the Washington Library after serving as a senior non-residential Fellow at the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University and a historian at the White House Historical Association.
Chervinsky’s latest book, Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic, which becomes available on September 5, brings John Adams to life and gives readers more insight into the man than ever before. “Most biographers treat Adams’ presidency as a low point for him,” Chervinsky told Zebra. “He lost re-election, he was sandwiched between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and his contentious relationship with Jefferson and Hamilton did not help. Those two did a lot of public relations work to smear his presidency.”
Chervinsky calls Adam straightforward and thinks if he lived today, he’d be a political favorite because he was emotionally transparent, and honest, despite being a bit erratic.
When President Washington announced his retirement in 1796, questions emerged about whether the new nation would survive without Washington at the helm. Experienced statesman John Adams was elected America’s second president, but the problems plaguing the fledging new nation were more significant than he feared.
Adams faced seemingly insurmountable odds as he navigated pandemics, political violence, attacks from foreign powers, threats to freedom of speech and the press, and a hostile cabinet.
You can find Chervinsky’s new work on September 5 anywhere you regularly buy books, and the audiobook will also be available. “I did the narration myself this time around.” It took four days, but despite it being harder than she anticipated, “it was more rewarding than I thought it would be. I’m planning to always do my own audio for any future books I write.”
To meet Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, plan to attend her upcoming book launch for a discussion and book signing at Mount Vernon on Thursday, September 12th at 7:00 PM. (Registration is required: https://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/calendar/events/ford-evening-book-talk-making-presidency)
Philanthropist, business leader, author, and interviewer David Rubinstein, praises the book, saying, “Those who want to know more about the extraordinary—but often unsung—talents and accomplishments of John Adams should read this well-written and thoroughly entertaining book that brings to life the complicated personality and immense talents of our second president.”
Chenisky also regularly writes for public audiences in the Wall Street Journal, Ms. Magazine, The Daily Beast, The Bulwark, Time Magazine, USA Today, CNN, and the Washington Post.
