Jonathan Horn

Author of THE FATE OF THE GENERALS (Scribner, April 15, 2025). Previous books include THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT BE WASHINGTON. Former White House speechwriter.

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

Was so honored to see this story about my new book, "The Fate of the Generals," on @cbssaturday this weekend. If you missed it, watch the full story here about General Jonathan Wainwright, the highest-ranking American POW of WWII. @CBSNews @ScribnerBooks https://t.co/Bv6vGejWBI

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

@SeanDurns Thanks for reading!

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

As Jefferson looked back on the Declaration later in life, he said he had intended the words “to be an expression of the American mind.” The magic is they still are. My latest for @TheFP. Plus, remembering Gordon Wood and @southernphd 's touching tribute. https://t.co/n5XoEJKxwi

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

As Jefferson looked back on the Declaration later in life, he said he had intended the words “to be an expression of the American mind.” The magic is they still are. My latest for @TheFP. Plus, remembering Gordon Wood and @southernphd 's touching tribute. https://t.co/n5XoEJKxwi

[Bob Elder @southernphd]

I never met Gordon Wood, but I have a story about him.

In one of my grad school seminars, we read Wood’s Creation of the American Republic. The sheer erudition and evidentiary depth of the book bowled me over.

Back then, before kids and before life accelerated to warp speed, I used to call my mother every Sunday to catch up. Lots of times, we ended up talking about what I was reading that week in my grad seminars or for leisure. Mom had an omnivorous mind, and she was always looking for something else to read. She was a true intellectual—curious about almost everything, always eager to integrate new arguments or ideas into her existing schemas of how the world worked or to have those schemas challenged and changed.

When we talked that particular Sunday, I think I tried to describe to her part of Wood’s argument about the relationship between the state constitutions during the Articles of Confederation era and the federal Constitution. Maybe I was tired, maybe I didn’t completely understand her questions, but the end result of the conversation was that Mom had questions about Wood’s argument that I didn’t answer satisfactorily. I told her that she should probably just read the book, and we said goodbye.

She did eventually read the book, but the next Sunday, Mom started our conversation by saying, “Well, I had a lovely conversation with Gordon Wood this week.” For a split second, I thought she was joking, but then I remembered who I was dealing with. I started to sweat. “How?” I asked. A whole variety of unlikely scenarios in which the foremost historian of the American Revolution and my mother, who lived in Wichita, Kansas, might have met ran through my mind. “Oh, I just looked up his office phone number on Brown’s website and called, and he picked up!” Mom said. I decided I would have to find another profession.

As it ended up, Gordon Wood spent about an hour on the phone with my mother answering her questions about the Constitution. Ever since, I’ve had a soft spot for the man when I imagine him picking up the phone in Providence and finding Becky Elder from Wichita on the other end of the line. His generosity in that moment spoke very well of him.

Rest in peace, professor.

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

The real suspense 250 years ago was not over whether the Continental Congress would approve the document drafted by Jefferson but over whether delegates would approve a resolution written by another Virginian, Richard Henry Lee. Check out my latest for @TheFP. Plus, John Adams on the fate of of millions and @ByronYork on the fate of the Great American State Fair. https://t.co/R7G2DiZdX3

[Scribner @ScribnerBooks]

Don’t miss Jim Rasenberger, author of A PERFECT COINCIDENCE, in conversation with Jonathan Horn at Politics and Prose on June 9! Details here: https://t.co/eiqc6N5uRc

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

The story of the general who became the highest-ranking American POW of WWII and his long-suffering wife, who became a prisoner of an enemy of a different kind. My latest for @TheFP about the odyssey of the two Wainwrights: Jonathan Mayhew and Adele. https://t.co/uWZ3gopCH1

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

The story of the general who became the highest-ranking American POW of WWII and his long-suffering wife, who became a prisoner of an enemy of a different kind. My latest for @TheFP about the odyssey of the two Wainwrights: Jonathan Mayhew and Adele. https://t.co/uWZ3gopCH1

[The Free Press @TheFP]

John Adams’ maneuvering at the Continental Congress brought the independence debate to a head 250 years ago this week, writes Jonathan Horn. https://t.co/D8WCS8ghsm

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

With Trump claiming the old plans for the Arlington Memorial Bridge allow for his 250 ft arch, it's worth a look back at the history. The original plan called for 2 columns that would have framed the Lincoln Memorial, not blocked it. See my story in @TheFP https://t.co/15IZ3JHauJ

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

With Trump claiming the old plans for the Arlington Memorial Bridge allow for his 250 ft arch, it's worth a look back at the history. The original plan called for 2 columns that would have framed the Lincoln Memorial, not blocked it. See my story in @TheFP https://t.co/15IZ3JHauJ

[The Washington Post @washingtonpost]

Breaking news: The Trump administration does not plan to seek approval from Congress for President Trump’s planned 250-foot arch, arguing that they do not need it because lawmakers a century ago authorized a somewhat similar project that was never built. https://t.co/z3EEINAckw

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

A Declaration of Independence in May 1776? John Adams believed the Continental Congress had done exactly that. My latest for @TheFP https://t.co/qNoviASctx

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

A Declaration of Independence in May 1776? John Adams believed the Continental Congress had done exactly that. My latest for @TheFP https://t.co/qNoviASctx

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

There was once a regime that clung to power by seizing ships on a vital artery of trade, enslaving and holding hostage sailors, and demanding the US pay huge sums as part of peace deals certain to be broken. My latest for the @TheFP on the Barbary pirates. https://t.co/6EnrWEHeJ3

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

@Martin_Kramer @TheFP Thanks, and thanks for sharing this with me.

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

There was once a regime that clung to power by seizing ships on a vital artery of trade, enslaving and holding hostage sailors, and demanding the US pay huge sums as part of peace deals certain to be broken. My latest for the @TheFP on the Barbary pirates. https://t.co/6EnrWEHeJ3

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

Thanks for reading and for the kind words.

[IrishStorm @StormIrish2137]

Finished Fate of the Generals by @JonathanDHorn. A deep, unflinching look at MacArthur and Wainwright in the Philippines. Part biography and part overview of the war in the Pacific and completely interesting. The good, the bad, and the ugly are covered here. I highly recommend!

[Jonathan Horn @JonathanDHorn]

The two gigantic columns that the architect of the Memorial Bridge wanted to build at its terminus would have perfectly framed the Lincoln Memorial as viewed from Arlington House. Trump’s 250ft arch would almost totally block the view. My latest for @thefp https://t.co/15IZ3JHauJ