Unvarnished History: Bill O’Reilly and Josh Hammer’s New Book Dives Into the Complex Truths and Mythology of American Presidents

In their latest literary collaboration, Confronting America, authors Bill O’Reilly and Josh Hammer argue that contemporary Americans have lost sight of the fundamental values that built the nation into a global land of opportunity. The authors contend that no government program can fix this cultural drift. Instead, O’Reilly asserts that "Americans need to wise up" and become willing to prioritize country and community over self-interest if the nation hopes to return to its former standing. As part of a bestselling historical and political series, the book strips away the glossy veneer of political folklore to examine the human flaws and complex realities of the nation’s most revered leaders.

The Real George Washington: Family Feuds and Financial Strife

Mythologizing presidents is hardly a modern phenomenon, though the media’s eager participation when a candidate fits a specific ideology has certainly evolved. Throughout American history, substantial exaggerations and outright folklore have routinely found their way into standard historical narratives.

George Washington stands universally as one of the greatest heroes in American history—a brilliant military general and a foundational president who worked tirelessly to establish the infant republic. Yet, the popular mythology surrounding Washington paints an almost impossibly pristine portrait: a man who allegedly never made a mistake, maintained an unshakeable good mood under all circumstances, and possessed a dashing, perspicacious demeanor coupled with endless kindness toward every animal he encountered.

The historical reality, however, offers a slightly different perspective. While Washington certainly earned his status as a first-rate national hero, historical records reveal a surprisingly strained familial relationship. According to accounts detailed in the historical series, Mary Ball Washington, the mother of the nation’s first president, genuinely did not like her son—a rift driven largely by money and financial expectations.

Following the death of her husband, Augustine, Mary remained on their vast Virginia estate, but she struggled to afford the heavy costs of maintaining the plantation. Looking for financial relief, she turned to her son George. However, the general frequently lacked personal cash on hand, as his wife, Martha Washington, largely controlled the family finances while the general was away fighting the British. This arrangement deeply displeased Mary Ball, who reportedly penned letters to local Virginia newspapers criticizing her son as "cheap" and "mean."

The public airing of family grievances heavily agitated General Washington. On February 15, 1787, he wrote directly to his mother, offering blunt advice: "My sincere, and pressing advice to you is, to break up housekeeping, hire out all the rest of your servants except a man and a maid and live with one of your Children. This would relieve you entirely from the cares of this world, and leave your mind at ease to reflect, undisturbedly on that which aught to come."

Mary Ball’s response was characteristically sharp, indicating her intention to simply move in with George and Martha at Mount Vernon. Washington quickly replied, explaining why the arrangement would prove disastrous. He noted that his home was constantly bustling with visitors, comparing it to "a well resorted tavern" where travelers passing from north to south would constantly drop in. He warned her that living there would force her to constantly dress for company, wander the halls in dishabille, or live essentially as a prisoner in her own chamber. The profound breach between George Washington and his mother never truly healed, and the nation’s first president ultimately did not attend her funeral.

Abraham Lincoln’s Complex Past Before the White House

Another towering figure subject to intense hagiography is Abraham Lincoln. While practicing law in Illinois during the antebellum era, Lincoln once represented a Kentucky slave owner named Robert Matson. Five of Matson’s slaves had traveled with him into Lincoln’s home state before absconding. Because Illinois was recognized as free soil, the chaotic legal dispute rapidly wound its way into the state court system.

During the proceedings, Lincoln argued that owners of "property"—the legal classification assigned to enslaved people at the time—should retain the right to take their "cargo" anywhere in the country without interference from local jurisdictions. Ultimately, Lincoln lost the case. The court ruled that slavery was a "contravention of the Illinois Constitution," and the Black family involved was officially declared free.

Such details are rarely highlighted in standard classroom discussions regarding Abraham Lincoln, who is overwhelmingly remembered through a saintly lens. That ultimate sacrifice, however, defined his legacy. President Lincoln ultimately lost his life because of his unyielding commitment to abolishing slavery in the United States. The pro-slavery actor John Wilkes Booth was motivated to assassinate Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., precisely because the president championed freedom for Black Americans. Historical accounts emphasize that the grueling demands of trying to end slavery and win the Civil War took a severe physical toll on Lincoln, cementing his status as one of the nation’s most consequential leaders.

The overarching lesson from these historical chapters is that human beings are capable of profound change and redemption. Yet, a deeper subtext remains: the foundational myths surrounding iconic Americans often eclipse the messy, complicated truths of their actual lives.

Theodore Roosevelt and the Trials of Parenthood

Perhaps some of the most colorful mythology surrounds Theodore Roosevelt, who actively disliked being called "Teddy" because the moniker reminded him of his physically frail and sickly childhood. Instead, associates addressed him as Theodore, Colonel, or Mr. President. Roosevelt was an extraordinary public figure who grappled with entirely ordinary, relatable domestic challenges.

His first wife, Alice, tragically died shortly after childbirth. His second wife, Edith, proved to be a dedicated mother, yet she struggled mightily to control their six rambunctious children—most notably their teenage eldest daughter, Alice Roosevelt, who was named after her deceased mother.

Young Alice functioned essentially as a juvenile delinquent long before the term was commonly used. To the absolute horror of her traditional Protestant father, she openly declared herself a "pagan," dismissing traditional Christianity as "sheer voodoo." Her social life caused constant consternation in Washington, D.C. Alice frequently accompanied unmarried young men through the city streets for late-night socializing, requiring intervention from local authorities who routinely returned her to the White House.

Unfazed by the reprimands, Alice resorted to sneaking young men into the executive mansion. She also developed a penchant for smoking cigarettes; when her parents banned the habit indoors, she took to the White House roof to indulge in secret.

President Theodore Roosevelt famously encapsulated the exhaustion of parenting his eldest child with a candid observation: "I can either run the country or I can control Alice, but I cannot possibly do both!"

The folklore surrounding Alice continued even as the Roosevelt family prepared to vacate the White House in 1909. Before leaving, she reportedly buried a voodoo doll representing the incoming First Lady, Nelly Taft, in the front yard. Upon moving in, the Tafts discovered the figurine and promptly banished Alice from the premises for the remainder of their administration. Adding to her legacy of mischief, Alice allegedly left behind a pet garter snake named "Emily Spinach" hidden somewhere within the White House living quarters.

The High Stakes of Historical Honesty

These historical episodes illustrate that accurate reporting and objective assessments of American presidents have consistently challenged political parties and the media alike. In the modern era, media bias and narrative crafting operate at unprecedented levels, making historical clarity more vital than ever.

While covering up presidential flaws constitutes a form of dishonesty, the stakes in contemporary political life demand complete transparency regarding the individuals entrusted with national power. As Confronting America contends, the widespread mythologizing of historical and political figures ultimately serves no one, obscuring the true character of leadership and the foundational realities of the nation’s past.