Washington's character was rock solid. He came to stand for the new nation and its republican virtues, which was why he became our first President by unanimous choice.

During the Second World War, the Germans took four years to build the Atlantic Wall. On four beaches it held up the Allies for about an hour; at Omaha it held up the U.S. for less than one day. The Atlantic Wall must therefore be regarded as one of the greatest blunders in military history.

Nixon regarded himself as having been cheated by life. He never got my vote.

Eisenhower is my choice as the American of the 20th Century. Of all the men I've studied and written about, he is the brightest and the best.

The war in Vietnam I thought a dreadful mistake.

The American Constitution is the greatest governing document, and at some 7,000 words, just about the shortest.

My favorite book is the last one printed, which is always better than those that were published earlier.