Our fourth episode in our series on the presidency is with Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, the author of, "The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution."

Her book explains how early political battles led George Washington to create the cabinet as a board of advisors representing each of the Federal departments. She argues that although the cabinet itself is not explicitly called for in the Constitution, that George Washington recognized how important it was to soothe discord in the early republic. She explains how Washington ran his cabinet meetings, how the various secretaries battled, and how his management style lent itself to debate. She also explains how the modern cabinet could better serve the American citizens, the president and how George Washington's legacy is felt in this most-important tool in presidential authority. Dr. Chervinsky also explains how she would re-design the Washington Monument!

Dr. Chervinsky is reachable on Twitter @lmchervinsky

Her podcast, "The Past, The Promise, The Presidency" can be found at https://open.spotify.com/show/1CyEYg0713v7FdYfC2mOKh

Axelbank Reports History and Today is available on Twitter and Instagram @axelbankhistory

Here is a schedule of release dates for episodes as part of our series on the presidency:

***September 29th: James Poniewozik - "Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television and the Fracturing of America"

***September 29th: Steven Levingston - "Barack and Joe: The Making of an Extraordinary Partnership"

***October 6th: Stephen Knott - "The Lost Soul of the American Presidency: The Decline into Demagoguery and the Prospects for Renewal"

***October 13th: Lindsay Chervinsky - "The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution"

***October 20th: A.J. Baime - "Dewey Defeats Truman: The 1948 Election and the Battle for America's Soul"

***October 27th: Jeremi Suri - "The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America's Highest Office"

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