Darien Library – Author Talk: Laurence Jurdem, “41 – George H. W. Bush and the End of the American Establishment”

Darien Library is thrilled to welcome back local author and historian, Laurence Jurdem, Ph.D., who will discuss his new book, 41: George H. W. Bush and the End of the American Establishment.

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The book is a call for a restoration of professionalism in American government, as illustrated by the life of President George H. W. Bush.

George H. W. Bush is often regarded as the most well-prepared president ever to occupy the Oval Office. Though raised in a world of privilege, Bush was grounded in the belief that character and achievement were essential to serve the common good. In today’s political landscape, these motivations are hardly prided as hallmarks of a great leader—and our nation is experiencing the consequences of these qualities falling out of vogue.

Over the course of his education, military service, business career, and decades in public life, Bush absorbed lessons from those around him, shaping a worldview rooted in service, humility, and competence. 41: George H. W. Bush and the End of the American Establishment is not only a study of what Bush learned from mentors and colleagues, but also a reflection on why experience and expertise remain vital to effective presidential leadership.

About the Author
Laurence Jurdem, Ph.D., is currently a visiting assistant professor of history at Fairfield University. He is also the author of The Rough Rider and the Professor: Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, and the Friendship that Changed American History, and Paving the Way for Reagan: The Influence of Conservative Media on U.S. Foreign Policy. A frequent writer on American politics, his articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the San Francisco Chronicle. His newest book, 41: George H. W. Bush and the End of the American Establishment, was published in May 2026. He lives in Connecticut.