Oral History with Walter Frank

Walter Frank, who moved to Princeton in 1986, recalls the 1976 US Bicentennial with fondness, highlighting the tall ships and fireworks viewed from the World Trade Center. He contrasts that optimistic time with the current political climate, noting the rise of extreme voices and the lack of bipartisan cooperation. Frank expresses concern about the future, drawing parallels to the pre-Civil War era, and laments the careerization of politics. He believes ideals from 1776 are absent in modern politics, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and cooperation between parties. Frank also mentions his upcoming book on antebellum America.