Past Events – Speaker Series: May 3, 2026 Gerald Henig – America’s Presidents: What Your History Teacher Never Told You

“America’s Presidents: What Your History Teacher Never Told You”, was a jaw-dropper

Vera Kochan Review

The much-anticipated May 3 speaker event for Moraga Historical Society members and guests entertained a captive audience. Held at the Casita on the grounds of Hacienda de las Flores, and based on the book “America’s Presidents: What Your History Teacher Never Told You” by Gerald S. Henig, attendees were regaled with decades-worth of research containing little-known facts about former United States presidents.

Henig is a professor emeritus of history at California State University, East Bay where he has received the Outstanding Professor Award and won the Pi Kappa Delta Best Lecturer Award an unprecedented four times. He has published dozens of articles on American political, social, and military history, and has authored several books.

His latest book, “America’s Presidents”, has received rave reviews, and Henig has spent nearly 40 years researching historical facts in order to write it. Unfortunately for the audience, due to time constraints, a mere tip of history’s iceberg was presented when it came to outrageous presidential behavior, crazy decisions, and scandalous sexual antics.

George Washington never wanted to become the first president of the United States having felt that his military contribution to the American Revolution was enough. General Dwight D. Eisenhower stated, “I’m a soldier, and… I have no political ambitions at all.” Harry Truman never wanted the job, but when President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) suffered a stroke while in office Truman, as the vice president, had to step up to the plate.

Some candidates were prepared to do almost anything to get elected to the highest office in the land. Besides Richard M. Nixon’s great Watergate debacle, “Tricky Dick” tried to sabotage the 1968 peace talks concerning the Vietnam War.

Despite the fact that FDR guided the country through The Great Depression by being a champion of the people (creating Social Security, minimum wages, and insuring bank accounts), he was reluctant to let the American people know that he had polio. Having fallen to its debilitating effects on the body at the age of 39, FDR did his best to hide his “weakness” and requested that the media not photograph him in such a way that his wheelchair would be visible.

Lyndon Baines Johnson was not well liked by his staff. He constantly demeaned them and was considered by many to be “a bully, sadist, lout, and egotist.” He was also an exhibitionist using every opportunity to take off his clothes, such as nude pool parties, or requiring staff to follow him into the bathroom while he did his business. He was also guilty of extramarital affairs; one in particular lasted several years.

And speaking of presidential affairs, John F. Kennedy’s numbered in the thousands. While many of his dalliances were and continue to be public knowledge, the number and frequency is more than astounding. He recruited members of his staff to seek out women who were willing to cavort with him to the extent that even females who took the White House tours were also propositioned. All of this while he suffered from a bad back (which comes as no surprise to this writer).

Henig enjoyed giving his presentation and speaking with MHS members so much that he has agreed to return with another interesting historical topic in the future. For those that didn’t get a chance to purchase his book, he will bring more copies when he returns.

MHS wishes to thank Henig for his time and expertise, and we look forward to seeing him soon!