May 18, 2026: Mark your calendar for May 30 when historian and author David O. Stewart teaches us about the “The Democracy We Must Keep” at Elaine’s Literary Salon
Monday Morning Magic from Inkandescent® PR + Publishing Co. — It’s a pleasure to introduce you to historian and author David O. Stewart, who has published eleven award-winning and best-selling books of history and historical novels. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Washington Independent Review of Books.
A trial and appellate lawyer for many years, David has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington Independent Review of Books, was a reporter for the Staten Island Advance, and for 10 years wrote the monthly Supreme Court column for the American Bar Association Journal. He has also done on-air commentary for CNN, C-SPAN, Bloomberg News, and MSNBC.
David’s new book is The Democracy We Must Keep: Seven Founders, Nine Documents, and the Ideas That Shaped America. In it, he explores the words and ideas of Tom Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, George Washington, and others, and whether we are living up to them. His most recent fictional series, the Overstreet Saga, is inspired by family stories his mother told. Learn more about his books below.
Learn more: www.ElainesLiterarySalon.com • Located at Elaine’s restaurant: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA 22314
Meet David in person at Elaine’s Literary Salon on May 30 (located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA). He will be interviewed by our host, Jeffrey James Higgins, about his new books, his journey to authorship, and what inspired him to write. Get your free ticket here: www.evite.com
Until next Monday: May your dreams be big and your journey fascinating. — Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and president, Inkandescent® Inc. Inkandescent.us
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Join us at Elaine’s Literary Salon for our Author Event with David O. Stewart
Author David O. Stewart
Agenda for tonight’s event:
- 6pm: Meet, greet, and order food and drinks from Elaine’s award-winning menu
- 7pm: Our 45-minute interview begins, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the audience to be produced on our popular podcast and video series
- 8pm: Guests talk with the author, buy David’s books, and get them signed!
Meet David O. Stewart on May 30 at Elaine’s Literary Salon
About The Democracy We Must Keep:
What did America’s founders say about democracy—and can we remain true to their vision for America?
Two hundred fifty years ago, passionate men attempted to create something the world had never seen before: a nation built not on kings or armies, but on ideas where the people ruled.
In The Democracy We Must Keep, historian David O. Stewart takes readers inside the nine key documents that shaped the formation of the United States—from Patrick Henry’s thunderous cry for liberty to the carefully crafted design of a government chosen by the people, with limits on all officials holding power under the Constitution.
Through the words of seven visionary founders—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, and others—Stewart shows how a fragile experiment in self-government took shape.
These men were not saints. They argued passionately. They worried that the new nation might fall apart. Yet together, they forged the principles that must still define American democracy: That power must be limited. That leaders must answer to the people. That individual rights must be protected by law.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, The Democracy We Must Keep urges readers to rediscover core ideas that built the nation—and to consider what it will take to protect them.
Accessible, engaging, and timely, this book is for anyone who wants to understand how American democracy started, and why it still matters.
“George Washington,” by David O. Stewart
David’s narrative histories have won seven awards from historical and literary organizations, and include:
- George Washington: The Political Rise of America’s Founding Father, which the Wall Street Journal, called “an outstanding biography” with “clear, often superlative” writing.
- The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution, focuses on the compromises that produced the U.S. Constitution, and the men who hammered them out.
- Impeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln’s Legacy grows from my defense of a Senate impeachment trial.
- American Emperor: Aaron Burr’s Challenge to Jefferson’s America, explores Aaron Burr’s Western expedition of 1806-07, which landed Burr on trial for treason.
- Madison’s Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America– examines James Madison’s talent for working with leaders of the Founding Era.
My historical fiction includes two series: The Deception trilogy features the unlikely partnership of Dr. Jamie Fraser and ex-ballplayer Speed Cook. In The Lincoln Deception, they explore the secrets behind the Lincoln assassination. The Paris Deception places them at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, and in The Babe Ruth Deception, they struggle to protect the slugger from gangland violence and the Black Sox scandal. The Overstreet saga begins with The New Land, which follows a German family to the Maine coast in 1753, where they face hardship and war. Book Two (The Burning Land) traces descendants through the Civil War era.
Click here to buy David’s books.
About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com
Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com.
Join us for lunch, brunch, dinner and Happy Hour at award-winning Elaine’s Restaurant
About Elaine’s Restaurant: A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.