As foretold by the prophecy—well, the one I made myself—I’m back, with the first episode of our series on All-Time, All-Star History’s Trainwrecks. Since I’m going in no particular order, I’m starting with Richard Nixon, our thirty-seventh president and first and only one thus far to resign before his term ended.

Before I started my research, I had the same sense that most people who lived through the seventies did (though I had barely started solid food when Nixon went home in disgrace).

In short, I thought he was an unpleasant, criminal douchebag who disgraced the highest office in the land. Good riddance, former President Nixon, I thought while I watched Sesame Street and waited for someone to change my diaper. Off to California with you.

Boy was I wrong.

This series about all our best trainwrecks will be quite the revelation.

For all of us.

I hope you enjoy it, and thank you as always for your continued support. I couldn’t do this without you.

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If you've noticed my conspicuous absence, don't worry. I've been doing my whole history nerd thing.

And I wrote a book about ancient Rome, because I just can't help myself. And it's got footnotes!

Stay tuned for that, and our first episode of All Star History's Trainwrecks - Richard Nixon.

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The Conway Cabal had been beaten.

This unholy trinity of general slimeballs—General Horatio Gates, General Thomas Mifflin, and General Thomas Conway—had schemed to get rid of George Washington, his best generals, his staff of wunderkind (Alexander Hamilton, John Laurens, and the Marquis de Lafayette), and then take over the Continental Army, which was huddled at Valley Forge in the winter of 1778.

George Washington proved himself to be no slouch at politics, using a combination of judicious silence, imposing dignity, and a Congressional delegation that came to visit the army’s winter headquarters and see for itself what was really going on to cut the cabal off at the knees.

With all that behind him and the weather getting better, George had to turn his attention to planning a campaign. There was a universal expectation that the army would spring out of its winter quarters (pun intended) and take the fight to the British. The Howe brothers were homeward bound, a new commanding general was appointed (Henry Clinton), and the French were on their way to help out.

But was the army ready for a fight?

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