is robert dallek is the author of "franklin delano roosevelt: a political life." ron chernow is author "grant" a new biography of the civil war union general in 18th president. nancy koehn is "forged in crisis" which looks at five historical figures who demonstrated leadership. and mark updegrove snoot last republicans" examines the president he's of george w. bush and george herbert walker bush and their relationship. welcome to all of you. eye so glad you're here. ron, let me start with you. you are all historians but also story tellers, too. so, but general grant, president grant on stage for us, give us your favorite story. >> my favorite story is virginia 1864, grant is standing on the edge of the woods when lethal shell comes whizzing by him, passes within three inches of his ears. grant doesn't blink, he doesn't flinch, his facial expression doesn't change he turns to hissage than says, hudson, go get that shell let's see what the enshe firing at us. the reason i love this store tree that shows grant's literally coolness under fire. and his metabolism was s

robert dallek the author of "franklin delano roosevelt: a political life."and mark updegrove is the author of "the last republicans." mark i'll start with you on this question of what is your -- you call your book snoot last republicans" no. the bush family, why that title? >> because it was clear that the bush -- bushes represent a lost -- establishment republican party. right now we see a party at war with itself. still have establishment members of that party but there are insurgents who have taken over. the partynt stand for anything spiffs i can, there's no binding platform or principles it's really what standard bear, very capricious, unpredictable donald trump decides it wants to be. so in some manner the bushes, represent the end to a type of republicanism. >> dickerson: ron, why grant and was it the grant when you went into the book the same one as when you were finally done? >> you know, i have contearian, whenever i feel that the stereotype of a particular historical figure is hardened into a caricature i'm attacked to it. grant i was interested i

chairman, could i submit, for the record, just a -- the comments of historian robert dallek that remindsthat war kills off all the great reform movements. world war i, the progressive era. >> without objection, so ordered. the question is on agreeing to the amendment offered by mr. lewis. all those in favor, signify by saying aye. those opposed, say no. in the opinion of the chair, the nos have it. pursuant to committee rule 19, further proceedings on the amendment will be postponed. the committee will stand in recess. we will reconvene following the house votes promptly. >>> the house ways and kmeemean committee is taking a break for votes as they continue to mark up the house republican tax plan. this is the third day of meetings, and committee chair kevin brady has said he wants to finish work on it tomorrow. the republican leaders hope to have a completed bill on president trump's desk by christmas. if you'd like to read the house gop tax plan, go to cspan.org/congress. that takes you right to our congressional chronicle page where you can read all 429 pages of the bill. also, there