Nancy Bradeen Spannaus
Nancy Spannaus is an accomplished author, historian, and educator dedicated to exploring and promoting the American System of Economics. With a career spanning decades in research, writing, and teaching, she has authored influential works including Hamilton Versus Wall Street: The Core Principles of the American System and Defeating Slavery: Hamilton's American System Showed the Way. Her latest book, published in the spring of 2025, is From Subject to Citizen: What Americans Need to Know about Their Revolution. It challenges readers to engage with the deeper ideas behind the Revolution, as we approach the 250th birthday of our country.
Through these works, Spannaus examines the economic and moral principles underlying America’s founding, connecting historical insight with contemporary economic challenges. Her blog, AmericanSystemNow.com, features over 700 meticulously researched articles on figures ranging from Leibniz to FDR, providing a rich resource for students, scholars, and the general public alike. An 81-year-old lifelong learner, Spannaus had combined her passion for history with active teaching roles at Frederick County Community College and other lifelong learning institutions. She engages audiences through lectures, interviews, and speaking events, emphasizing the importance of understanding history’s lessons for today’s society. Her approach is both scholarly and accessible, aiming to inspire critical thinking and a deeper appreciation for the principles that shaped the United States for the general public.
All three of her books have received positive reviews on Kirkus, which has advised its readers to "get it." The full reviews can be found on the Nancy's Books page of her blog, AmericanSystemNow.
Spannaus’ academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Sociology from Bryn Mawr College, where she graduated magna cum laude. Beyond writing and teaching, she has worked as an editor and lecturer, and is recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for her contributions to history and scholarship. Passionate about civic education and public discourse, Nancy continues to dedicate her time to research, teaching, and sharing the enduring relevance of the American System.
• Honored Listee
• Columbia University- Columbia School of Social work
• Bryn Mawr College
• Certificate of Appreciation for presentation on Alexander Hamilton, Fairfax Resolves Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
• Certificate of Appreciation, Sgt. Maj. John Champe Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
• Bronze Medal of Citizenship award, Sgt. Maj. John Champe Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
• Proclamation recognizing Nancy Spannaus' Dedication to the Town of Lovettsville, by the Lovettsville Town Council
• Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society
• Daughters of the American Revolution
• American Friends of Lafayette; Lincoln Group of Washington, D.C.
• Operating a Food pantry in Western Loudoun County
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a lifelong passion for learning and sharing knowledge. As the author of Hamilton Versus Wall Street: The Core Principles of the American System, and an 81-year-old amateur historian, I am deeply committed to spending my remaining years studying, writing about, and discussing the American System of Economics and its relevance to today’s world. To the extent that I have been successful, I credit my persistence, and unwillingness to give up. I refuse to give up hope that the American people will return to the highest values upon which our nation was built -- once again cherishing knowledge and the determination to improve the lives of all people on behalf of the general welfare.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think my determination and love of ideas comes from my upbringing by parents raised in New England, and imbued with the cultural attributes from that section of the country., including a strong work ethic. They didn't specifically advise me on my career in political journalism, or American history, but I believe their values imbued my work. My father was a professor of Greek Classics, and an outstanding scholar; my mother was primarily a home-maker, with a strong attachment to the church and philanthropy.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Look for every opportunity you can to meet broader groups of people. Send them your work, and appreciate theirs when you can. In this way, build relationships which can help you circulate your own work, and perhaps, find that one person, or group of people, who will help it take off. And if that doesn't happen, you will have still touched the lives of many. Don't expect to make a lot of money as a public historian -- but convey your love of your subject and its importance for society today.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge to success in writing and circulating serious history is the dominance of the genre of fantasy in books today. There is a prevalent idea that people aren't going to read anything at length, and that everything has to be "dumbed down," if not to a 2 minute video, then to a comic book or a personal story. We need to revive a culture where people are eager for knowledge and self-improvement, and dedicated to using their talents for the general welfare of their society. It will take work, but that's what our country and the world needs.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are persistence, passion, and a commitment to seizing opportunities to educate or otherwise do good for mankind. I am actively involved with organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society, the Lincoln Group of DC, and the American Friends of Lafayette. I also run our local food bank and share a deep love of history with my husband of 57 years, who is a fellow historian. In my personal time, I enjoy crossword puzzles, attending history lectures, and experiencing classical music concerts—activities that reflect my curiosity and dedication to lifelong learning.
I am also the proud mother of one son and grandson, with whom my husband and I stay in touch on a weekly basis, and who appreciate my work.
Locations
AmericanSystemNow
Lovettsville, VA 20180