DiscoverNPR's Book of the Day PlusTwo new history books use the past to explain what’s important now
Two new history books use the past to explain what’s important now

Two new history books use the past to explain what’s important now

Update: 2025-10-03
Share

Description

Two new history books make a strong case for why learning about the past is critical to understanding the world today. First, History Matters is a posthumous collection of writings by American historian David McCullough. In today’s episode, co-editor Dorie McCullough Lawson and historian Jon Meacham tell NPR’s Scott Simon about McCullough’s endless curiosity. Then, in Midnight on the Potomac, Scott Ellsworth explores little-known corners of Civil War history. In today’s episode, he speaks with Here & Now’s Sarah McCammon about long-held myths about the period.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy
Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Two new history books use the past to explain what’s important now

Two new history books use the past to explain what’s important now