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

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October 3, 2025

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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.

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Guests & Subjects Covered

First History MattersDavid McCullough InDorie McCullough LawsonJon MeachamNPRs Scott SimonPotomac Scott EllsworthCivil WarNows Sarah McCammon

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Two new history books use the past to explain what’s important now | NPR's Book of the Day · NPR Podcasts · Sentinel