https://gateway.bibliocommons.com/v2/libraries/marinet/rss/search?query=History%20Matters&searchType=smart&view=groupedRSS for NodeTue, 21 Apr 2026 13:43:01 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2663372https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2663372Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2663372113BKenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781668098998/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=In this posthumous collection of thought-provoking essays—many never published before—Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and bestselling author David McCullough affirms the value of history, how we can be guided by its lessons, and the enduring legacy of American ideals.
History Matters brings together selected essays by beloved historian David McCullough, some published here for the first time, written at different points over the course of his long career but all focused on the subject of his lifelong passion: the importance of history in understanding our present and future. Edited by McCullough's daughter, Dorie McCullough Lawson, and his longtime researcher, Michael Hill, History Matters is a tribute to a master historian and offers fresh insights into McCullough's enduring interests and writing life. The book also features a foreword by Jon Meacham.

McCullough highlights the importance of character in political leaders, with Harry Truman and George Washington serving as exemplars of American values like optimism and determination. He shares his early influences, from the books he cherished in his youth to the people who mentored him. He also pays homage to those who inspired him, such as writer Paul Horgan and painter Thomas Eakins, illustrating the diverse influences on his writing as well as the influence of art.

Rich with McCullough's signature grace, curiosity, and narrative gifts, these essays offer vital lessons in viewing history through the eyes of its participants, a perspective that McCullough believed was crucial to understanding the present as well as the past. History Matters is testament to McCullough's legacy as one of the great storytellers of this nation's history and of the lasting promise of American ideals.]]>https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C11640402https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C11640402Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/11640402980EBOOKenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781668099018/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=In this posthumous collection of thought-provoking essays—many never published before—Pulitzer Prize–winning historian and bestselling author David McCullough affirms the value of history, how we can be guided by its lessons, and the enduring legacy of American ideals.
History Matters brings together selected essays by beloved historian David McCullough, some published here for the first time, written at different points over the course of his long career but all focused on the subject of his lifelong passion: the importance of history in understanding our present and future. Edited by McCullough's daughter, Dorie McCullough Lawson, and his longtime researcher, Michael Hill, History Matters is a tribute to a master historian and offers fresh insights into McCullough's enduring interests and writing life. The book also features a foreword by Jon Meacham.

McCullough highlights the importance of character in political leaders, with Harry Truman and George Washington serving as exemplars of American values like optimism and determination. He shares his early influences, from the books he cherished in his youth to the people who mentored him. He also pays homage to those who inspired him, such as writer Paul Horgan and painter Thomas Eakins, illustrating the diverse influences on his writing as well as the influence of art.

Rich with McCullough's signature grace, curiosity, and narrative gifts, these essays offer vital lessons in viewing history through the eyes of its participants, a perspective that McCullough believed was crucial to understanding the present as well as the past. History Matters is testament to McCullough's legacy as one of the great storytellers of this nation's history and of the lasting promise of American ideals.]]>https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C11640112https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C11640112Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/11640112980EAUDIOBOOKenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781668137185/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1331246https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1331246Fri, 31 Jan 1997 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1331246113BKLife and Thoughtenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780195046441/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2426439https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2426439Sun, 31 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2426439113BKenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781445166902/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2416732https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2416732Fri, 31 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2416732113BKFrom Magna Carta to the Clinton Impeachmentenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780522877571/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2654942https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2654942Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2654942113BKA Short History of A Small Island That Will Dictate Our Futureenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781250362094/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2645225https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2645225Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2645225113BKThe Forgotten History of the Electoral College--and Why It Matters Todayenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781493085989/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=The complicated history of how America elects presidents and why this matters to the next election
An engaging mix of history and political science, Distorting Democracy will awaken Americans to the perils of our system by unveiling the Electoral College's origins, history, and current problems. This book demonstrates that the system has no principled foundation, that it has changed dramatically over its 230–year history, and that it now threatens the legitimacy of our political system.
The book is divided into three ground-breaking sections:
Part I tells the story of the Electoral College's origins in the Constitutional Convention. Defenders of the Electoral College tend to invoke gauzy images of the Founding Fathers infusing our system with their unique, timeless wisdom. But history tells a very different story. The Founding Fathers faced a mess; they responded by creating a mess.
Part II traces two hundred years of innovations—many of them subtle but highly consequential—to the plan described in the Constitution. As the new nation rapidly descended into bitter political conflict, many of the framers themselves, driven by their partisan interests, massaged the Electoral College into a form that differed profoundly from their founding intentions. Subsequent generations tinkered similarly with the systems' possibilities, always exploiting its potential for political gain.
Part III examines how our strange presidential election system has produced frustrating results with increasing frequency in recent elections. Who can forget the Bush-Gore contest of 2000, when the results hinged on "hanging chads" and fewer than 1,500 votes in Florida? Americans endured weeks of a single-state recount, only to have the Supreme Court halt the process and hand the election to George W. Bush. Bush won the Electoral College by a single vote, but Al Gore captured 500,000 more popular votes. Then, in 2016, Donald Trump stunned the world with a substantial Electoral College victory of 302-227, though nearly 3 million more Americans preferred his opponent, and roughly 7 million voted for a third-party candidate.The system increasingly returns results that conflict with the expressed wishes of a majority of voters, a product of our hyper-polarized landscape and unique geopolitical distribution of party loyalists.
The system cannot improve until we learn the complicated history of the Electoral College and the lessons it holds for us today.
"Every American should read this book. It brings facts and clarity to a debate that too often relies on conjecture about the Electoral College's purposes and ill-informed arguments about how it actually operates. The lessons herein are immense." — Joshua A. Douglas, Ashland, Inc-Spears Distinguished Research Professor of Law, University of Kentucky]]>https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C10596590https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C10596590Wed, 31 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/10596590980EBOOKThe Forgotten History of the Electoral College—and Why it Matters Todayenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781493085996/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2414851https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2414851Fri, 31 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2414851113BKHow We Misinterpret History and Why It Mattersenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781785786624/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2182692https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2182692Fri, 31 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2182692113BKHow It Was Discovered and Why It Mattersenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780226203935/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1083307https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1083307Sun, 31 Jan 1988 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1083307113BKA History of Sexuality in Americaenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780060158552/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2167906https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2167906Sat, 31 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2167906113BKA History of the Chemistry Laboratoryenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781780234427/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2276981https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2276981Wed, 31 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2276981113BKA History of the Heart in Eleven Operationsenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781250117168/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2263678https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2263678Tue, 31 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2263678113BKA Brief History of An Ideaenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780190601348/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2123377https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2123377Sat, 31 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2123377113BKA Biting History of Pedigree Dogs and How the Quest for Status Has Harmed Man's Best Friendenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780807033432/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=A provocative look at the ‘cult of pedigree’ and an entertaining social history of purebred dogs—“a must-read for all dog lovers” (Booklist).
 
So-called “purebreds” are the mainstay of the dog industry. Expert Michael Brandow argues these aren’t time-honored traditions—but rather commercial inventions of the 19th century that were marketed as status symbols to a growing middle class.
 
Combining social history and consumer studies with sharp commentary, this reveals the sordid history of the dog industry and shows how our brand-name pets pay the price with devastatingly poor health. It includes chapters devoted to popular breeds such as:
 
• Golden Retrievers
• Boston Terriers
• English Bulldogs
• Labrador Retrievers
 
An essential read for animal lovers and animal rights activists everywhere, A Matter of Breeding is a fresh take on the history pedigree dogs and encourages us to love all our furry friends—no matter the coat color or price tag.

“If you’re considering welcoming a dog (or two) into your family, read Michael Brandow’s fascinating and eye-opening book before visiting a pet store or breeder.”
—Betsy Banks Saul, founder of Petfinder.com]]>https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C1903831https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S980C1903831Sat, 31 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1903831980EBOOKA Biting History of Pedigree Dogs and How the Quest for Status Has Harmed Man's Best Friendenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780807033449/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1914670https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1914670Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1914670113DVDHistory, Art & Politicsenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780615453750/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=&upc=608938663832https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1626193https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1626193Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1626193113BKA Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matterenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9781400050369/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2081956https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C2081956Sat, 31 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/2081956113BKMusic, History, and the Matter of Styleenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780520228955/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1888539https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1888539Wed, 31 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1888539113BKA History of Chemistry From Alchemy to the Buckyballenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780801866098/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1958597https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1958597Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1958597113BKTechnology in California and the Westenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780873282512/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1525317https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1525317Fri, 31 Jan 2003 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1525317113BKWhy the Greeks Matterenghttps://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?isbn=9780385495530/MC.GIF&client=mnetp&type=xw12&oclc=https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1040383https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1040383Thu, 31 Jan 1963 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1040383113BKenghttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1814719https://marinet.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S113C1814719Thu, 31 Jan 1963 00:00:00 GMThttps://marinet.bibliocommons.com/item/comment/1814719113BKeng