History Matters

History Matters is a posthumous collection of essays by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian David McCullough, many appearing in print for the first time. Edited by his daughter Dorie McCullough Lawson and longtime researcher Michael Hill, the book gathers pieces written across McCullough's career, all centered on his core subject: the importance of history in understanding present and future. A foreword by Jon Meacham introduces the collection. McCullough examines the value of historical study and how its lessons can guide us. He emphasizes the importance of character in political leaders, citing Harry Truman and George Washington as examples of American values including optimism and determination. The essays also reflect on his own development as a historian—his formative reading experiences, mentors, and influences including writer Paul Horgan and painter Thomas Eakins. Throughout, McCullough advocates for viewing history through the perspectives of its participants, a method he considered essential to understanding both past and present. The collection reflects his narrative gifts and demonstrates his legacy as a historian and storyteller focused on American ideals.