NEW YORK, February 18, 2025—Simon & Schuster announced today that it will publish a posthumous book by David McCullough, one of the nation’s most decorated historians, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, two National Book Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. HISTORY MATTERS is a timely collection of McCullough’s essays that address the importance of history, especially our shared history as Americans. Many of these essays have never been published, and the collection will include a foreword by Jon Meacham. The book is edited by McCullough’s daughter Dorie McCullough Lawson and his longtime researcher, Michael Hill, and it publishes on September 16, 2025.

Over the course of his distinguished storytelling career, David McCullough emphatically showed the public why history matters. Now, at a time of self-reflection in America following an election that has left the country divided, his essays explore core American values to which we all subscribe, regardless of which region we live in, which political party we identify with, or how our backgrounds differ—values like optimism, determination, and character. The book also shares McCullough’s advice about writing along with his own early influences and inspirations. The essays are vintage McCullough: beautifully written, thought-provoking, and exhibiting the endless curiosity of their author. Perhaps most importantly, they present lessons in how we cannot understand history unless we see events as the participants saw them, not knowing the outcome. That approach to history informs readers how we might navigate our current moment.

“It has been an honor to work with my father’s writings in the years since his death,” said Dorie McCullough Lawson. “My mother, Rosalee, always said that his work was built to last, and it has been reassuring to see how right she was. What comes through most clearly in this collection are the themes of his optimism, integrity, careful study, independence, creativity, hard work, and love of country.”

“David McCullough was a beloved Simon & Schuster author for more than fifty years. It is an honor to be able to publish him one more time,” said Jonathan Karp, President and Chief Executive Officer of Simon & Schuster. “The artistry of his writing and the depth of his appreciation for the lessons of history are timeless.”

Karp acquired world, audio, and first serial rights from Anne Sibbald of Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Bob Bender, executive editor emeritus, edited the book. The book’s jacket art includes a photo of David McCullough at the Truman Library.

David McCullough (1933–2022) twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback. His other acclaimed books include The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, Brave Companions, 1776, The Greater Journey, The American Spirit, The Wright Brothers, and The Pioneers. He was the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. Visit DavidMcCullough.com.

Dorie McCullough Lawson is David McCullough’s daughter and worked with him for nearly three decades. She is the author of three previous books, including Posterity: Letters of Great Americans to Their Children.

Michael Hill is an independent historical researcher who worked with David McCullough for over thirty years. He is also the author of three previous books, including a biography of Elihu Washburne. He served as a historical consultant for the HBO production of David McCullough’s John Adams. 

Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, is dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world’s most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Adams Media, Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, the United Kingdom, and VBK in the Netherlands and Belgium. It proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com. 

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Associate Publisher, Publicity & Marketing
Simon & Schuster
julia.prosser@simonandschuster.com