Illuminating the past to better understand the present

Explore Josh’s talks, essays, and media appearances that connect history to the headlines.

“Josh Zeitz brings history to life with uncommon clarity and urgency.” — NPR

NPR logo with red, black, and blue background colors and white lowercase letters 'n', 'p', and 'r'.
CNN logo in red text on a white background.
Black and white graphic with three stylized human heads and TV antennas, suggesting communication or broadcasting.
The Politico logo in red text.
A man with short dark hair, wearing a light blue collared shirt and a grey sweater, gesturing with his right hand near his chest, smiling against a plain white background.

Meet Josh Zeitz

Josh Zeitz is a historian, author, and former political advisor whose writing has appeared in The Atlantic, Politico, and The New York Times. Josh holds a Ph.D. in American history from Brown University and focuses on presidential leadership, social transformation, and how the past continues to shape public debate.

He is the author of several books, including Lincoln’s God, Flapper, and Building the Great Society, and appears frequently on CNN, NPR, and other media outlets.