These Truths

"These Truths is a compelling, page-turning journey through U.S. history. From 1492 to the 2016 election, Lepore tells the nation’s story — the glory and the guts. The United States was founded on a set of truths that were supposed to be self-evident, but from the beginning, there have been bitter divisions over what those truths really mean. This vivid history is a must-read for anyone wrestling with today’s toxic political environment. “The past is an inheritance, a gift and a burden,” she writes. “It can’t be shirked. You carry it everywhere. There’s nothing for it but to get to know it.” Lepore offers us the keys to the past, so we can unlock the present."

"Those works, read alongside more obvious works in English — from Orwell to Baldwin to Jill Lepore's "These Truths" — help keep alive the spirit of democratic values."