Joshua M. Zeitz

Joshua Michael Zeitz (born 1974) is an American historian. He is the author of several books on American political and social history and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, The New Republic, The Atlantic, Dissent, and American Heritage. Zeitz appeared as a commentator on two PBS documentaries – Boomer Century, and Ken Burns' Prohibition — and has commented on public policy matters on CNBC and CNN International. He has held faculty positions at Harvard, Cambridge and Princeton and is the author of four books.

Biography

Background

Zeitz was born in Trenton and raised in Bordentown, where he attended Bordentown Regional High School. He obtained his B.A. from Swarthmore College (1996), with Highest Honors, and earned an A.M. (1998) and a Ph.D. (2002) in American history from Brown University. He is the author of three books, co-author and editor of a high school history textbook, and has written numerous academic and non-academic articles. Zeitz has held academic positions at Harvard University, Princeton University, and Cambridge University.

Academic positions

Zeitz has held several academic positions including:

• Lecturer on History and Literature, Harvard University (2001–03)
• Lecturer on American history and Director of Studies in History, Pembroke College, Cambridge University (2003–07)
• Lecturer, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University (2010-2011)

Books

Zeitz has written four books.

Zeitz's most recent book, the NYT best-seller, Lincoln's Boys: John Hay, John Nicolay, and the War for Lincoln's Image, was published by Viking Press in February 2014. Focusing on Abraham Lincoln's young White House aides, John Hay and John Nicolay, the book is "part political drama and part coming-of-age tale—a fascinating story of friendship, politics, war, and the contest over history and remembrance," according to the publisher.

Bibliography

Articles and Commentary

Zeitz's articles and commentary in the popular press include:

• "When America Hated Catholics" Politico, September 23, 2015.
• "If Guns Make Us Safer, Why Not Let Them Into the U.S. Capitol?" Politico, July 18, 2015.
• “Fact-Checking Lincoln,” The Atlantic, November 12, 2012.
• “Chris Christie’s Summer of Self Promotion,” The Atlantic, August 7, 2012.
• “1964: The Year the 60s Began,” American Heritage Magazine, October 2006
• “Boomer Century,” American Heritage Magazine, October 2005, 32-48
• “Saving Grace,” The New Republic (Online), December 30, 2004
• “Miller’s Crossing,” The New Republic (Online), September 1, 2004
• “The Big Lie About the Little Pill,” New York Times, December 27, 2003
• “Disunited Nations,” American Heritage Magazine, August/September 2003
• “The Fall (and Potential Rise) of Liberalism,” L.A. Times, December 22, 2002, M2
• “Dixie’s Victory,” American Heritage Magazine, September 2002, 46-55
• “Are Our Liberties in Peril?” American Heritage Magazine, November/December 2001, 34-37
• “Back to the Barricades,” American Heritage Magazine, October 2001, 70-75
• “Rebel Redemption Redux,” Dissent (Winter 2001), cover 30-37
• “Impeach Andrew Johnson!” The New Republic, January 18, 1999, cover, 13-1

Zeitz's academic writings include