Piece Description

They say those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. According to sociologist and bestselling author James Loewen, we should get ready for a rerun because history in this country is woefully misunderstood. The problem, Loewen explains, is the textbook teaching of history rather than the “doing” of history.

Join us as Loewen talks about his latest book, "Teaching What Really Happened: How To Avoid the Tyranny of Textbooks and Get Students Excited About Doing History." Published last month, it is a follow-up to his bestseller "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong."

Loewen explains how teachers can make the study of history more interesting for their students. He also answers a question from host Mike Cuthbert that he says he usually avoids: Who's the worst President in American history? Listen for the unexpected answer.

Then … Have you ever wondered if Anne Frank thought her words would one day have an audience?

Bestselling author Francine Prose tells the whole story of Anne Frank's famous diary - and subsequent tellings of her story - in her new book, "Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife."

Prose explains that Anne made revisions to her diary entries and that her father, Otto, did as well. The revisions to Anne's accounts continued as her story became a play and a movie.

Listen to learn more about the behind-the-scenes journey of the diary known to countless readers around the world.