In this special episode, Shilo Brooks is joined by Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Jon Meacham at the Jack Miller Center’s annual summit on civic education. They took the stage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, the perfect setting for a discussion about one of Meacham’s favorite books: The Winds of War. Written by Herman Wouk and published in 1971, The Winds of War is an epic historical novel that follows an American family through the tumult of World War II. In their smart, often funny, and deeply moving conversation, Meacham also reflects on why World War II was such a pivotal moment in shaping the unique American identity; the other essential books, events, and moments every citizen should know about to better understand America; and the differences between patriotism and nationalism. At a moment when our politics feel so fractured, studying history reminds us of an enduring truth: Ordinary people can rise to extraordinary challenges.