Thinking Historically

A compelling and insightful argument for historical study as a way to understand and navigate the complex, often confusing world of decision-making Winner, 2026 Lionel Gelber Prize “Gavin’s writing is nuanced and compelling. It’s also fun. . . . Churchill would have loved Gavin’s book and would have encouraged aspiring statespeople to study it carefully.”—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune It seems obvious that we should use history to improve policy. If we have a good understanding of the past, it should enable better decisions in the present, especially in the extraordinarily consequential worlds of statecraft and strategy. But how do we gain that knowledge? How should history be used? Sadly, it is rarely done well, and historians and decision-makers seldom interact. But in this remarkable book, Francis J. Gavin explains the many ways historical knowledge can help us understand and navigate the complex, often confusing world around us. Good historical work convincingly captures the