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Re "In Ignorance We Trust" (column, Dec. 14):
Timothy Egan dismisses our "Untold History of the United States" as a "highly selective retelling of the 20th century." Any challenge to the reigning orthodoxy that is not sufficiently conformist and centrist is equated with Glenn Beck and "demagogues with agendas," such as ourselves.
Perhaps if he heeded Douglas Brinkley, whom he applauds, and who commended our "brave revisionist study which shatters many foreign policy myths," Mr. Egan might recognize that the "demagogues with agendas" are precisely the people who have led us into so many unnecessary, brutal wars since World War II — not the people who fought for peace.
OLIVER STONE
PETER KUZNICK
Los Angeles, Dec. 17, 2012
The writers are the authors of the book and Showtime series "The Untold History of the United States."
To the Editor:
Timothy Egan hits the nail on the head. We stand to lose a great deal if we continue to tolerate the growing scourge of historical illiteracy in America. It is not just that history edifies and entertains (as in "Lincoln"). History also adds necessary depth and perspective to our understanding of contemporary issues of great concern.
The avoidance of such historical depth and perspective — whether in debating the wisdom of invading Iraq, changes to our health care system or escaping a fiscal cliff — is self-defeating and potentially paralyzing. At the same time, historians need to rise to the challenge of articulating better why it is important to know from where we come — and, indeed, why history matters.
This means not only writing in accessible prose, but also redoubling our commitment to infusing historical knowledge into the broad public beyond campus walls.
DAVID N. MYERS
Los Angeles, Dec. 14, 2012
The writer is chairman of the history department at the University of California, Los Angeles.
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