Kenneth C. Davis

Kenneth C. Davis is an American historian and author recognized for his contributions to public history and education. Davis is the author of "Don't Know Much About History," which appeared on The New York Times bestseller list for 35 consecutive weeks and launched the "Don't Know Much About" series of books and audiobooks. The series, which has sold millions of copies, covers a range of topics including American history, mythology, the Bible, geography, and the Civil War.

Davis's work focuses on making history accessible by challenging common myths and presenting factual narratives in an engaging manner. His titles include "America's Hidden History," "In the Shadow of Liberty: The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and Five Black Lives," "More Deadly Than War: The Hidden History of the Spanish Flu and the First World War," and "Strongman: The Rise of Five Dictators and the Fall of Democracy." "Strongman" was recognized by Kirkus Reviews and the Washington Post as one of the best books of the year. Davis's books often connect historical events to contemporary issues, providing insight and analysis for readers interested in American history, world history, and social studies.

Expanding his focus beyond history, Davis authored "Great Short Books: A Year of Reading–Briefly," a collection highlighting significant short works of literature. He followed this with "The World in Books: 52 Works of Great Short Nonfiction," offering readers an accessible guide to influential nonfiction from early writing to modern times.

Davis has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including NPR, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, and CNN. He has contributed to NPR's All Things Considered and written for the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN.com, and Smithsonian Magazine. As an educator, Davis has collaborated with TED-Ed to produce animated educational videos for classroom use.

Davis has spoken at institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History, the New-York Historical Society, the National Constitution Center, James Madison's Montpelier, James Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland, and the Smithsonian Institution. He has also addressed teachers' groups and social studies conferences nationwide, emphasizing the importance of honest and engaging history education.