Don't know much about history? Americans are sometimes accused of having short memories and shallow traditions compared with older European nations. But in recent years history has become something of a national pastime.

We can't seem to get enough of the past, and now the bestseller list includes titles such as the Pulitzer Prize winning Founding Brothers. In addition, community histories have caught fire around the country, and interest in genealogy has made family history books increasingly popular.   More detail...