Pulitzer Winner Dead at 88: History World in Mourning!

Daniel Walker Howe, the historian whose masterful "What Hath God Wrought" earned him a Pulitzer Prize and a permanent place in the canon of American historical writing, has died. He was 88 years old. The University of California, Los Angeles, where Howe was a professor emeritus, confirmed his passing on Christmas Day. Details surrounding his death haven't been released yet.

Pulitzer Winner Dead at 88: History World in Mourn...

Howe's "What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848," published in 2007, wasn't just another history book. It was a sprawling, ambitious, and ultimately deeply satisfying exploration of a pivotal period in American history. It became a cornerstone of Oxford University Press's prestigious American history series, sitting alongside other Pulitzer winners like David M. Kennedy's work on the Depression and World War II and James McPherson's landmark study of the Civil War.

The book itself is a behemoth, clocking in at nearly 900 pages. But don't let that intimidate you. Howe expertly navigated the complex forces shaping the young nation: westward expansion fueled by "Manifest Destiny," the rise of Andrew Jackson and the modern political party, and, of course, the ever-simmering issue of slavery that threatened to tear the country apart. What made Howe's work so compelling was its ability to connect the past to the present. He showed us how the seeds of contemporary American society were sown in those turbulent decades.

The title, taken from the first telegraph message sent in 1844, is particularly evocative. It highlights the technological leaps of the era – the rapid advancements in communication and transportation that were reshaping American life. Think about it: newspapers and books becoming more accessible, mail service becoming more efficient, roads and canals connecting disparate communities. Sounds familiar, right? Yet, even then, progress wasn't universally embraced. Howe masterfully illustrated how technological advancements sparked resistance, particularly in the South, where politicians feared that infrastructure improvements would undermine the institution of slavery.

It's interesting to note, as Jill Lepore pointed out in her 2007 review for The New Yorker, that "What Hath God Wrought" wasn't Oxford's first choice for this slot in the series. The initial selection was Charles Sellers' "The Market Revolution," but its critical perspective, particularly its portrayal of Jackson, apparently didn't sit well with the series editor. I've always found this little bit of publishing history fascinating; it just goes to show that even in the world of academic history, there are behind-the-scenes dramas and competing interpretations shaping what gets published and how it's received. Regardless, Howe's book has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the field, and his passing is a genuine loss for historians and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the American past.