Joshua Michael Zeitz (born 1974) is an American historian and former Democratic politician. He is the author of several books on American political and social history and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Republic, The Atlantic, Dissent, and American Heritage. Zeitz appeared as a commentator on two PBS documentaries – Boomer Century, and Ken Burns' Prohibition — and has commented on public policy matters on CNBC and CNN International. He has held faculty positions at Harvard, Cambridge and Princeton and is the author of four books.

Biography

Background

Zeitz is Jewish and was born in Trenton and raised in Bordentown, where he attended Bordentown Regional High School, which inducted him into its hall of fame in 1990. He obtained his B.A. from Swarthmore College (1996), with Highest Honors, and earned an A.M. (1998) and a Ph.D. (2002) in American history from Brown University. He is the author of three books, co-author and editor of a high school history textbook, and has written numerous academic and non-academic articles. Zeitz has held academic positions at Harvard University, Princeton University, and University of Cambridge. In 2008 Zeitz ran as a Democrat for Congress representing New Jersey's 4th district. He was defeated by incumbent Chris Smith 32% to 66%.

Academic positions

Zeitz has held several academic positions including:

Books

Zeitz has written six books. Zeitz's most recent book, Lincoln's God: How Faith Transformed a President and a Nation, was published by Viking Press in 2023.

Books

Articles and Commentary

Zeitz's articles and commentary in the popular press include: Zeitz's academic writings include