Past, Present, Future - by Michael J C Taylor (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A provocative examination of how forgotten historical patterns dictate our current crises and future survival. Dr. Taylor dismantles the traditional way we are taught about the past, revealing the stark, undeniable connections between yesterday's turning points and today's political, social, and economic realities.

An unflinching chronicle exploring how our collective memory shapes the present and the future--examining events from the moon landing to financial crises, and arguing why erasing or distorting history endangers humanity's very survival.

History is never a relic of the past; it is the very context that shapes our lives and destinies. Michael J C Taylor's work draws a vital connection between eras--past, present, and yet-to-come--insisting that to understand our place in the world, we must see history as the "bonding element of the time continuum." From firsthand accounts of epoch-defining moments, like the Kennedy assassination or the Challenger explosion, to incisive analysis of events such as the Savings and Loan crisis or landmark Supreme Court cases, Taylor uncovers the intricate interplay between past decisions and current societal fractures.

Readers who appreciate the critical eye of Howard Zinn or the investigative rigor found in Lies My Teacher Told Me will recognize the stakes: history isn't mere stories, but the playbook for navigating crises and building futures.

A call to historians, educators, policymakers, and curious minds alike: the future cannot be imagined without a fearless reckoning with where we've been.

About the Author

Michael J. C. Taylor was born in Hollywood, California, and earned his interdisciplinary doctoral degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City in both history and political science. His past academic positions include appointments at Dickinson State University, Bemidji State University, and Paine College. Publications include articles in the Journal of Supreme Court History, the Regent Journal of Law and Public Policy, and the New England Journal of History, among others. His two books, The Preamble and Mission of the Constitution (2018) and The Constitution and the American Presidency (2021), were published by Peter Lang of New York.