Cornell historian Claudia Verhoeven is bringing new scholarly depth to one of America's most infamous crimes. Her newly released book "Love and Terror" reexamines the Manson murders as a rich historical case study, drawing on newly released archive material that's reshaping how experts understand this pivotal moment in American history.

Verhoeven's work is part of a trio of compelling new books from Cornell faculty, signaling a broader academic movement to revisit historical events with fresh evidence and contemporary scholarly frameworks. By treating the Manson case as more than true crime fodder, historians are uncovering layers of context that help us better understand the era and the human stories within it. Read the full story →

Today's takeaway: Good history requires us to look again—and sometimes new archives and fresh perspectives reveal truths that sensationalism misses.