Ken Burns

Ken Burns makes familiar history land through storytelling, not new information. Morgan Housel says Burns's Civil War series adds little new information, yet its stories hit harder than dry history books. He cites it, with Taleb and Harari, as proof that you need to say something well, not say something new.

Housel felt ashamed turning in The Psychology of Money because nothing in it was original. It has sold more than 8 million copies. Quote: "you don't need to say something new. You just need to say it well."

How I Write▶ 48:28

Burns edits scripts so a music beat lands on a powerful word. Housel says Burns edits the script so a beat in the music hits a powerful word, and also cares about transitions and the narrator's voice. He says no other historian does this, which is why many history books are dry and Burns can make people cry.

Housel has watched nearly all of Burns's documentaries multiple times and finds something different each time. His takeaway for writers is to design rhythm and placement around the key word.

How I Write▶ 1:00:42