"Outwitting History" is a memoir by Aaron Lansky, a Jewish-American author and activist. The book recounts his mission to save Yiddish literature from extinction in the late 20th century. Lansky founded the Yiddish Book Center in 1980, which became a hub for preserving and promoting Yiddish texts. In the memoir, Lansky shares his experiences collecting thousands of Yiddish books, often from individuals who no longer valued them. His efforts not only helped preserve a rich cultural heritage but also sparked a renewed interest in Yiddish language and literature among new generations.