Shiloh had as many casualties as Waterloo, and yet there were another 20 Waterloos to come.
“Shiloh had as many casualties as Waterloo, and yet there were another 20 Waterloos to come.” Bruce Catton
Like most Rebel soldiers, Sam Watkins owned no slaves.
“Like most Rebel soldiers, Sam Watkins owned no slaves.” Bruce Catton
The Confederate Constitution was almost identical to that of the United States.
“The Confederate Constitution was almost identical to that of the United States.” Bruce Catton
The 1860 election became a referendum on the southern way of life.
“The 1860 election became a referendum on the southern way of life.” Bruce Catton
History does not usually make real sense until long afterward.
“History does not usually make real sense until long afterward.” Bruce Catton
Even the most painstaking history is a bridge across an eternal mystery.
“Even the most painstaking history is a bridge across an eternal mystery.” Bruce Catton
[H]istorians have powerful imaginations, which are essential and dangerous.
“[H]istorians have powerful imaginations, which are essential and dangerous.” Bob Stinson
The last function of reason is to recognize that there are an infinity of things which surpass it.
“The last function of reason is to recognize that there are an infinity of things which surpass it.” Blaise Pascal
The last function of reason is to recognize that there are an infinity of things which surpass it.
“The last function of reason is to recognize that there are an infinity of things which surpass it.” Blaise Pascal
In the United States those bits of our history that remain are paved over, sanitized, packaged for easy consumption. At those sites not already lost to commercial development, we walk between velvet ropes, herded by guides, warned not to touch. Our icons are preserved under glass, their magic demystified in glossy brochures.
“In the United States those bits of our history that remain are paved over, sanitized, packaged for easy consumption. At those sites not already lost … Read More
Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.
“Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.” Billy Wilder
If there is a single trait in our character that has historically set us apart from other nations, it is our determination to limit the authority of those who rule over us.
“If there is a single trait in our character that has historically set us apart from other nations, it is our determination to limit the … Read More
History is but the record of the public and official acts of human beings. It is our object, therefore, to humanize our history and deal with people past and present; people who ate and possibly drank; people who were born, flourished and died; not grave tragedians, posing perpetually for their photographs.
“History is but the record of the public and official acts of human beings. It is our object, therefore, to humanize our history and deal … Read More
I’ve never cared that much for cementing my place in history. Sports is so transitory, so ephemeral. It just seems like so much nonsense comparing me to Helen Wills Moody or Suzanne Lenglen or anybody else from some other time. One lesson you learn from sports is that life goes on without you.
“I’ve never cared that much for cementing my place in history. Sports is so transitory, so ephemeral. It just seems like so much nonsense comparing … Read More
The feminine mystique has succeeded in burying millions of American women alive.
“The feminine mystique has succeeded in burying millions of American women alive.” Betty Friedan
Peter Jones’s is a vital public service. He reminds us that while we shouldn’t live in the past, we are wiser and stronger when we live with it.
“Peter Jones’s is a vital public service. He reminds us that while we shouldn’t live in the past, we are wiser and stronger when we … Read More
A man without a bias cannot write interesting history – if indeed such a man exists.
“A man without a bias cannot write interesting history – if indeed such a man exists.” Bertrand Russell
An extra-terrestrial philosopher, who had watched a single youth up to the age of twenty-one and had never come across any other human being, might conclude that it is the nature of human beings to grow continually taller and wiser in an indefinite progress towards perfection; and this generalization would be just as well founded as the generalization which evolutionists base upon the previous history of this planet.
“An extra-terrestrial philosopher, who had watched a single youth up to the age of twenty-one and had never come across any other human being, might … Read More
Change is scientific; progress is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy.
“Change is scientific; progress is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy.” Bertrand Russell
History abhors determinism but cannot tolerate chance.
“History abhors determinism but cannot tolerate chance.” Bernard DeVoto