It is not the literal past, the "facts" of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in read more

It is not the literal past, the "facts" of history, that shape us, but images of the past embodied in language.

History: An account, mostly false, of events unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools.

History: An account, mostly false, of events unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools.

What is a society without a heroic dimension?

What is a society without a heroic dimension?

The Thames is liquid history.

The Thames is liquid history.

History is past politics; and politics present history.

History is past politics; and politics present history.

Every historian discloses a new horizon.

Every historian discloses a new horizon.

History's like a story in a way: it depends on who's telling it.

History's like a story in a way: it depends on who's telling it.

History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they
have exhausted all other alternatives.

History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they
have exhausted all other alternatives.

I saw Chungking for the first time more than 40 years ago - a city of hills and mists, of read more

I saw Chungking for the first time more than 40 years ago - a city of hills and mists, of grays and lavenders, two rivers shaping it to a point and the cliff rising above me like a challenge.