I think it's outrageous if a historian has a 'leading thought' because it means they will select their material according to their thesis. Antony Beevor historianleadmaterial Change image and share on social
Teaching the history of the British Empire links in with that of the world: for better and for worse, the Empire made us what we are, forming our national identity. A country that does not understand its own history is unlikely to respect that of others. Antony Beevor badlybritishcountry share on social
The power of historical fiction for bad and for good can be immense in shaping consciousness of the past. Antony Beevor badconsciousnessfiction Change image and share on social
I get slightly obsessive about working in archives because you don't know what you're going to find. In fact, you don't know what you're looking for until you find it. Antony Beevor archivefactfind Change image and share on social
Without an understanding of history, we are politically, culturally and socially impoverished. If we sacrifice history to economic pressures or to budget cuts, we will lose a part of who we are. Antony Beevor budgetculturallycut Change image and share on social
I expect the worst both from reviewers and sales and then, with any luck, I may be proved wrong. Antony Beevor badexpectluck Change image and share on social
The great help of being in the Army is to understand why are the armies clever in what they describe as emotional intelligence, making soldiers come to terms with the death of comrades by certain rituals. Antony Beevor armyclevercomrade share on social
Alpacas are very endearing, and they all have very different personalities. Antony Beevor alpacaendearpersonality Change image and share on social
I'm often reassured in a bizarre - perhaps perverse - way when I find in the archive stuff that contradicts what my assumptions have been. That's interesting and exciting. Antony Beevor archiveassumptionbizarre Change image and share on social
It is this compulsion to look backwards at a time of crisis because one's got no idea of what lies ahead. There is a notion of security that somehow it must resemble the past. It's never going to. Just because we muddled through in the past doesn't mean we can automatically muddle through in the future. Antony Beevor aheadautomaticallybackwards share on social