The historical development of the work of anthropologists seems to single out clearly a domain of knowledge that heretofore has not been treated by any other science.

Thus in accordance with the spirit of the Historical School knowledge of the principles of the human world falls within that world itself and the human sciences form an independent system.

Ellis Peters's historical detail is very accurate and very minute and therefore is not only interesting to read but good for an actor to acquire a sense of the period. And the other thing I think is that an actor lives in the land of imagination.

The thing that most attracts me to historical fiction is taking the factual record as far as it is known using that as scaffolding and then letting imagination build the structure that fills in those things we can never find out for sure.

Humor has historically been tied to the mores of the day. The Yellow Kid was predicated on what people thought was funny about the immigrant Irish. When you're different in a society you're funny.

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.

Watch the History Channel if you want it literal and historically perfect.

The general consensus among historians among the ones who can handle the fact that 'Lincoln' is in fact historical fiction is that we demonstrate enormous fidelity to history and that beyond that we've actually contributed a line of thinking about Lincoln's presidency that's somewhat original.

Accuracy is paramount in every detail of a work of history. Here's my rule: Ask yourself 'Did this thing happen?' If the answer is yes then it's historical. Then ask 'Did this thing happen precisely this way?' If the answer is yes then it's history if the answer is no not precisely this way then it's historical drama.

Asking the author of historical novels to teach you about history is like expecting the composer of a melody to provide answers about radio transmission.

We are not merely passive pawns of historical forces nor are we victims of the past. We can shape and direct history.

One of the consequences of the Iranian revolution has been an explosion of history. A country once known only from British consular reports and intrepid travelogues is now awash with historical documents letters diaries grainy video weblogs and secret police files of questionable authenticity.

Whatever can be noted historically can be found within history.

But every historical statement and legitimization itself moves within a certain relation to history.

We live in an era with no historical precedents. History is no longer useful as a tool in helping us understand current changes.

Generally speaking historically in this country the care of a child has been thought of as female business.

All truly historical peoples have an idea they must realize and when they have sufficiently exploited it at home they export it in a certain way by war they make it tour the world.