Greatness is perhaps problematic, but...
Few great statesmen have also been great historians. In the 20th century, only Charles de Gaulle and Winston Churchill combined these two talents, and in both cases, one could say, following Clausewitz's formula, that writing history was the continuation of politics by other means.
Based on his vast experience of academic research, of writing books and newspaper articles, and in crafting documentaries for TV and radio, David Reynolds believes policymakers, historians and the public all need to remember that:
1. History matters. Maintaining a historical perspective is essential in public and private life.
‘Time is an inescapable dimension. We all live in the stream of time. And we need to think in time as well. That’s vital for moving into the future.’
2. Communicating with policy makers is at root no different from communicating with the general public.
‘We are historical animals. Every day, when we go home in the evening, we construct a narrative of what has happened. We probably glide over things that were messy or embarrassing, and dwell on moments that were positive. As we do so, we are “making history.” What I’m asking is that people should do this in a more sophisticated and self-conscious way when thinking about the world we live in.’
3. When historians present anything on television, there has to be an element of entertainment about it.
‘To communicate effectively, you have to convey a sense that what you are doing is exciting, important and also fun.’
[media=https://youtu.be/JMjpJ-XzeWI]
Based on his vast experience of academic research, of writing books and newspaper articles, and in crafting documentaries for TV and radio, David Reynolds believes policymakers, historians and the public all need to remember that:
1. History matters. Maintaining a historical perspective is essential in public and private life.
‘Time is an inescapable dimension. We all live in the stream of time. And we need to think in time as well. That’s vital for moving into the future.’
2. Communicating with policy makers is at root no different from communicating with the general public.
‘We are historical animals. Every day, when we go home in the evening, we construct a narrative of what has happened. We probably glide over things that were messy or embarrassing, and dwell on moments that were positive. As we do so, we are “making history.” What I’m asking is that people should do this in a more sophisticated and self-conscious way when thinking about the world we live in.’
3. When historians present anything on television, there has to be an element of entertainment about it.
‘To communicate effectively, you have to convey a sense that what you are doing is exciting, important and also fun.’
[media=https://youtu.be/JMjpJ-XzeWI]
