The ideal for history should be the same ideal as for science. The first and subsequent versions should all be regarded as hypotheses; each version subject to rigorous scrutiny, questioning, and possible rejection in light of new information. Like most scientists, most historians refuse to accept new hypotheses. From Paul Craig Roberts at paulcraigroberts.org:
For many years the most widely read articles on my website were the ones exposing the false history of World War II with which Americans are indoctrinated. Indeed, all of the tales of America’s wars fed to us are false, including the First World War and Lincoln’s invasion of the Confederacy, an independent country that had seceded from the United States.
When A.J.P. Taylor blew the whistle on the fake history of World War II, it cost him his position at Oxford University. David Irvin’s histories, Churchill’s War and Hitler’s War were best sellers and widely acknowledged as definitive histories, the first history of the war resting entirely on the complete documentary record. These histories are the facts and nothing other than the facts. Nevertheless, they cost David Irving persecutions that damaged his health, stole his home, and intimidated his publishers.
Decades of writing have taught me that it is very difficult to inform people that what they know is wrong. This is particularly the case with American conservatives if you inform them that they are mistaken about something such as a war to which their patriotism is attached. Invariably, the question is: “Why are you making excuses for the enemy?”
False histories, particularly about wars, get written because the interpretation of the war has been laid down by war propaganda. The historian who tells the story is inhibited by public beliefs created by years of propaganda that attributes all crimes to the defeated enemy. As has long been known, “the victors write the history.” Writing a favorable history of a glorious victory over evil assures the historian’s success. To be a successful historian, all you have to do is to overlook inconvenient truths and tell some lies.
Can’t win TOTAL WAR if you find reading a chore.
Why no mention of the holocaust in the biographies of Churchill, Stalin, De Gaulle?
They never show the 1933 newspaper headline Judea declares war on Germany or the Churchill quote about breaking the Germans no matter who is in power.
Coasting on the fumes of 80 years ago won’t work in 2025.
The Final War is to enthrone the Global Soviet as the lumpen prole entertainment uber alles masses cry out please save us?
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