In 1917 European history, in the old sense, came to an end. World history began. It was the year of Lenin and Woodrow Wilson, both of whom repudiated the traditional standards of political behaviour. Both preached Utopia, Heaven on Earth. It was the moment of birth for our contemporary world.

The great armies, accumulated to provide security and preserve the peace, carried the nations to war by their own weight.

When I write I have no loyalty except to historical truth as I see it and care no more about British achievements and mistakes than any other.

Like most of those who study history, he (Napoleon III) learned from the mistakes of the past how to make new ones.

A racing tipster who only reached Hitler's level of accuracy would not do well for his clients.

If there had been a strong democratic sentiment in Germany, Hitler would never have come to power . [Germans] deserved what they got when they went round crying for a hero.

There is nothing more agreeable in life than to make peace with the establishment and nothing more corrupting.