The blurring of fact and fiction has great commercial potential, which is bound to be corrupting in historical terms.

When I was younger I used to get my best writing done at night, but now it has to be during the day. I usually finish work at half past seven, then go back to the house to open a bottle of wine, have dinner, and then read or watch television.

I just love the days when you come out of the archives with half a dozen excellent descriptions or poignant accounts of personal experiences.

I think it's outrageous if a historian has a 'leading thought' because it means they will select their material according to their thesis

I just write the sort of book that I would enjoy reading myself, a book that is both scholarly and recreates the experience of people at that time.

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.

The blurring of fact and fiction has great commercial potential, which is bound to be corrupting in historical terms.