History isn't just what happened, but what happened to whom and why and what would have been different if the cast of characters had been different.

There are people who are trying to write history for the general reader who can be quite tedious. That said, I do feel in my heart of hearts that if history isn't well written, it isn't going to be read, and if it isn't read it's going to die.

They must be cool but determined...he threatened instant death to any man who showed cowardice.

It was an utterly phenomenal achievement.

I just thank my father and mother, my lucky stars, that I had the advantage of an education in the humanities.

If you get down about the state of American culture, just remember there are still more public libraries in this country than there are McDonalds.

I'm drawn particularly to stories that evolve out of the character of the protagonist.