We must admit that history is enjoyable to a large extent because it enables us to pass judgment on the past.

History provides no precise guidelines.

People know they are lacking something, they are constantly wanting some kind of spiritual guidance.

There is no consensus even today on the merits of Napoleon - and certainly no agreement on the rights and wrongs of the origins of the First World War.

No military timetable should compel war when a successful outcome, namely a disarmed Iraq may be feasible without war, for example by allowing more time to the UN inspectors.

There are thus great swathes of the past where understanding is more important and reputable than judgement, because the principal actors performed in line with the ideas and values of that time, not of ours.

Diplomacy is unfashionable in the world of knee-jerk reaction and the dogmatic sound bite on television.