I've always been interested in foreign relations. It's my belief that study of history should be our preparation for understanding the present rather than an escape from it.

As you know, human history is full of evil deeds, and maybe we ought to think of them with tears, not fascination.

And how could anyone consent to give up the smell of open books, old or new?

Today I will go to wait for her again, because I cannot help it, because my whole being seems now to be bound up in the being of one so different from myself and yet so exquisitely familiar that I can scarely understand what has happened.

For the first time, I had been struck by the excitement of the traveler who looks history in her subtle face.

I think it's important to recognise that 'The Da Vinci Code' opened up a vast new audience for a general readership interested in historical detective stories and research into history.

For me, Dracula has always been associated with travel and beautiful historical places.