The very worst impulses of humankind can survive generations, centuries, even millennia. And the best of our individual efforts can die with us at the end of a single lifetime.

...what will we someday do, I always wonder, without the pleasures of turning through books and stumbling on things we never meant to find?

The thing that most haunted me that day, however...was the fact that these things had - apparently - actually occurred...For all his attention to my historical education, my father had neglected to tell me this: history's terrible moments were real. I understand now, decades later, that he could never have told me. Only history itself can convince you of such a truth. And once you've seen that truth - really seen it - you can't look away.

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

I've noticed Dracula was often as practical a fellow as he was a nasty one.

Sometimes people damage paintings or sculpture because they love it. They throw their arms around a statue in a fit of hysterical passion and it falls over.

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