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.

Recently abandoned women can be complicated.

As a historian, I have learned that, in fact, not everyone who reaches back into history can survive it. And it is not only reaching back that endangers us; sometimes history itself reaches inexorably forward for us with its shadowy claws.

In the end, I always act from the heart, even if I also value reason and tradition. I wish I could explain why, but I don't know.

It was not the brutality of what occurred next that changed my mind and brought home to me the full meaning of fear. It was the brilliance of it.

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.