An historian should yield himself to his subject, become immersed in the place and period of his choice, standing apart from it now and then for a fresh view.

America was named after a man who discovered no part of the New World. History is like that, very chancy.

Dream dreams and write them aye, but live them first.

An historian should yield himself to his subject, become immersed in the place and period of his choice, standing apart from it now and then for a fresh view.

One learns more from defeat than from victory.

But sea power has never led to despotism. The nations that have enjoyed sea power even for a brief period-Athens, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, England, the United States-are those that have preserved freedom for themselves and have given it to others. Of the despotism to which unrestrained military power leads we have plenty of examples from Alexander to Mao.

If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worthwhile.