Antony Beevor
Antony Beevor
Antony James Beevor, FRSLis an English military historian. He has published several popular histories on the Second World War and the 20th century in general...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionHistorian
Date of Birth14 December 1946
decision battle way
The vital thing for me is to integrate the history from above with the history from below because only in that way can you show the true consequences of the decisions of Hitler or Stalin or whomever on the ordinary civilians caught up in the battle.
writing stopping i-can
I can't envisage stopping writing.
mean thinking select
I think it's outrageous if a historian has a 'leading thought' because it means they will select their material according to their thesis
army friendly wave
I joined the Army in 1965 and served with the 11th Hussars, which I loved. The regiment was so relaxed - a salute was more like a friendly wave.
doe way historian
I feel slightly uneasy at the way historians are consulted as if history is going to repeat itself. It never does.
book believe luck
I believe passionately in preemptive pessimism, especially before a book comes out. I expect the worst both from reviewers and sales, and then, with any luck, I may be proved wrong.
dream people together
The great European dream was to diminish militant nationalism. We would all be happy Europeans together. But we are going to see the old monster of militant nationalism being awoken when people realise how little control their politicians have.
mistake worst
To begin impatiently is the worst mistake a writer can make
pile spread
In my library/study/barn, there is a Ping-Pong table on which I can pile working books and spread maps.
clue lies nation pattern pedestal people searching sort sound supporters temptation themselves
The temptation in any approaching crisis or conflict is, because people haven't got a clue what lies ahead, they're always searching into the past for some sort of pattern ... to galvanise the nation or their supporters and put themselves on a pedestal to sound Churchillian or Rooseveltian.
almost basic careers civil discipline further history ideal needed politics practical private provides purely relations skills students
At a purely practical level, history is important because it provides the basic skills needed for students to go further in sociology, politics, international relations and economics. History is also an ideal discipline for almost all careers in the law, the civil service and the private sector.
ages dated head practice punishment shaving
The punishment of shaving a woman's head had biblical origins. In Europe, the practice dated back to the Dark Ages with the Visigoths.
allied armies local majority officers population treated
The majority of soldiers and officers of the Soviet Army and the allied armies treated the local population humanely.
conspiracy covers false legends religious theories
Counter-knowledge covers the propagation of false legends and conspiracy theories often used for political purposes or fundamentalist religious propaganda.