I can't envisage stopping writing.

To begin impatiently is the worst mistake a writer can make

If you smash a city when you're trying to capture it, you actually end up providing the perfect terrain for the defenders while blocking the access for your own armoured vehicles.

I just write the sort of book that I would enjoy reading myself, a book that is both scholarly and recreates the experience of people at that time.

Few things reveal more about political leaders and their systems than the manner of their downfall.

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.

I think it's outrageous if a historian has a 'leading thought' because it means they will select their material according to their thesis

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.

The duty of a historian is simply to understand and then convey that understanding, no more than that.

I feel slightly uneasy at the way historians are consulted as if history is going to repeat itself. It never does.

The British bombing of Caen beginning on D-Day in particular was stupid, counter-productive and above all very close to a war crime.

To leave, after all, was not the same as being left.

If there's one thing I believe, its that I don't know anything and anything can happen

It’s hard to have done all one’s growing up since 33 — but that’s a damn sight better than not growing up at all.

Regardless of what one's attitude towards prohibition may be, temperance is something against which, at a time of war, no reasonable protest can be made.

I think it's fair to say you can't predict a straight line to victory. You know, there'll be good days and bad days along the way.

There was confusion since I stood here 35 years ago.

I wanted to be a "serious artist." Serious artists didn't tend to be funny. But that didn't get me a lot of attention. And just growing older, you can't help it, you take things less seriously.

I think if women put some more of the time and money they put on their heads in their heads, they’d be better off.

Education is the key to opportunity in our society, and the equality of educational opportunity must be the birthright of every citizen.

I looked a hundred times and all I saw was dust. The sun broke through and flecks of gold filled the air.