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 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.

I think one of the great disasters (in military history) is the way that the Second World War has become the defining reference point for every crisis and every conflict.

Dear friends, do you know that you are lucky people? You don't have any cows to lose.

When you are led by values, it doesn't cost your business, it helps your business.

This is a photograph of me as I wish I looked all the time. Then I might have a chance of getting in Hollywood.

Any pleasure that does no harm to other people is to be valued.

An object is frequently not seen, from not knowing how to see it, rather than from any defect of the organ of vision.

The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment he can tolerate.

If you ever watch children play - what do you observe when you watch children play? You know, they're dead serious. They're not on vacation.

One way of celebrating the Solstice is to consider it a sacred time of reflection, release, restoration, and renewal.

‎No one remembers the singer. The song remains.

You can't always be friendly. It's impossible, there isn't the time.