Records and History

The author spends a good part of the book describing historians and how and why they record history. Some like Livy relied heavily on stories, while others such as Polybius, wrote more about strategies and tactical maneuvers. He highlights how the most reliable historians had access to interviews, records, and stories that happened closest to the actual historical event.

The author explains that many parts of history are lost forever, yet thanks to ancient writings and archaeological discoveries, many pieces of history can be put back together. He states that history doesn't repeat itself, but there are times when it parallels itself. For example, he compares the first and second Punic wars to World War I and World War II. Both started small, seeming nearly harmless, then escalated. Both stretched on for long periods of time, and by the end of the first, there were still...