Richard Cohen, author of Making History: The Storytellers Who Shaped the Past, dives into the intricate world of historiography. He discusses how personal beliefs of historians like Herodotus and Thucydides shape our understanding of history. The conversation also explores the Bible as a complex cultural artifact and Sir Walter Scott's lasting influence on literature and Scottish identity. Cohen emphasizes the power dynamics in historical narratives and the importance of incorporating diverse voices for a more truthful portrayal of our past.
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Historian's Personal Agendas
Don David Knowles, a Benedictine monk historian, held biases about monks that shaped his history writing.
His personal experiences influenced his portrayal of monastic life, showing historian agendas.
insights INSIGHT
Historians' Inescapable Bias
Historians, like Eric Hobsbawm, can never truly be objective despite trying to follow rules.
Personal beliefs deeply influence historical narratives and reputations.
insights INSIGHT
Evolution of History Writing
History's narrative and methodology evolved from myths to professional academic discipline over 2,500 years.
Changing political and religious pressures shaped history writing styles and purposes.
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Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys. The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis. It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth. The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements[3][4][5].
A Man for All Seasons
Robert BOLT
The play, written by Robert Bolt, depicts the final years of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Lord Chancellor of England. It explores More's principled stance against King Henry VIII's desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon and his refusal to sign the Oath of Supremacy, declaring Henry the Supreme Head of the Church of England. The play delves into themes of conscience, identity, and the conflict between personal beliefs and political pressures. It follows More's journey from his position of power to his eventual execution, highlighting his unwavering commitment to his principles despite the severe consequences[4][5][1].
Histories
Herodotus
The Histories by Herodotus is a foundational work in Western historical literature. It chronicles the Greco-Persian Wars (499–479 BCE) and provides a comprehensive background on the rise and organization of the Persian Empire. The work is divided into nine books, each named after one of the Muses. Herodotus describes the conflicts between the Greeks and Persians, including key battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, Plataea, and Mycale. He also delves into the cultural, ethnographical, geographical, and historiographical aspects of the civilizations involved, offering a rich tapestry of historical and mythological narratives. Despite some criticisms for including legendary accounts, much of Herodotus's work has been validated by modern historians and archaeologists[1][2][3].
Capital
Karl Marx
Das Kapital is a comprehensive critique of capitalism written by Karl Marx. The work is divided into three volumes. Volume I, published in 1867, focuses on the production process of capital, introducing the concept of surplus value and the exploitation of labor. Volume II, published posthumously in 1885, examines the circulation of capital, while Volume III, published in 1894, discusses the capitalist process as a whole, including the internal differentiation of the capitalist class and the tendency of the rate of profit to fall. Marx argues that capitalism is characterized by the exploitation of labor, leading to class conflict and eventual crises that necessitate the emergence of a new mode of production[1][4][5].
“When Herodotus composed his great work,” Richard Cohen writes at the start of Making History: The Storytellers Who Shaped the Past, “people named it The Histories, but scholars have pointed out that the word means more accurately ‘inquiries’ or ‘researches.’ Calling it The Histories dilutes its originality. I want to make a larger claim about those who have shaped the way we view our past—actually, who have given us our past. I believe that the wandering Greek’s investigations brought into play, 2,500 years ago, a special kind of inquiry—one that encompasses geography, ethnography, philology, genealogy, sociology, biography, anthropology, psychology, imaginative re-creation (as in the arts), and many other kinds of knowledge, too. The person who exhibits this wide-ranging curiosity should rejoice in the title: historian.”
This week on the podcast, Lewis H. Lapham speaks with Richard Cohen, author of Making History: The Storytellers Who Shaped the Past, about some of the historians discussed in his book, as well as the many mediums they relied on to shape their narratives.
Thanks to our generous donors. Lead support for this podcast has been provided by Elizabeth “Lisette” Prince. Additional support was provided by James J. “Jimmy” Coleman Jr.
The World in Time / Lapham’s Quarterly 
