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David Hackett Fischer Quotes

Until Washington crossed the Delaware, the triumph of the old order seemed inevitable. Thereafter, things would never be the same again.

David Hackett Fischer

Until Washington crossed the Delaware, the triumph of the old order seemed inevitable. Thereafter, things would never be the same again.

Tags: american revolution, george washington, war

New England farmers did not think of war as a game, or a feudal ritual, or an instrument of state power, or a bloodsport for bored country gentlemen. They did not regard the pursuit of arms as a noble...

David Hackett Fischer

New England farmers did not think of war as a game, or a feudal ritual, or an instrument of state power, or a bloodsport for bored country gentlemen. They did not regard the pursuit of arms as a noble...

About Author
David Hackett Fischer (born December 2, 1935) is University Professor of History Emeritus at Brandeis University. Fischer's major works have covered topics ranging from large macroeconomic and cultural trends (Albion's Seed, The Great Wave) to narrative histories of significant events (Paul Revere's Ride, Washington's Crossing) to explorations of historiography (Historians' Fallacies, in which he coined the term "historian's fallacy").

We never let go of a belief once fixed in our minds quoted by an Appalachian women with an air of pride.' (This quote explains a lot about my family)

David Hackett Fischer

We never let go of a belief once fixed in our minds quoted by an Appalachian women with an air of pride.' (This quote explains a lot about my family)

This hostility to unnatural sex had a demographic consequence of high importance. Puritan moralists condemned as unnatural any attempt to prevent conception within marriage. This was not a common atti...

David Hackett Fischer

This hostility to unnatural sex had a demographic consequence of high importance. Puritan moralists condemned as unnatural any attempt to prevent conception within marriage. This was not a common atti...

These are the times that try men’s souls, Paine began. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW deserves the l...

David Hackett Fischer

These are the times that try men’s souls, Paine began. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW deserves the l...

That case was not unique in the sexual history of New Haven. When a second deformed pig was born in that troubled town, another unfortunate eccentric was also accused of bestiality by his neighbors. E...

David Hackett Fischer

That case was not unique in the sexual history of New Haven. When a second deformed pig was born in that troubled town, another unfortunate eccentric was also accused of bestiality by his neighbors. E...

Some of these words appear in metropolitan French, but a person of Saintonge who speaks the parlanjhe of the region is uniquely called a goulebenèze, literally, a happy mouth.

David Hackett Fischer

Some of these words appear in metropolitan French, but a person of Saintonge who speaks the parlanjhe of the region is uniquely called a goulebenèze, literally, a happy mouth.

Sexual intercourse was taboo on the Lord’s Day. The Puritans believed that children were born on the same day of the week as when they had been conceived. Unlucky infants who entered the world on the...

David Hackett Fischer

Sexual intercourse was taboo on the Lord’s Day. The Puritans believed that children were born on the same day of the week as when they had been conceived. Unlucky infants who entered the world on the...

Americans tended to think of war as something that had to be done from time to time, for a particular purpose or goal. They fought not for the sake of fighting but for the sake of winning.

David Hackett Fischer

Americans tended to think of war as something that had to be done from time to time, for a particular purpose or goal. They fought not for the sake of fighting but for the sake of winning.

Tags: war

Rarely was Richelieu accused of leniency. In his hubris, he was alleged to have said, Give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest man, and I will find something there to hang him.14

David Hackett Fischer

Rarely was Richelieu accused of leniency. In his hubris, he was alleged to have said, Give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest man, and I will find something there to hang him.14

It was typical of Washington’s style of leadership to present a promising proposal as someone else’s idea, rather than his own.

David Hackett Fischer

It was typical of Washington’s style of leadership to present a promising proposal as someone else’s idea, rather than his own.

Many activities were forbidden on the Sabbath: work, play, and unnecessary travel. Even minor instances of Sabbath-breaking were punished with much severity. The Essex County Court indicted a man for...

David Hackett Fischer

Many activities were forbidden on the Sabbath: work, play, and unnecessary travel. Even minor instances of Sabbath-breaking were punished with much severity. The Essex County Court indicted a man for...

Long voyages under sail with crews that spoke many tongues made a ship into a language school.

David Hackett Fischer

Long voyages under sail with crews that spoke many tongues made a ship into a language school.

The island was said to be completely covered with pigeons. Thousands of them fattened on the raspberries, and the settlers fed on the pigeons.16

David Hackett Fischer

The island was said to be completely covered with pigeons. Thousands of them fattened on the raspberries, and the settlers fed on the pigeons.16

There was no heat in these buildings, partly because the earliest meetinghouses also served as powder magazines, and fires threatened to blow the entire congregation to smithereens. They were bitter c...

David Hackett Fischer

There was no heat in these buildings, partly because the earliest meetinghouses also served as powder magazines, and fires threatened to blow the entire congregation to smithereens. They were bitter c...

Threatened. As late as 1775, townsmen within twenty miles of the sea were urged to carry arms to church lest godless British raiding parties surprise them while at worship. After the service, the men...

David Hackett Fischer

Threatened. As late as 1775, townsmen within twenty miles of the sea were urged to carry arms to church lest godless British raiding parties surprise them while at worship. After the service, the men...

Every Canadian winter was a mortal challenge to its habitants.

David Hackett Fischer

Every Canadian winter was a mortal challenge to its habitants.

This idea of collective liberty also was expressed in many bizarre obligations which New England towns collectively imposed upon their members. Eastham’s town meeting, for example, ordered that no sin...

David Hackett Fischer

This idea of collective liberty also was expressed in many bizarre obligations which New England towns collectively imposed upon their members. Eastham’s town meeting, for example, ordered that no sin...

Thus the fate of entire Kingdoms often depends upon a few blockheads and irresolute men.43

David Hackett Fischer

Thus the fate of entire Kingdoms often depends upon a few blockheads and irresolute men.43

Empirical studies show that New Zealanders are the most widely traveled people on the planet. The computer and the Internet have made a major difference. Insularity, distance, and isolation may have b...

David Hackett Fischer

Empirical studies show that New Zealanders are the most widely traveled people on the planet. The computer and the Internet have made a major difference. Insularity, distance, and isolation may have b...