“ The formula Muscovy + Ukraine = Russia does not feature in the Russians’ own version of their history; but it is fundamental. Norman Davies
“ The historical profession is nowhere famous for its tolerance, but there are not many countries where historians can expect to pay for their opinions with penal servitude or the firing squad. Norman Davies
“ It is indeed the duty of historians to stress the contrast betweenthe standards of the past and the standards of the present. Somefulfil that duty on purpose, others by accident. Norman Davies
“ The Fascist utopia, like that of the Communists, was false, and generated immense suffering. But there were those who dreamed it sincerely. Norman Davies
“ Historians usually focus their attention on the past of countries that still exist, writing hundreds and thousands of books on British history, French history, German history, Russian history, America… Norman Davies
“ Wcześniej czy później dekonstrukcjonistów zdekonstruują ich własne metody. Przeżyliśmy Śmierć Boga i Śmierć Człowieka. Z pewnością przeżyjemy także Śmierć Historii... i Śmierć Postmodernizmu. Norman Davies
“ As from the 1490s, the double-headed eagle began to appear as the symbol of state in Moscow as in Vienna, as indeed in Constantinople. Norman Davies
“ Also in 1492, and also for the first time, the ‘new Constantinople—Moscow’ may have been given its more familiar label of ‘the Third Rome’. Norman Davies
“ To make his point, Ivan staged a sensational demonstration. Some time before Christmas he had arrested two Lithuanians employed in the Moscow Kremlin. He charged them with plotting to poison him. The… Norman Davies
“ Marcus Aurelius had a marvellous sense of who, and where, he was: As the Emperor Antoninus, Rome is my city and my country; but as a man, I am a citizen of the world . . . Asia and Europe are mere cor… Norman Davies
“ Grain prices in France, for example, where the supply of coin was relatively scarce, were over seven times higher in 1600 than in 1500. Norman Davies
“ The title 'Lord of All-Rus' did not possess much basis either in history or in current reality. It came into the same category as that whereby the kings of England laid claim to France. In the 1490s,… Norman Davies
“ Only a Christian culture could have produced a Voltaire or a Nietzsche. I do not believe that the culture of Europe could survive the complete disappearance of the Christian Faith. Norman Davies
“ Wars can be traced to a scuffle between a man and a boy, both of whom summon aid to their respective sides. Norman Davies
“ It was at ‘The Little Lodge’ I was first menaced with Education. The approach of a sinister figure described as ‘the Governess’ was announced … Mrs Everest produced a book called Reading without Tears… Norman Davies
“ Discord among the ex-Soviet nationalities was fuelling an ugly brand of Russian nationalism. Voices in Moscow called for the re-conquest of Russia’s ‘near abroad’. For after Abkhazia, there waited sev… Norman Davies
“ Extensive coin hoards, two from eighth-century Central Asia, showed that Novgorod’s far-flung trading contacts had never been seriously interrupted, even by the Mongol invasions. [DIRHAM] Norman Davies
