Saturday, June 19, 2021

Disputable Fact, Fantasy and Pure Fiction

Currently, in the world of academia or is it literature, a hefty debate involves the "fleshing out" of the often skeletal or even documented but subject to interpretation tales of yore - history. The Economist of June 12, 2021 explains the debate well and covers arguments from "both sides".

Its priceless description of the traditionalists reaction to current trends seen in "reconstruction" is worthy:

Academic historians tend to be sniffy about all this. But though their work may be unsullied by ingratiating ornament, it is also , often, untouched by readers.

This is true, and understandable but, at present in particular, a great pity.



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