Writing history is one thing, but if you want to write really bad history, here’s a quick guide.
Among the recommendations:
* Make no distinction between facts and interpretation. In any case, remember that the truth of the latter determines the truth of the former.
* Assume that ulterior motives lie behind the work of any scholars who disagree with you.
* Project today’s political battles onto your ancestors’ lives.
* Use nice round numbers. Then round them again. With enough rounding, any number will support your position.
* Either adopt a position of total relativism or ignore context altogether. Switch sides as appropriate.
* Blame historical figures for failing to take into account what you know but they did not.
* Remember that a lack of acceptance or publicity is always evidence of a conspiracy.
* When characterizing your opponents’ work, employ the term “revisionist” a lot. At the same time, obsess over how wrong the conventional understanding is.
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