A beautiful essay about John Hirst's distinctive and significant contribution to our historical culture.

Félicitations ! Un travail extraordinaire.

Of course in some senses Napoleon was a soldier of the French Revolution but he also ended it in 1799. There are no clear ruptures in history.

Yes, but I'm also thinking of applied science with directly related things like the roll out of decimal measures.

Yes, you're quite correct: I should have had something to say about scientific and medical developments. That's a rather 'dated' volume now.

Thank you. 91 posts!

(from Australia) suggesting that you can explain the US dysfunction by reference to Trump and his body alone just demonstrates what's with US politics and commentary.

Spare a thought for the 2,000 people of the Australian territory of Norfolk Island who don't export anything to anyone but now have a tariff of 59%. Smart people those MAGAs.

Alas, the easiest way to explain history is to ascribe it to a trope connected with an individual, as if the smash and grab going on in the US can be fully explained by reference to Trump

Yes, you're right. The book sounds interesting so I'll keep an open mind!

The old clichés about "Robespierre's Terror" and his omnipotent control, apparently even over mirrors and underwear. Thanks for sending.

Sometimes you need to laugh.