Appeals Quote by Edward Hallett Carr
“History consists of a corpus ascertained facts. The facts are available to the historian in documents, inscriptions and so on, like fish in the fishmonger's slab. The historian collects them, takes them home, and cooks and serves them in whatever style appeals to him.”
About This Quote
Source Book: What is History? by E. H. Carr, 1961
History is constructed from raw facts, which historians select and shape according to their perspectives.
In simple terms: Historians choose and present facts based on their view.
Key Takeaway
Be aware of bias in historical narratives.
Themes
history
interpretation
bias
methodology
truth
Mood
analytical
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic research
- teaching
- public discourse
- media analysis
Key Concepts
source criticism
narrative construction
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess a historian’s bias?
- What methods ensure balanced historical accounts?
A Different Perspective
Facts alone don’t guarantee objectivity; interpretation matters.
