Account Quote by Rick Atkinson
“I conduct very few interviews with veterans. The contemporaneous, or near-contemporaneous, record for WWII is so spectacularly deep that latter-day recollections are largely unnecessary for a historian. Of course, in considering any account, I'm looking for additional sources that can confirm or enlarge that version of events.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Historian’s Craft, 2015
Primary WWII records are so detailed that later personal recollections add little, though historians still seek corroborating sources.
In simple terms: WWII docs are comprehensive; interviews are secondary.
Key Takeaway
Use primary sources first, then verify with other evidence.
Themes
history
research
WWII
source criticism
methodology
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
academic
methodological
When to use this quote
- archival research
- documentary projects
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
primary evidence
corroboration
historical methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can historians balance official records with personal narratives?
- What value do veteran interviews add?
A Different Perspective
Personal stories can provide unique perspectives absent in records.
