History is not another name for the past as many people imply. It is the name for stories about the past.

— A. J. P. Taylor

Human blunders usually do more to shape history than human wickedness.

— A. J. P. Taylor

In my opinion, most of the great men of the past were only there for the beer - the wealth, prestige and grandeur that went with the power.

— A. J. P. Taylor

Like most of those who study history, he (Napoleon III) learned from the mistakes of the past how to make new ones.

— A. J. P. Taylor

No matter what political reasons are given for war, the underlying reason is always economic.

— A. J. P. Taylor

No war is inevitable until it breaks out.

— A. J. P. Taylor

The great armies, accumulated to provide security and preserve the peace, carried the nations to war by their own weight.

— A. J. P. Taylor