The thing that most attracts me to historical fiction is taking the factual record as far as it is known using that as scaffolding and then letting imagination build the structure that fills in those things we can never find out for sure.

Humor has historically been tied to the mores of the day. The Yellow Kid was predicated on what people thought was funny about the immigrant Irish. When you're different in a society you're funny.

In prehistoric times mankind often had only two choices in crisis situations: fight or flee. In modern times humor offers us a third alternative fight flee - or laugh.

I race historic muscle cars back in Australia and that's my hobby. And I try to race home as soon as I've finished a movie but don't tell anyone.

The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.

For all history up to the end of the Cold War summit meetings were historic and dramatic occasions when leaders who controlled the destiny of much of the world met to change the world.

Watch the History Channel if you want it literal and historically perfect.

The general consensus among historians among the ones who can handle the fact that 'Lincoln' is in fact historical fiction is that we demonstrate enormous fidelity to history and that beyond that we've actually contributed a line of thinking about Lincoln's presidency that's somewhat original.

Accuracy is paramount in every detail of a work of history. Here's my rule: Ask yourself 'Did this thing happen?' If the answer is yes then it's historical. Then ask 'Did this thing happen precisely this way?' If the answer is yes then it's history if the answer is no not precisely this way then it's historical drama.

Asking the author of historical novels to teach you about history is like expecting the composer of a melody to provide answers about radio transmission.

We are not merely passive pawns of historical forces nor are we victims of the past. We can shape and direct history.

One of the consequences of the Iranian revolution has been an explosion of history. A country once known only from British consular reports and intrepid travelogues is now awash with historical documents letters diaries grainy video weblogs and secret police files of questionable authenticity.

Whatever can be noted historically can be found within history.

But every historical statement and legitimization itself moves within a certain relation to history.

We live in an era with no historical precedents. History is no longer useful as a tool in helping us understand current changes.

Generally speaking historically in this country the care of a child has been thought of as female business.

All truly historical peoples have an idea they must realize and when they have sufficiently exploited it at home they export it in a certain way by war they make it tour the world.

It's a very good historical book about history.

Because when we think about the real facts: 44 million Americans without health insurance millions without jobs a 50-year high on mortgage foreclosures an historic high the third year in a row on personal bankruptcies.

This is a historic moment in global public health demonstrating the international will to tackle a threat to health head on.

As founder and co-chair of the upper Mississippi River Congressional task force I have long sought to preserve the river's health and historical multiple uses including as a natural waterway and a home to wildlife for the benefit of future generations of Americans.

Challenges of historic import threaten America's future. Action on the deficit economy energy health care and much more is imperative yet our legislative institutions fail to act. Congress must be reformed.

In the past week it has become clear that the vote on the final healthcare bill will be very close. I take this vote with the utmost seriousness. I am quite aware of the historic fight that has lasted the better part of the last century to bring America in line with other modern democracies in providing single payer health care.

After a century of striving after a year of debate after a historic vote health care reform is no longer an unmet promise. It is the law of the land.