Alvaro Enrigue Quotes

I think that America has an obsession with history, really.

With each passing decade, history becomes less real for us, less immediate and essential to our way of life, and so, like 'green' nature, more of a commodity or an advertising gimmick.

Although I write to entertain, and try to keep my work free of didacticism, I do have a rather passionate belief in our need to be connected to - and to learn from - history.

I like historical pieces. History was my favorite subject in school, it was the only subject I excelled in. I love the idea of history and the idea that we may have the opportunity to learn from our past mistakes.

An accurate knowledge of the past of a country is necessary for everyone who would understand its present, and who desires to judge of its future.

A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.

To communicate the truths of history is an act of hope for the future.

But we cannot rely on memorials and museums alone. We can tell ourselves we will never forget and we likely won't. But we need to make sure that we teach history to those who never had the opportunity to remember in the first place.

I think people in general have neglected to learn about history.

Most of us get our history through story.

I don't think you should ever run from history. You should learn from it and embrace it.

If people really want to know and learn from history, why do they want bad history? Why don't they want good history? Wouldn't you rather know the truth, rather than the legend?

Making history whole is about uncovering secrets.

Unless we know where we've been as a country, we don't know where we are or where we are going.

Israel is too attached to America, too influenced by America. It should be connected to Europe. America is based on mythology - the free man, the individual, the open frontier. Europe is more conscious of history. Take Britain and Shakespeare. You shape your identity through history.

Too many people take New York for granted. The primary reason is that history is not taught. That's outrageous in a city where the past is still visible.

Most national holidays in most countries rest on selective memories of the past.

I was always pretty interested in my history. Not just the history of the Caribbean, the history of my people, but all walks of life.

It is important never to forget our history, but parts of our history are more appropriately displayed in museums, not on government property.

My work as a whole is about excavating and shining a light on pieces of history that not only need to be seen and heard, but that can also add to the conversation about what's going on now.

History lets you know exactly where you are today. And if you pay attention to it, it gives you a broad perspective of everyone. You can relate it to pretty much any time.

We must do our best to raise the public awareness of the past in all its richness and complexity.

For history is to the nation as memory is to the individual.

History is not the proper midden for digging up novelties. Perhaps that is one reason why a nation bent on novelty ignores it.

Our history is a passion for me. I feel that we leave out so much information and huge gaps in the American story and it makes it hard for people to really understand that we are all intricately related as Americans. So I am attracted to historically based projects because we entertain and learn something at the same time. I just love that combination.