Past Imperfect by Peter Charles Hoffer

“Cable television’s fast-talking pundits and the Web’s all-purpose bloggers have taken the scholar’s place as spokespeople for our past and oracles of our future. The old scholarly forums, the conference panel and the refereed book and article, have given way to the sound bite and the blog entry. As a result, Americans do not know whom to believe, and thus have come to believe that every historical statement, from whatever source, is the equivalent of every other. They are free to choose the history that suits their fears, prejudices, and politics. History does not make them think; it comforts and reassures.”

-Peter Charles Hoffer, 2004