“Rome, on the other hand, lost—suffering on that one day more battle deaths than the United States during the entire course of the war in Vietnam, suffering more dead soldiers than any other army on any single day of combat in the entire course of Western military history.”

“In other words, what we know for sure is entirely limited, and all the rest is basically opinion.”

“That’s the way it is with Appian; things that appear ridiculous on average just might have happened, so they cannot be entirely dismissed.”

“Destroying Iraq was the greatest strategic blunder this country has made in its history. Unless we change course, there's every reason to believe the Iraq War will end up changing the United States more than it will ever change Iraq.”

“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.”

“Nothing is more important to a nation than its history. It is the earth upon which any society stands.”

“People matter more than things.”