Honestly one of the best book reviews I think I've ever read. Alongside a thoughtful analysis of both books it also sets out the limits of what greater historical understanding can and can't achieve. https://twitter.com/stephenkb/status/1359833922532737026

A few days ago I did a thread on science and the conceptual flaw that's dogged us through the pandemic re science = an agreed truth. There's a similar point re: history. Learning more about it doesn't give you access to the truth, it gives you more material to interpret.

There are plenty of extremely well-read and thoughtful historians who supported Brexit (Tombs and Roberts for e.g.) in part because they intepret the historical record differently from me and others.

So when we talk about putting more focus on empire/slavery in the curriculum I'm all in favour. I want much more time for history generally. But it won't mean everyone then goes on believe the same thing - it might make your opponents better at arguing their case too.