The botched retreat of the French from Moscow is a great example of how absurd the “great man” theory of history really is. Rather than admit this, however, historians make up a new definition of greatness.
The botched retreat of the French from Moscow is a great example of how absurd the “great man” theory of history really is. Rather than admit this, however, historians make up a new definition of greatness.
Book 14, Chapter 18
The botched retreat of the French from Moscow is a great example of how absurd the “great man” theory of history really is. Rather than admit this, however, historians make up a new definition of greatness.
Summary:
During their flight from Moscow, the French almost seemed like they were just trying to screw up. What they were doing made no sense at all. So, obviously, Napoleon was not personally guiding history. One would think, therefore, that historians, who attributed the actions of the mass to the will of one man, could not possibly make the story of the retreat fit into their “great man” theory. But no! What we find instead is that mountains of books have been written by the historians about this campaign, praising Napoleon’s arrangements, maneuvers, plans, and the military genius shown by the marshals. Instead of acknowledging that the facts contradict their precious theory, historians prefer to rationalize and redefine “greatness”. They say, in effect, that a great man can do nothing wrong, so therefore there is no atrocity for which a great man can be blamed.
quote from the chapter:
And lastly, the final departure of the great Emperor from his heroic army is presented to us by the historians as something great and characteristic of genius. Even that final running away, described in ordinary language as the lowest depth of baseness which every child is taught to be ashamed of-even that act finds justification in the historians’ language.
When it is impossible to stretch the very elastic threads of historical ratiocination any farther, when actions are clearly contrary to all that humanity calls right or even just, the historians produce a saving conception of greatness. Greatness, it seems, excludes the standards of right and wrong. For the great man nothing is wrong, there is no atrocity for which a great man can be blamed.
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