A sharp defense of a major historical work against a hostile review.
This book presents a careful response to misrepresentations about the life of Clarendon, defending the author’s judgments with evidence and measured argument.
The author argues that criticisms are often petty or unfounded, and he emphasizes the importance of relying on original sources rather than secondary, competing claims. He examines specific charges, including accusations of partisanship and errors about key figures, and he contrasts his approach with the reviewer’s methods.
- A clear outline of the author’s method for assessing historical claims.
- Close readings of contested passages and how to weigh evidence from primary sources.
- Discussion of how misinterpretations can arise from selective quotation or outdated assumptions.
- Examples of how to test critics’ assertions against the original documents.
Ideal for readers who value rigorous historical argument and a meticulous, source-driven approach to biography.