“Let's teach history in a different and better way”.

Does that mean actually teaching it at all; teaching facts (that would be different) or getting better at making it up as you go along. I wonder if this gentleman - “a theoretical chemist, not a professional historian, with a BOOK TO SELL - can tell us.

No. The author has just reviewed his own book (a task best left an independent 'other’), and he has also advertised another book of his at the end

//with a BOOK TO SELL//

"My recent book, The Information Explosion... is free to download and circulate."

//and he has also advertised another book of his at the end//

No, that's the same book again. And he's still giving it away free rather than selling it.

You can't build up the fame and authoritah of the Royals and the British Commonwealth on wussy social history!

Remember the most famous Royals:

- William the Conqueror

- Richard the Lionheart

- Henry V of Agincourt

- Elizabeth I beating the Spanish Armada

- even Queen Victoria who massively expanded her Empire by bribery and conquest.

See "Rule Britannia" starring Nelson of Trafalgar rulng the waves, Battles of Britain and of the Atlantic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZchwE0R5E

and Trains and Toys for Big Boys!

A better way? From who's perspective? Yours, mine, his or hers?
From the dawn of history until now, folks have wandered wherever they wanted regardless of who was there and how much they objected.
The present is a mighty river flowing into the sea! And is gone in a moment, never ever to been seen recovered or recompensed.
Every modern nation has an embarrassing history, as land was or is being stolen or "resumed".
Like ancient China, built by and large on the spoils of war. Ditto the Ottoman empire. Or modern day America. Settled like here, by the scum of England who annexed land in Scotland Ireland and Wales.
Then go rid of the rebellious former landholding troublemakers by transporting them halfway around the world, with as the first consequence, a huge mortality rate
! My only concern for history is the lessons we never ever seem to learn from them or that empires created by annexing other folks land, usually resides in the ego and fantasies of one or a very few individuals!
Even so, the entire racial cohort is expected to share the blame or responsibility.
Teach history any damn way you like as long as you live in the present, the only time you have! As we plan and or evocate for a far better, much more harmonious, cohabitating future!
People already here can't disappear into the ground or get out of the way! And needs the same thing every other human needs, food shelter, security and a viable future.
History can be weaponized and used to fracture centuries of harmonious peaceful, cohabitation with mutual benefits!
Alan B.

History is not only about conquest and land annexation/occupation. It's also applicable to a more recent past, us and how we treat each other or the wider community.
I'm sure by now, most folks would have seen those footballers, running on to the field wearing beanies. And to highlight a shameful history of brain cancer and a death toll that hasn't been statistically reduced by very much during the last thirty years.
And remains doggedly above the annual road toll! And likely to remain that way until the P.M. or a highly placed minister, has to witness the death of a child or beloved spouse?
Because that's likely what it would take to get these alleged Christians off their universal arse? And removing the legislated rules an regulations (their's) that prevent the development of, for peaceful purpose only, nuclear reactors or a nuclear industry.
And as MSR thorium, because it makes more miracle cancer curing Bismuth 213 than traditional rectors! Because MSR is not a pressurized system, can be extracted without unnecessary and costly shutdowns!
Let's teach history a different way, particularly one that highlights the generational ineptitude and clinical callous indifference of successive parliaments from both sides of the aisle, to this tragic and entirely unnecessary tragic history.
The people killed by this demonstrable, historical political indifference, and for literal decades; just as tragically dead and innocent as those kids killed by madmen with guns!
PRIORITIES!
Alan B.

plantagenet,
Actually the development of the British Empire depended far more on the effects of compassion and greed than any monarch.