"I want to be a history writer. The challenge with writing about...

"I want to be a history writer. The challenge with writing about history is finding the right mix of artistry and facts. If you only write facts, it’s way too dull. History can be very poetic."
"What do you think is the most poetic thing about history?"
"One theme is the struggle of man against nature. There’s the belief that the further man gets from nature, the more civilized he becomes. Cities are the culmination of this idea, with all the art and intellectual traditions that have come out of cities."
"Do you believe that man becomes more civilized the further he gets from nature?"
"No. Because no matter what you build around you, you can’t escape your ape nature. Look at Nazi Germany. All their amazing technology and buildings were put in service of their most uncivilized instincts."