The Great Events by Famous Historians, Vol. 1 | Page 4

details to be filled in by the
reader at his pleasure. It is thus, we believe, and thus only, that world
history can be made plain and popular. The great lessons of history can
thus be clearly grasped. And by their light all life takes on a deeper
meaning.
The body of each volume, then, contains the Great Events of the period,
ranged in chronological order. Of each event there are given one,
perhaps two, or even three complete accounts, not chosen hap-hazard,
but selected after conference with many scholars, accounts the most
accurate and most celebrated in existence, gathered from all languages
and all times. Where the event itself is under dispute, the editors do not
presume to judge for the reader; they present the authorities upon both
sides. The Reformation is thus portrayed from the Catholic as well as
the Protestant standpoint. The American Revolution is shown in part as
England saw it; and in the American Civil War, and the causes which
produced it, the North and the South speak for themselves in the words
of their best historians.
To each of these accounts is prefixed a brief introduction, prepared for
this work by a specialist in the field of history of which it treats. This
introduction serves a double purpose. In the first place, it explains
whatever is necessary for the understanding and appreciation of the
story that follows. Unfortunately, many a striking bit of historic writing
has become antiquated in the present day. Scholars have discovered
that it blunders here and there, perhaps is prejudiced, perhaps
extravagant. Newer writers, therefore, base a new book upon the old
one, not changing much, but paraphrasing it into deadly dullness by
their efforts after accuracy. Thanks to our introduction we can revive
the more spirited account, and, while pointing out its value to the reader,
can warn him of its errors. Thus he secures in briefest form the results
of the most recent research.
Another purpose of the introduction is to link each event with the

preceding ones in whatever countries it affects. Thus if one chooses he
may read by countries after all, and get a completed story of a single
nation. That is, he may peruse the account of the battle of Hastings and
then turn onward to the making of the Domesday Book, where he will
find a few brief lines to cover the intervening space in England's history.
From the struggles of Stephen and Matilda he is led to the quarrel of
her son, King Henry, with Thomas Becket, and so onward step by step.
Starting with this ground plan of the design in mind, the reader will see
that its compilation was a work of enormous labor. This has been
undertaken seriously, patiently, and with earnest purpose. The first
problem to be confronted was, What were the Great Events that should
be told? Almost every writer and teacher of history, every well-known
authority, was appealed to; many lists of events were compiled, revised,
collated, and compared; and so at last our final list was evolved, fitted
to bear the brunt of every criticism.
Then came the heavier problem of what authorities to quote for each
event. And here also the editors owe much to the capable aid of many
generous, unremunerated advisers. Thus, for instance, they sought and
obtained from the Hon. Joseph Chamberlain his advice as to the
authorities to be used for the Jameson raid and the Boer war. The
account presented may therefore be fairly regarded as England's own
authoritative presentment of those events. Several little known and
wholly unused Russian sources were pointed out by Professor
Rambaud, the French Academician. But this is mentioned only to
illustrate the impartiality with which the editors have endeavored to
cover all fields. If, under the plea of expressing gratitude to all those
who have lent us courteous assistance, we were to spread across these
pages the long roll of their distinguished names, it would sound too
much like boasting of their condescension.
The work of selecting the accounts has been one of time and careful
thought. Many thousands of books have been read and read again. The
cardinal points of consideration in the choice have been: (1) Interest,
that is, vividness of narration; (2) simplicity, for we aim to reach the
people, to make a book fit even for a child; (3) the fame of the author,

for everyone is pleased to be thus easily introduced to some
long-heard-of celebrity, distantly revered, but dreaded; and (4)
accuracy, a point set last because its defects could be so easily
remedied by the specialist's introduction to each event.
These considerations have led occasionally to the selection of very
ancient documents, the original "sources" of history themselves, as, for
instance, Columbus' own story of his voyage, rather