It would be wrong not to acknowledge the vitality of factual, textbook, history. While it is the least important of the three artificial divisions I have created, it still is essential. It provides a common, unifying framework from which we can hang our personal stories. All of humanity has certain experiences in common and a need to know the objective facts about these events.

History on this level is most meaningful when it is the history of a nation. In this context, it becomes a history with a common unifying effect. For example, much of the American psyche is routed in our Revolutionary War. This factual history provides the basis for important rallying points. Without this basis, we would have no idea of what makes America unique or special. This sort of national history becomes a story of where we came from as a group. Certainly, where we are as a group today defines much of our personal lives. We would all be very different if we had the common national history of Romania instead of America.

I do not mean to diminish the study of factual history. Without this basis, we would not be able to progress to more meaningful and relevant areas of history. However, to limit oneself to merely the facts in a book robs oneself of the ability to see how history impacts their lives. It is only when we go deeper and develop personal connections that history becomes meaningful.

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