The leaf gathers the golden rays of the sun but knows nothing of the earth
The roots probe the deep dark soil and drink the water but know nothing of the sky
The Bark feels the heat and cold and shields the tree but is blind to all else
None of the parts see or knows the whole tree
Good Historians try to look from many perspectives and many vantage points to to see the totality of an event. When dealing with a huge experience, one that involves multiple viewpoints and many many people being able to look through all those different eyes to try to see things as a whole is of great value.
Books like a "A Day of Infamy" and "The Longest Day" illustrate this.
Respectfully
Jamie
-See it there, a white plume
Over the battle - A diamond in the ash
Of the ultimate combustion-My panache
Edmond Rostand
Bookmarks