Shelby Foote

“A university is just a group of buildings gathered around a library.”

“Any understanding of this nation has to be based, and I mean really based, on an understanding of the Civil War.”

“Before the war, it was said 'the United States are.' After the war, it was 'the United States is.' That sums up what the war accomplished.”

“I think that the Civil War is one of the great sources of our country's woe, but also of our country's greatness.”

“Writing is a struggle against silence.”

“The Civil War was the crossroads of our being, and it was a hell of a crossroads.”

“A fact is not a truth until you love it.”

“History is not a science; it's an art.”

“I'm a novelist who spent 20 years writing a history.”

“I abhor the idea of a perfect world. It would be the same boring place.”

“I think making mistakes is the biggest learning tool.”

“A Southerner's memory is long.”