On The Spot: Justin Marozzi
What’s the most important lesson history has taught me? That we learn nothing from it.
Why are you a historian of the Middle East?
My father was born in Beirut – and the Middle East and Arab world became a part of my childhood. I’ve studied, worked and travelled there ever since.
What’s the most important lesson history has taught you?
That we learn nothing from history. We never have and we never will.
Which history book has had the greatest influence on you?
Herodotus’ Histories.
What book in your field should everyone read?
Albert Hourani’s A History of the Arab Peoples.
Which moment would you most like to go back to?
29 May 1453: the fall of Christian Constantinople to the irresistible Ottoman forces of 21-year-old Sultan Mehmet II.
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