The Use and Abuse of History

I am perhaps the wrong person to be saying this - anyone who browses through my reviews will discover plenty of certainties - but there is something about the brilliant, all too brilliant Sir Moses I. Finley that is thoroughly off-putting. He is often right; but not as often as he is certain that he is right - and worse, that he is clever. Some of the historians he condemns may have richly deserved their condemnation; nevertheless, there is a sense that he is kneeling at the altar of his own genius and burning odorous incense to himself.Having said that, his studies are almost uniformly important and often indispensable. It is remarkable how one not particularly long or comprehensive article about Sparta - reprinted here - has managed to set the stage for studies about Laconia ever since; and yet Sparta as such was a bit of a side-show to Finley, whose main interests were in law, society and economics. It is very difficult to investigate any aspect of Classical Greek and Roman civilization without, sooner or later, having to deal with his views; and for that reason alone, his books should always be read. There is also the fact that, however irritating his sense of superiority may be, he so often takes moral positions that are eminently sane, sensible and acceptable. There are few freaks with Sir Moses; and plenty of insights; but there is always that slight sense of self-satisfaction...

M.I.Finley is a distinquish scholar of the classical world and is one of the leading authorities on Aristotle. This selection of essays give some sense to the extent of his considerable learning. The most outstanding of these essays is the one that lends itself to the title of the work, the use and abuse of history. In it Finley explores the ways that politicians throughout the beginning of time have used history to force forward their own agendas. One wonders if anyone is ever concerned with implementing something new, rather than merely putting new wine in old bottles and hoping the various involved parties will construe it as the some old thing. This is a very dishonest way to carry out business, and Finley is fairly even-handed in his condemnations. However, Finley does avoid answering the larger question, why does the practice continue? I think anyone seeking to understand the real workings of history by one committed to a truthful exploration of the past, rather than someone's hidden agenda (and the best seller lists are frequently filled with these) should sit down and read this fascinating book.