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“Story” in History

We can study the “facts” of any historical event, time period, or persons but knowing the sequence of events doesn’t help us to understand why things happen or what motivates people to behave as they do.  In order to have a “feel” for history requires story.

Local Madison, Wisconsin author Margaret George has developed her talent for telling the story part of history by selecting larger than life historical characters and they writing about their lives.  One of my favorites is Henry VIII.  From studying English history in college my impression of the king was as someone so desperate to have an heir he would and did do anything from a series of beheaded wives and colleagues to breaking with the Catholic Church to create the Church of England. 

Margaret George successfully gives us a holistic picture of Henry and within the context of his character and the mores of the time period, his actions were understandable although not necessarily acceptable.

In Murphy’s Troubles the protagonist, Ian Murphy, struggles with understanding and accepting the role he took in the Irish Troubles.  Alcohol and depression drive him to attempt a failed suicide.  Having his secret life in the Provisional Irish Republican Army exposed forces him to examine his life.  It is through Ian Murphy that I tell the story of the period known as the Troubles that lasted 30 years.