There is an interesting little book called "Memories of Ancient Israel" by Philip R. Davies, R/S. In effect he argues that what passes for "history" is really the cultural memory of what societies wish to remember. He gives the following example.
Most Americans attribute victory over the Germans in WWII to D-Day and George Patton. Even though they knew it AT THE TIME they have systematically lessened the impact of the Russians and the Eastern Front. Many Americans who will admit that there was significant fighting in the East will still maintain that it was only American assistance that allowed the Russians not to be overrun. In the Pacific, they have completely ignored the the contributions of the British, New Zealanders, Australians....and most of all the Chinese.
Of course, the British don't get off scot-free. They seem to forget that at Waterloo it was only timely intervention by Blucher and the Prussians which saved Wellington's ass from being a pin cushion for French bayonets.
Most Americans attribute victory over the Germans in WWII to D-Day and George Patton. Even though they knew it AT THE TIME they have systematically lessened the impact of the Russians and the Eastern Front. Many Americans who will admit that there was significant fighting in the East will still maintain that it was only American assistance that allowed the Russians not to be overrun. In the Pacific, they have completely ignored the the contributions of the British, New Zealanders, Australians....and most of all the Chinese.
Of course, the British don't get off scot-free. They seem to forget that at Waterloo it was only timely intervention by Blucher and the Prussians which saved Wellington's ass from being a pin cushion for French bayonets.
