I’m new to blogging and do not remember the structure of my blog site’s name. However, I do write primarily on history. If you send me an email, when I get back to my computer, I’d like to send you further thoughts.
Your comment about the writers of history is an interesting one because it feeds into my thesis that Santaya had things backward. I believe that power elites study history in order to replicate whatever led to “victory.” Victory is the acquisition, the protection of, and the aggrandizement of power. I really don’t think it important to generalize about who the writers of history are or were. I believe they were observers of recent events and had access to the Power Elites of the time to obtain their views of the events of their day. Or they were observers with a bent for communicating what they believed was important information to future generations. ALso, because religion played so important a part in the transmission of history, it is wise to incorporate their perceptions of “victory” as well as their need to expand their influence by purveying their views of “historical” events.
I’ll cogitate on your question. I like it. It is important!

Nachum