“So this was the big secret historians keep to themselves: historical r...” — Nancy Horan Quote

“So this was the big secret historians keep to themselves: historical research is wildly seductive and fun. There's a thrill in the process of digging, then piecing together details like a puzzle.”

“I always use primary sources, in addition to reading biographies and other materials.”

“If someone had told me in high school that one day I'd write an historical novel, I would have rolled my eyes.”

“No matter what kind of writing you do, it's always the details that make the story.”

“If 300 million people were to offer up the details of their private lives, you would need to hire another 300 million people just to keep up.”

“Part of the reason I wanted to write a novel was that in fiction I could do something that's difficult to do in real life, which is to dwell on the stark details of the experience without really needing to create that narrative of redemption.”