Saga - 2002, Page 199

HÖFUM VIÐ GENGIÐ TIL GÓÐS?
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the discovery of new elements. History was considered a „science", which
is a far cry from the subjective approach found at the end of the century
and, at worst, the extreme, post-modem rejection of objective, historical
facts. A similar difference between the optimistic view of the future at the
start of the century and the more cautious or even pessimistic approach of
today is also mentioned. The authors, especially, Mazower, Hobsbawm
and Glover, demonstrate that the history of twentieth century does
indeed warrant caution. Glover, especially, focuses on the dark side of the
human soul, and Has no difficulty in finding evidence of human capaci-
ty for evil. It could be said, however, that he over-emphasises the Nazis
and the Holocaust. That dark episode, however, strengthens his argument
that even the supposedly most „civihsed" peoples may tolerate and take
part in monstrous atrocities. Mazower's chapter about the sad fate of
Germans after the Second World War is also thoughtful, as is his and
Glover's general discussion about the „good side" causing suffering and
death in conflicts (for instance, the bombing raids on Germany during the
war).
The article concludes with some thoughts about how the historians of
the future will look at the twentieth century. Today's authors can be harsh
in their judgements about colonial rule in the nineteenth century, for
instance, while European ruling classes at the time were convinced that
their policies would benefit the natives. Will future historians be as criti-
cal about some aspects of the twentieth century? Finally, it is pointed out
that Iceland is never mentioned in these overviews on Europe and the
world in the „age of extremes", arguably the most murderous epoch in
the history of man so far, an indication that small is not only beautiful, but
perhaps also fortunate.