Janis Snepsts

Contributing Writer

I am an amateur historian and writer, and a big enthusiast of all things related to history. My other passion is literature. When it comes to combining the two, I have come to be disappointed. Most literature on history is written in either dry academic language, or reduced to pure entertainment, historical fiction, so to speak. There are few history books that would combine scientific informational quality with a language that wouldn't put anyone but hardcore history fanatics to sleep. I believe history would be a fascinating, unbelievably interesting subject to read about, if only there was more quality AND easily-readable literature available, so I have set as my goal to try and make some myself.

Another thing that annoys me in contemporary science of history is political correctness. Any dogmatism and idolatry of an idea is fundamentally detrimental to science, so you will not see political correctness in my works - I believe a historian may have no taboo ideas, views and subjects if his work is to become anything but another piece of the current government's propaganda. I believe that historian has the not only the right, but the duty to challenge taboos and seek out the truth, however uncomfortable it may be. And an amateur historian is in a better position to do that, since his employment and professional reputation is not at stake as would be with a university professor.