Thanks, I had mistaken your reference.

I still doubt if there is any substance to his attribution – have emailed him to ask for a source but.

I like the Devil’s Dictionary (as so often!):

HISTORY, n. An account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools.
Ambrose Bierce, writer (1842-1914)

Other history references:
http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_history.html