History and its added on glory

To what extend can we believe in history? Or books written on historical figures? In a way it is almost like playing that telephone game where each person hears differently and adds their own perception of it. That is history in a sense.

The documentary "Mustafa" created a great furor at its debut because it depicted the Father of Turkey, President Mustapha Kemal Pasha "Ataturk" as a more human guy who had weaknesses, depression and struggled like everyone of us. Using information garnered from letters and diaries of Mustafa, the documentary focuses more on the personal particulars of this Turkish icon, recounting letters to the ladies in his life, his mother and a certain Corrine. Those that have greatly opposed the film cite that it goes against the glory of his achievements and that this is an inaccurate depiction of a great man. I for one liked the film because seeing Mustafa as a normal human being makes his achievements all the greater simply because it shows that he conquered unbeatable odds.

But regardless of whether it's good or not, the reaction to this documentary makes me wonder how much of what we know of historical figures is actually true given how possessive people are of their forefathers. I mean, to what extend are the stories about America's forefathers true? Where they all that visionary, strong and great or where they normal men looking out for their own and doing the best they can in hard times. How true are the historical accounts of the kings, heroes and illustrious men and women who have walked the faces of time? Or is it all a manipulation of facts and assumptions designed to achieve a particular goal?