This programme tells a story of two men and a letter. It sets you a puzzle and gives you the sources and advice you need to solve it. You will gain an insight into the way historians approach the study of documents and learn the questions they must always ask of their sources. You will learn a great deal about the issues surrounding the late 1930s government policy of appeasement and rather more about the dangers of accepting written sources at face value.

Together, the sources contained in this package describe a period of mounting tension during the winter of 1937-8. They show how the central characters, Eden and Chamberlain, reacted to the threats posed by Germany, Italy and Japan.

Imagine for a moment that you are a historian. How would you discover the full meaning of the document you were working on?

Why do you think that Eden felt obliged to write this letter, a mixture of excessive courtesy and exposé of National Interests, to Chamberlain at this particular moment?

Sources are always produced for a purpose and written sources are often framed in specific language which reflects the audience. Historians have to 'listen' very carefully to these voices from the past to try to work out exactly what they are saying and why. Documents cannot simply be trusted to speak for themselves. So where should we start?