Here's why:
* Personal Perspective: Diaries offer a unique window into the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of individuals during historical events. They capture the nuances of everyday life, individual reactions to unfolding events, and personal interpretations of broader historical circumstances. This gives historians a glimpse into the lived reality of the time that official documents may not capture.
* Emotional Impact: Diaries often express raw emotions, anxieties, hopes, and fears related to the events being documented. This provides a more visceral understanding of the impact of historical events on individuals and communities. It allows us to connect with the humanity of the past in a way that other sources may not.
For example, imagine reading a diary entry from a young woman in London during the Blitz. This account could detail her fear of air raids, her longing for her loved ones, and her struggles to cope with the devastation around her. This emotional account offers a much deeper understanding of the human experience of war than a dry official report on bombing casualties.
While diaries offer valuable insights, it's important to remember that they are subjective accounts. They may contain biases, inaccuracies, or incomplete information. Historians must carefully analyze these sources, comparing them with other evidence to provide a balanced and nuanced interpretation of the past.